2023

Q&A: Kenny Tran ’25 Discusses His Community-Engaged Internship in Allentown

At the Refugee Community Center near campus, Tran assists with adult English-language classes and makes connections with the students, who hail from a variety of countries.

By: Keanna Peña ’25  Wednesday, March 29, 2023 01:19 PM

Estefania Ruano ’23 and Kenny Tran ’25 outside the Episcopal Church of the Mediator, which houses the Refugee Community Center where both students are interning this semester

This semester, English & creative writing and religion studies major Kenny Tran ’25 is participating in the Office of Community Engagement’s Community Internship Program. The program runs every spring and summer and offers students a stipend as they work with local communities at nonprofits, schools and government organizations. Tran helps K-12 students and adults learn English at the Refugee Community Center, located less than a mile from campus. The Refugee Community Center offers refugees and asylum-seekers free English language classes, citizenship classes and social events.

Why were you interested in this internship with the Refugee Community Center?

When I first started [interning] at the refugee center, I just wanted to help out because I really, really do enjoy community work. I was interested in the prospect of being surrounded by the people who were going there, people from different countries such as Sudan, Pakistan, Cuba, Ukraine and more. I was curious to see how these different people who speak different languages are able to work together. 

What are you doing as part of your internship?

My boss assigns me to work with the adult students. I help students learn how to write and speak in English. I mainly work with the intermediate students, and I walk around and assist them with homework and concepts. 

What is a typical day like?

Students can drop in anytime they want, so we don’t know who's coming. I sometimes take attendance and it’s a whole crowd of people. After everyone is checked in, everyone introduces themselves, and then we go straight to class. At this point, my boss assigns me a group, usually around 10 students, and we go over the lessons. And during class, since all of them speak different languages, you’ll have five different languages spoken at the same time. It is hard to keep up sometimes, but it’s very interesting to hear.

What are you learning from your internship?

Working here is a humbling experience. It teaches you how to be flexible, adaptable and patient with people. I’m really grateful to be there. After the internship is over, I plan on continuing my work as a volunteer because I really have connected with the students emotionally.