Photo credits to @midtownutica on Instagram.

Never in a million years did I expect the Midtown Utica Community Center (MUCC) to become my second home, now that I reflect on my time interning for them in my last spring semester of my freshman year. 

I first met the staff of MUCC at last year’s Involvement Fair, where they were tabling and had a spinning wheel and a few other translation games. During two of my interviews, I was given the option to tutor for adult refugees in English-learning classes, or mentor a student for their afterschool program. I had tutored many of my own siblings before and thought I would best fit the role of a tutor for their afterschool program. I am so happy I did.

I was overly excited to begin working, although interning for MUCC did not quite feel like a job at all. It was an experience that altered my concept of a job completely. I would even describe it as going to afterschool myself with the way I was learning about new people, and participating in some of the activities the students would do.

A normal day for me looked like heading over to the building, and helping to set up with another tutor, Grizz. We set up tables, organized the space to the best of our ability and handed out name tags when students arrived. I was responsible for many small tasks, such as tracking attendance, having enough supplies out, leading a group of children to the restroom and more. 

My time spent could not have been more rewarding, more delightful and anything other than lovely. Each day, I woke up with the intention to be the best possible tutor, and someone others could rely on. I saw myself in many of the children, with their playful selves and their shyness disappearing when they were having fun in an activity they liked. 

It is a bummer that my schedule this semester doesn’t permit me to intern once more, but I intend to visit whenever I get the chance, to help wherever I can and hopefully return to them soon. I consider many of the other tutors some of my best friends, and admire all the people in administration, including my supervisors: Nurallah Alawsaj, Kay Klo and Renee Wah, to name a few. 

MUCC makes everyone feel like family, and it is an environment I always enjoy being around. Anyone interested can visit https://www.midtownutica.org/ to find out more information and submit an interest form.