Intership Alumni Natascha Shamis

This January, on my third day of the coveted birthright trip, I made the amazing and impulsive decision to move to Israel immediately. I decided to enroll in a 5 month long internship program through MASA. Within exactly 2 months to the day I was packed up and schlepping my way from Boston to Tel Aviv with half my life in a suitcase.

Upon my arrival in Israel, my internship coordinator suggested WIZO, as my personal passion is supporting at-risk youth. It was an easy decision to intern here because I admire what WIZO stands for and the tremendous support the organization provides to women and adolescents in devastating circumstances.

When you walk through the Doors of WIZO, expect the unexpected. It is an accomplished power house of multiple personalities linked together by their shared value of service to Israel’s populations in need.

Besides teaching me some of the ins and outs of working at an NGO, WIZO afforded me the opportunity to visit the USA and Argentina sponsored Youth Village Nir Haemek in Afula, and to meet talented young students that are on the road to defeating unfortunate odds. For me, this was an invaluable reminder as to why I have chosen the field I am in.

In a few short weeks I will be packing up again and heading home to New York City to begin a Masters in Mental Health Counseling. I look forward to becoming a member of the WIZO community there and continuing my support through the Federations in America.

I would like to thank World WIZO for their welcoming arms and teaching me things about life that you most certainly cannot learn in school.

~ Natascha Shamis