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"Empowering Hispanics, Latinamericans &
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"Empowering World's Agents of Change" Internship & Leadership Training and Development (EACILD)
Interns Experiences with Americas Global Foundation
Please note that Americas Global Foundation (AGF) was The Americas Foundation (TAF)
The following are some of the experiences of AGF's Interns in their own words:
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Interns: Jose Machado from Venezuela, Xin Liang and Ligina Gong in the office of Congressman Thomas Davis -David Martin, Legislative Aid |
Interns: Ligina Gong Xing Liang, Jose Machado in the office of Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen -Mauricio Tamargo, Chief of Staff | Argentinian Interns Martin Arrizabalaga, Rodolfo Olenchuk at Mexican Embassy with Commercial Attache |
TAF's Volunteer Students from Cesar
Chavez Charter School |
Ligina Gong
Intern from China
Washington Semester
American University
As a student from China at American University, majoring in International Business The
Americas Foundation (TAF) was the second place of my internship in Washington DC. My
great interest was to get marketing planning experience to complement some of my product
promotion experience in China. Thus, I was eager to acquire more marketing strategy
experience in my internship. And, The Americas Foundation was the right place for
me to do so. TAF offered me a valuable opportunity to gain the practical experiences that
I needed.
During the one and a half months of internship at TAF, I was so glad to become involved in
TAF’s “Empowerment -Agents of Change” Internship and Leadership
Development Program, as I was asked to assist Mr. Victor Pinzon in the program promotion
and planning. These experiences enriched my thinking of promotion, not only of the product
itself, but also of the services and benefits the internship program offers. Thus, I
gained experience, which relates and complements exactly what I have learned in the
International Business course; such as media strategy in advertisement, the service trade
sector and the logistic sector.
Helping to organize the Speaker Series conferences, communicating with the media,
researching on the Internet were also my other duties at TAF. I was pleased that I had the
opportunity to visit Capitol Hill and meet with U.S. government officials. When I helped
organize the Conferences on Capitol Hill, I had to make phone calls to some U.S.
Congressmembers and Ambassadors to invite them to be speakers or panelists. Thanks to this
experience and practice, I substantially improved my oral English language, communications
and telephone skills. Additionally, I increased my computer skills working at TAF. I had
the opportunity to help Mr. Pinzon to edit TAF’s web page using Front Page,
PhotoShop, QuarkXpress and other software; to send faxes using Card Scan and Win Fax
software. Besides, I was in charge to take digital camera pictures of TAF’ special
events or news, and other such as the series of " the Nightmare of TAF's
offices" unusual history.
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to work in The Americas Foundation and to
work with Mr. Pinzon. After my experience here, I found that TAF is a unique place for
business students to do their internship. Because once you work here, you will know that
you can have lots of opportunities to learn and work by yourself on business issues and
acquire other skills. I found that the experience I gained at TAF are very basic but an
extremely valuable and necessary instrument for my future career.
Thank you The Americas Foundation, and thank you Mr. Pinzon.
Ligina Gong
November 27, 2001
Chinese Interns-Ligina
Gong, Sindy Liang with Victor Pinzon at US Capitol
Sindy Liang,
Intern from China
American University
I have done my internship for more than eight weeks at The Americas Foundation,
where I learned a lot of things. When I was in China, I never had chance to do an
internship. I just studied in the university, where I could not get practical experience.
While studying at American University, I had the opportunity to do the internship at TAF.
I am very glad to have done so.
During my internship at TAF, I learned different valuable skills: computer skills that
included Internet, MicrosoftWord, Excel, Power Point, QuarkXpress, PhotoShop; how to
communicate with Corporate Sponsors, with U.S. Government officials, Ambassadors,. with
Foundation's members and others; and other office practices and procedures. I had various
opportunities to meet with U.S. Congressmembers, potential sponsors and others.
I helped Mr. Pinzon on the details organizing various programs and events, such as:
Organizing the Speaker Series on Capitol Hill - Inviting Congressmembers and Ambassadors
to be speakers.
Communicating with Foundation's members, sponsors, corporate executives and individuals.
Following-up on all aspects of the work I was assigned to do
Researching information about the programs; as well as issues and topics in the Internet
Mr. Pinzon gave me a lot of opportunities to practice and improve my English language. I
improved my oral English faster. He often taught me how to call the sponsors, Congress
members, ambassadors and others, employing the best manners and effectiveness, and how to
make notes clearly and carefully for follow-up.
I helped Mr. Pinzon in his “Empowerment -Agents of Change” Internship
and Leadership program, how to promote and develop it. Mr. Pinzon taught me a lot of about
marketing, advertising and promotion; and taught me how to follow up step by step.
In summary, I got excellent and valuable experience at The Americas Foundation.
It included language, internet and computer skills; office skills, communication skills
and marketing knowledge.
After my experience as an intern at The Americas Foundation, I know that I have
acquired very valuable and useful knowledge which I will apply in my future studies and in
my life.
Sindy Liang
November 27, 2001
August 29, 2001
Ms. Loula Kinna
IGMR
2033 K Street, NW, Ste. 230
Washington, DC 20052
RE: Internship Completion
Dear Ms Kinna:
On behalf of The Americas Foundation, I am delighted to herein
confirm that you have successfully completed an Event Management practicum experience with
our Foundation. During this practicum experience you helped us with some of the
logistics organizing The Americas Heritage Festival2001 and thereby gained
experience in the following skill areas:
* Research and database creation on hotel executives as potential event
sponsors.
* Brainstorming and idea generation on sponsorship and event logistics.
* Collection of event information.
* Research on event and its parent organization.
* Logo design for event.
* Layout, design and production of event publication, to meet the
content, audience, and marketing needs of
the event and our Foundation.
I thank you for your dedication, work quality and professionalism. In
my opinion, you are well suited for the Event Management profession as demonstrated by
your successful practicum experience. Accordingly, I am pleased to provide this letter of
reference.
Sincerely,
Victor Pinzon
President /Founder
cc: Alice Conway, CSEP
The George Washington University
The Event Management Certificate
Program
Phillip Borschow
Intern from St. Mary's University, San Antonio Texas through
American University
IDB's President Enrique Iglesias
& Philip Borschow
Have you ever had that feeling of, "Wow, I am right in the middle of this," when
you are involved in something that is growing and changing? It is a great feeling and I
would say that it is the summit of the virtual mountain of influences on the culture of my
office.
The Americas Foundation is a Latin/Hispanic interest driven organization and this forms the wide base of culture at the bottom of the mountain. Aside from the emotional and ethnic influences are the day to day quirks that shape culture. The office itself is more casual than formal. We are in an English basement underneath a law firm.
A team attitude is most certainly prevalent in the office. This moment is truly a turning point in the life of the Foundation. Many things are coming together (things that have been in planning for years). Now, I also was very blessed in that I was placed with the Foundation at the right time. Victor spent years cultivating the political and corporate relationships that the Foundation now enjoys (Presidents of nations, ambassadors, Congress people, CEO's).
So, we decided that the time was right and all factors were in place to expand into a very Hispanic market, Texas. God was at work putting a Texas college student with experience in establishing chartered chapters of organizations with The Americas Foundation. The result is that the charter is written, the St. Mary's University director of student organizations has accepted it, and all I have to do is sign some papers when I get to San Antonio. We figured that since collegiate chapters of other organizations are so successful, we could begin at my university and spread from there.
Now that we are approaching the time for our first annual Americas Heritage Festival and that I am prepared to set the new chartered chapter into motion, a genuine shared excitement is noticeable even among those that work with us outside the office. Since the Foundation is non-partisan, there are no political differences that hamper anyone's enthusiasm for our goals.
With Victor always working on new programs and cultivating the goals of empowerment in every way imaginable, I have been given the opportunity to enter into agreements with other entities. Although we do have a short chain of command, we all make decisions independently of each other in a good number of instances.
Since I started here, I have had some amazing
experiences. My first phone call ever as an intern in DC was to the National Security
Council (NSC). I've had conversations with staffers at the U.S. Congress, the White House,
diplomatic staffers from Latin America. Victor took me to an art opening where I met with
the First Lady of Honduras. Last Thursday, we met with the President of Costa Rica. Victor
has introduced me to people like the president of the US-Mexican Chamber of Commerce and
the president of the Inter-American Development Bank. Never have I had better networking
opportunities. Aside from that, and more importantly, never have I been more saturated
with and surrounded by people and events that are of such importance in my field.
Phillip Borschow
July 23, 2001
Experience of AGF (ATF) Interns
By: Daniel Cardona Robles
Pilar Barbosa Internship Program
Puerto Rico's Legislature Initiative
Interns: Fausto Gortaire &
Daniel Cardona
I. The Americas Foundation –The Place of My Internship
The Americas Foundation (TAF) is becoming an instrument of growth in my life. It is a tool and a vehicle for the Latin American countries to enter effectively into the U.S.A. global market. On the other hand TAF works to help individuals from any minority background to succeed in the U.S.A.; given them the opportunity to be better prepared to take advantage of the many opportunities available to us all. Those two goals are consonants with my points of view on those themes for which I thank God to have given me the opportunity to be part of this effort.During the days I worked at TAF (June 8 to July 30, 1999) I had experiences totally different from my daily duties. Some of those experiences included my help to coordinate meetings, seminars, conferences and special events with important personalities from Latin America, U.S. government officials, the business and academia community in Washington DC. I had the opportunity to work with computer systems completely new to me. I learned to send faxes, to get into Internet, and practice Windows 98, Exel, Power Point, and to develop Data Bases. In addition, I had the opportunity to develop my oral construction and oral recognition of the English language. Also, now as a result of my work with TAF, I am aware of the required steps to request a grant, to submit a proposal, the needed skills and procedures, including the follow up. And, I understand that those grants are more available than they look.
I also worked, at TAF, on numerous other different activities, giving me great insights on the planning, the logistics, and the implementation of certain projects, programs and events, such as:
1. Organized the Monthly Speakers
Series on Capitol Hill
2. Meetings with Commercial and Cultural Attaches of the Americas
3. Communicate and follow up with or on issues involving sponsors, donors:
corporate, other entities and individuals
4. Communicate with potential
Foundation's members
5. Grants proposals, submitting and follow up
6. Interns and volunteers program
7. Donors and to pick up certain donated items
8. Press Releases, issuing and follow up
9. The development of "La Casa de las Americas in Washington", LACAW,
numerous components
I see the Foundation as an instrument of God. God touched Victor Pinzon and put in his adventurer spirit one purpose, to share his knowledge with others. Not to be selfish trying to gain money and high rank for himself, but to be generous in the struggle to contribute to raise up the Latino- Hispanic American and Latin American image and to contribute to their empowerment.
Mr. Pinzon may describe TAF in terms of its vision, mission, goals and projects. But I say that TAF is just people helping people!
HOUSING
The apartment where I stayed, during the internship, was a very comfortable one and
properly equipped with all the minimum appliances needed such as washer /dryer, dish
washer, stove, refrigerator, micro wave oven, coffee maker, bred toaster, iron and iron
board. It had air conditioner water heater, and is located very closed to a metro station,
a shopping mall and a supermarket. It was a quiet place to sleep in a very secure
sub-urban zone of Arlington, VA. I had to share my apartment with other three Washington
Center fellows. It is not easy for adult people to adapt to the situation of provide room
to others in our private space. But I think it was a unique experience of growing and an
important part of this particular educational adventure.
TRANSPORTATION
The metro and bus system is a very efficient one, but the taxis are expensive. Any way,
the taxis are an alternative in an emergency and the emergencies are very often because
the life in DC is too fast. Every body runs. They run in the morning to their jobs and run
back to their homes in the evening.
FOOD
The meals were no a problem. The legislature of Puerto Rico gave me $250.00 every two
weeks for expenses and I brought part of my regular vacation's wages that gave me a good
base to eat well and share with my roommates. There is something stranger: for what you
pay $3.00 in a fast food in Puerto Rico, here you would pay about $3.50 to $4.00, but for
what you pay $10.00 in a fine restaurant in P. R. here in W.D.C. you pay $7.00.
EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS
Evenings and weekends were mine. I went to visit my relatives who live in the U.S.; two
cousins in Virginia, two aunts in Pennsylvania and another aunt in New York. Occasionally
I went swimming in the pool or to play billiard in "our" building's basement.
But most of my spare time, I dedicated it to explore the extraordinary number of museums
and historical sites that Washington DC has. This part of my internship was probably the
one that I treasure most because my hobby is to travel and to learn about other cultures,
and here I had the wonderful opportunity to be in Washington during the Smithsonian's
International Festival. Undoubtedly, Washington is a box of surprises. Every single day
something is happening. The museums are amazing and there are a lot of historical sites to
visit. One day I went to Ford's theater. It was a very interesting experience. The way
that the guide talks about President Lincoln and about the facts that occurred in that
local, makes you feel an enormous respect for that building and for what it represents. My
favorite museum is The Aerospace. No wonder is the most visited in the world, it makes you
go back to your childhood and discover the world again with innocent eyes. But probably
the one that impacted more was The Holocaust's Museum. It really makes me think about what
happened not only to the Jewish, but also to the German people, and I realized that this
was just a portrait of Humanity. The museum shows how cruel it can be for human beings
when our values are weaker than our prejudices.
The four of July's night was something special. Tito Puente gave a "Latin Music" concert. After Tito they introduce the "Queen of Spiritual Music", and she finished praying just before the fireworks spectacular. There were other points on THE MALL that presented different concerts. There was a variety that covered all preferences. At the end a river of people moved to the metro stations. I decided to wait until the stream was weaker and just sat down, when the people flow seemed lower to me, then I enter the metro. It usually works until midnight, but that night it was open even after one o'clock.
One Monday The Washington Center had the great idea of offering us a trip to Baltimore's Aquarium. It was a joyful experience that probably will be unforgettable for all participants. In the Baltimore's waterfront we could visit a submarine, a light boat, and a tall rigged vessel, they form a floating naval museum.
Out of DC I could visit Gettysburg's Battle site. Gettysburg (the town) is a very interesting place. It's full of souvenir and antiques shops and plenty of museums such as a miniature "Panorama" of the battle to a realistic "Wax Museum "that tells you about some of the historical events of the Civil War. This small village provides the visitors one of the most complete views of a historical site that I've seen in the world.
FUTURE PROJECTS
a. Computers:
After my experiences as an intern at The Americas Foundation I feel sufficiently
confident to prepare and submit a grant proposal to get the necessary equipment and
training to teach a group of the Isabel Flores Community High School of Puerto Rico
students the proper use of the computers and the Internet.
b. Educational trips:
I am looking forward to widening the
opportunities of our students to develop their language skills in English. Therefore, I am planning to bring
High School average students from the Conversational English course to the United States
so they could have a valuable immersion experience. In that project TAF is the critical
key for its success because TAF will coordinate and facilitate the community service
program, helping the students to develop and increase their leadership skills, as well as
to help coordinate the other educational activities and housing needs.
THE SEMINAR
A group of selected school teachers from
Puerto Rico, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Legislature, participated in a unique Internship
program in Washington, DC during the summer of 1999. I was assigned to The Americas
Foundation.
During the Internship program, all the members that came from Puerto Rico, we attended a series of conferences and lectures organized by The Washington Center. The purpose of those seminars was to make us aware about the most common issues in the U.S.A. and the process of making and implementing public policy, especially those related to the educational field.
a. SPEAKERS
The following were the speakers at the various seminars:
1) Eugene J. Alpert, Ph.D., Vice
president for academic affairs; The Washington Center.
The Washington Center as a source of
experiential learning
2) David Berg, Legislative Assistant Hon. Carlos Romero Barcelo
Education & the legislative process
3) Ingrid Duran, Executive Director Hispanic Congressional Caucus
Institute
Education & and the legislative Process (II)
4) Dr. Margarita Benites, Consultant U.S. Department of Education
A look at "GEAR UP" (Bilingual education program)
5) Deborah Santiago, Deputy Director White House Initiative
The White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
6) Miriam Cruz, Executive Director Equity Research Corporation
Bilingual Education
7) Joan Hecksler, Community Alliance for Youth Action
Education and Community Development
8) Dr. Jean Rodriguez, Interamerican University
Bilingual Education (II)
9) Dr. Jaime Zapata, (Vice President NABE)
How to Frame the Issue of Bilingual Education
b. Assignments
Some of the afternoons we attended a formal
course in leadership with Dr. Kyle Farmbry. We had to develop different home works
including the study of an important issue to create the proper public policy for its
eventual solution and other theme papers. One of the most significant assignments was to
visit the Holocaust Museum. It certainly makes you think of the incredible potential of
the human beings for the violence and how far we (the humanity) can reach when our values
are not stronger than our prejudices. That precisely inspired us when we chose the theme
for our "Policy Paper". My group did a study on death penalty. The controversy
level of such theme was so big, that we divided ourselves into two groups. While two of us
were in opposition to death penalty, the other two were in favor. That allowed us to
re-evaluate our personal conclusions and to express that the most adequate consensus in
this case was a serious compromise to achieve some responsible actions with respect to
death penalty.
Daniel Cardona Robles
Programa Pilar Barbosa Internship
Legislatura de Puerto Rico y The Washington Center
I. EL PROGRAMA
Un grupo selecto de profesores Puertorriquenos, patrocinados por la
Legislatura de Puerto Rico, participaron en un programa de Internship en Washington, DC
durante el verano de 1999. Yo fui asignado a The Americas Foundation.
Durante el programa Internship, todos los miembros que vinimos de
Puerto Rico, asistimos a una serie de conferencias y seminarios organizadas por The
Washington Center. El proposito de los seminarios fue para informarnos de los temas mas
importantes del momento en los Estados Unidos y el proceso de establecer e implementar
politicas, especialmente en el area de educacion.
II. The Americas Foundation -El Lugar de mi Internship
The Americas Foundation (TAF) se ha convertido en un instrumento de
crecimiento en mi vida. Es un instrumento y vehiculo para los paises de Latino America
entrar al mercado global, especialmente los Estados Unidos. TAF asiste personas de los
grupos minoritarios a desarrollarse exitosamente en los E.U., ayudandolos a prepararse
adquiriendo las herramientas necesarias para tomar ventaja de las valiosas oportunidades
que existen. Esos dos objetivos son criticos en mi vision sobre estos temas, por lo cual
agradezco a Dios el haberme dado la oportunidad de ser parte de este esfuerzo.
Durante los dias que trabaje para TAF, Junio 8 a Julio 30, 1999,
adquiri una experiencia totalmente diferente a mi rutina diaria. Algunas de esas
experiencias incluyeron mi ayuda en coordinar reuniones, seminarios, conferencias y
eventos especiales con importantes personalidades de America Latina, oficiales del
gobierno de los E.U, empresas, sector privado, academia y otros en Washington, DC. Tuve la
oportunidad de trabajar con computadores, sistemas completamente nuevos para mi. Aprendi a
enviar faxes, entrar en Internet, aprender Windows 98, Excel, Power Point y desarrollar
Bancos de Datos. Ademas, tuve la oportunidad de desarrollar mi proficiencia del idioma
Ingles -estructura y reconocimiento oral/auditivo. Tambien, como resultado de mi trabajo
con TAF, ahora reconozco los pasos requeridos para obtener un “grant”, como
prepararlo y presentarlo, las necesarias habilidades y proceso, incluyendo el seguimiento
para lograr el resultado. Yo ahora entiendo que esos “grants” son mas
alcanzables de lo que parece.
En TAF tambien trabaje en numerosas otras actividades, obteniendo
conocimintos en planificacion, logistica e implementacion de ciertos proyectos, programas
y eventos, tales como:
1. Organizar la Serie de Conferencias en el Capitolio, Congreso de los
EU.
2. Organizar las reuniones con los Agregados Comerciales y Culturales
de Latino America, Espana y Portugal
3. Comunicarme y hacer seguimiento con patrocinadores, donantes y
participantes para programas y eventos
4. Comunicarme con miembros potenciales de la Fundacion
5. Ayudar con propuestas de “Grants”, entregarlos y hacer el
seguimiento
6. Trabajar en el programa de desarrollo con Interns y Voluntarios
7. Trabajar con Donantes y ayudar a recoger materiales y valores
donados
8. Ayudar a producir Notas y Comunicados de Prensa, enviarlos y hacer
seguimiento con los medios
9. Contribuir en algunos detalles del exitante y ambicioso proyecto de
"La Casa de las Americas in Washington"
Yo veo a la Fundacion como un instrumento de Dios. Dios toco a Victor
Pinzon y puso un proposito en su espiritu aventurero: comunicar y repartir sus
conocimientos y experiencia a otros. No buscar predomino personal ni buscar dinero como un
fin ni alto prestigio personal, pero ser generoso en la lucha y retos contribuyendo a
realzar la imagen y obtener el empoderamiento de los Hispano / Latinos y de Latin America.
El Senor Pinzon quiza describa a TAF en terminos de su vision, mision,
objetivos y metas. Pero yo digo que The Americas Foundation es simplemente una
organizacion de personas ayudando a otras personas!
III. FUTUROS PROYECTOS
a. Computadores
Despues de mi experiencia como intern en The Americas Foundation me
siento suficientemente capaz de preparar y pedir un “grant” para obtener el
equipo y materiales necesarios para ofrecer un programa de capacitacion del uso de
computadores e Internet a estudiantes de Isabel Flores Community High School de Puerto
Rico.
b. Excursiones Educacionales
Quiero ayudar a ofrecer oportunidades a nuestros estudiantes a
desarrollar su proficiencia del idioma Ingles. Planeo seleccionar un grupo de estudiantes
para un curso de immersion de Ingles conversacional en Washington, DC. En este proyecto
TAF es critica en el exito del mismo, porque TAF coordinara y facilitara todos los
aspectos y logistica del programa. TAF ayudara al desarrollo de liderazgo y otras
actividades de los estudiantes durante la estadia en Washington, DC, como tambien y muy
importante ofrecerles y darles el respaldo y network, despues de regresar a Puerto Rico.
Please note that Americas Global Foundation
was The Americas Foundation (TAF)
Contact: Americas Global Foundation
930 M Street, NW suite 609
Washington, DC 20001
202-371-9696 Fax: 202-216-9595
vicpinzon@aol.com
Copyright © 1996-2002
ALTEX for The Americas Foundation. All rights reserved.