Nick Andrade
Wrapping up Work
| The last month of work has seemed rather routine. I have felt more like an employee than an intern, and I feel as though I'm a part of the office culture. I'm proud to say that Tiffany and I were able to accomplish just about everything we set out to do on our first day. We compiled the research on corporal punishment, in order to further the Center's efforts to change norms about spanking. We edited and improved both the Resident Clerkship handbook and the Multidisciplinary Team handbook. We raised $8000 dollars for a victim of rape in need. I edited the website, nocac.net, to better represent the Center |
and provide clearer resources to parents. We created online surveys to better evaluate both the medical and child advocacy sides of the CARE Center. We helped prepare the Center for National Children's Alliance site review and accreditation. Finally, we helped enter case information to NCAtrak, the system that Multidisciplinary Team members use to input and access information about cases.
In addition to a lot of hard work, my placement at the CARE Center was full of opportunity. I was able to attend the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) conference. I sat in on lectures on child abuse, human traffic, mandatory reporting, and corporal punishment. I attended meetings of multiple interdisciplinary teams working to prevent and respond to child abuse. I audited the RADAR protocol forensic interviewing course, taught by its developer Mark Everson from UNC. I observed a few real forensic interviews via the monitoring room. Finally, I got certified as a Darkness to Light Steward of Children in order to spread awareness of and help prevent Child Sexual Abuse.
Overall, this internship has been an incredible opportunity and a really valuable experience. I am so glad to have been placed in a Center that does such important work: helping kids in need.
In addition to a lot of hard work, my placement at the CARE Center was full of opportunity. I was able to attend the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) conference. I sat in on lectures on child abuse, human traffic, mandatory reporting, and corporal punishment. I attended meetings of multiple interdisciplinary teams working to prevent and respond to child abuse. I audited the RADAR protocol forensic interviewing course, taught by its developer Mark Everson from UNC. I observed a few real forensic interviews via the monitoring room. Finally, I got certified as a Darkness to Light Steward of Children in order to spread awareness of and help prevent Child Sexual Abuse.
Overall, this internship has been an incredible opportunity and a really valuable experience. I am so glad to have been placed in a Center that does such important work: helping kids in need.
The Last (Large) Bit of Fun
Seeing During this last portion of my stay, I have felt a lot like a local, giving directions to tourists and doing fewer and fewer touristy things myself. Still, there were a few things left to check off the NOLA bucket list! We visited the Oak Alley plantation, which was beautiful. It is a great historical site, though I was uncomfortable with how nonchalantly they talked about the slaves that worked on the plantation. We also took a cruise on Steamboat Natchez, featuring some good food and a jazz band. It was nice to ride along on the Mississippi river and look at New Orleans from afar. | |
In the French Quarter, I explored, visited the French Market, and went on a ghost tour. The ghost tour was a ton of fun and incredibly creepy. Folklore or not, the French Quarter seems pretty haunted! As our tour guide put it, it's been around 300 years so someone has died in basically every building. Creepy.
| Listening As a music lover, I made sure to take advantage of the plethora of live music that New Orleans offers. From street musicians to Beyoncé and Jay-Z, I was more than impressed. One of my musical highlights was playing on stage with the Jazz band of Snug Harbor, with the vocal help of some fellow DukeEngagers. Another was singing along as a number of local bands covered the musical masters that were the Beatles. I even got to see Beyoncé and Jay-Z rock the Superdome. Finally, I sat on the floor of a tight room and enjoyed some traditional Jazz at Preservation Hall. Musically, New Orleans has offered me a lot. |
Goodbyes (For Now)
It's so difficult to think of words to describe my DukeEngage experience as a whole. Amazing doesn't cut it. Neither does enlightening. DukeEngage is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that I am so grateful for. It's opened my eyes to the diversity of culture even within the borders of my home country, to the realities of child abuse, and to the incredible, vibrant, lively place that is New Orleans, Louisiana. I am so blessed to have met great people, done great work, and seen great things.
So many people have been integral to my DukeEngage experience. Ashley and Juan (and baby Juan Jr.!) have been amazing program coordinators. I couldn't ask for better leaders. Muhammad, Steve, Nithin, Johnny, Erica, Payal, Carolyn, Anshu, Paige, Tiffany, Patience, Zoya, Stephanie, and Michelle have been great co-DukeEngagers and even better friends. It's been a pleasure to get to know all of them and I hope to stay in touch back at Duke! Woo reunions! Lastly, Liz, Natashia, Lorrie, Josh, Dan, and all of the CARE Center employees have been so inviting and fun to work with and get to know.
I feel like I know this city. Like I've lived here, not visited. I know street names. I know restaurants. I know landmarks. It's saddening to leave. But if one thing's for sure, I know I'm coming back.
So many people have been integral to my DukeEngage experience. Ashley and Juan (and baby Juan Jr.!) have been amazing program coordinators. I couldn't ask for better leaders. Muhammad, Steve, Nithin, Johnny, Erica, Payal, Carolyn, Anshu, Paige, Tiffany, Patience, Zoya, Stephanie, and Michelle have been great co-DukeEngagers and even better friends. It's been a pleasure to get to know all of them and I hope to stay in touch back at Duke! Woo reunions! Lastly, Liz, Natashia, Lorrie, Josh, Dan, and all of the CARE Center employees have been so inviting and fun to work with and get to know.
I feel like I know this city. Like I've lived here, not visited. I know street names. I know restaurants. I know landmarks. It's saddening to leave. But if one thing's for sure, I know I'm coming back.