Meet Our Intern: Marisol from Colombia South America

Marisol joins UWGLV from her local United Way in Colombia. She will be interning with us for the next 12 weeks and seeks to fully immerse herself in all aspects of our work and enrich her experience with United Way. 
 
1.       How long have you been with/worked at United Way?
 
I have been with United Way in Colombia for 6 years. Three years were spent as a board member and volunteer while I was employed at a United Way partner bank in Colombia. The other three years were spent working as the Regional Director for our local United Way.
 
2.       What is your favorite part about working at United Way?
 
My favorite part about working at United Way is connecting people with opportunities while generating trust from the communities and donors.
 
3.       What do you hope to learn while staying in the Lehigh Valley?
 
I hope to experience life as a professional, adult woman who paused her regular life for three months.  I hope to give myself the opportunity to live a different culture, language and style of work. I want to learn and then return to Colombia with the good practices that UWGLV has taught me in collective impact and fundraising. I also hope to learn a bit of the language and feel a part of the UWGLV family.
 
If I can create a strategy that makes it possible for a person to donate to our education programs from a digital standpoint, I will have solved the biggest challenge that we face in Latin America. I want to bring campaigns like #PeepsUnited to Colombia.
 
4.       What has been your favorite experience here so far?
 
The most unique experience so far has been living with an American family, including five cats, three dogs, two children and grandparents.
 
5.       What are your U.S. family and friends like?
 
My U.S. family is United Way volunteer, Julie Huber’s family, and Priscilla Rosado is my “office buddy” here at the office. Everyone is very nice and also very patient with my fluency in English.
 
6.       Any fun facts about yourself that you’d like to share?
 
I’m an engineer with the soul of social worker! I discovered through working with and at United Way that I am very successful in getting resources for social causes.