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Letter From the Editors
Yoldas & Grace
Dear Reade Hap well deserve semester. W TheLOOK in tion have be but about th involved and College, we context of fa in-Chief, alo utors and w content in th to focussing contributors We are so b diligent exe sible. Althou tasks, our te is required. pictures of i Instagram, o Keegan ’18, her commitm The main ta been that w are constan ences. Thes conscious a models we been put to to showcas
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Dear Readers, Happy New Year! We hope you all ers, enjoyed your well deserved Winter break and are ppy New Year! We hope you all enjoyed your ready to tackle second semester. We’re thrilled to ed Winter break and are ready to tackle second with you youthe thefirst firstissue issueofof TheLOOK in 2018. We’re thrilled to share share with Since our last issue, we as an organization have n 2018. Since our last issue, we as an organizabeen thinking critically about een thinking critically about not only this issue,not only this issue, but the future magazine. Being in a he future of our about magazine. Being of in our a politically politically involved and dynamic environment that is d dynamic environment that is Connecticut Connecticut College, we wanted e wanted our magazine to reflect just that in the our magazine to reflect just that in the context ashion and lifestyle. Both of us, as Co-Editors-of fashion and lifestyle.board and our contribong with our executive of us, Co-Editors-in-Chief, along writers wanted to involveBoth a variety of as different his publication.with We have made a commitment our executive board and our contributors g on a variety ofand issues that wanted both weto and our a variety of different writers involve s are involved incontent and highly passionate about. in this publication. We have made a comblessed to workmitment with suchtoafocussing determined onand a variety of issues that both ecutive board which makes process poswe and our this contributors are involved in and highly ugh everyone has their ownabout. specific roles passionate We areand so blessed to work with eam constantlysuch continues to go beyond what executive board a determined and diligent Whether it is our members sending us dailypossible. Although which makes this process inspired outfits everyone on campus to feature on specific our has their own roles and tasks, our or our amazing team PR & constantly Marketing Director Haley continues to go beyond what is , who made our photoshoots possible due to required. Whether it is our members sending us ment, flexibility and hard work. daily pictures of inspired outfits on campus to akeaway of our 2017 publication processes has feature on our Instagram, or our amazing PR & we as individuals and members of a larger club Marketing Director Haley Keegan ’18, who made ntly learning and growing from these experiphotoshoots possible due to her commitment, se opportunitiesour to grow have made us more flexibility and hard work. about what goes into the publication; from the we write. The main takeaway pick to the articles This issue has of the publication processes in 2017 has been ogether with those thoughts in mind. We aim that we as individuals and members of a larger club are constantly se not only the diverse and different fashion learning and growing from these experiences. These opportunities to grow have made us more conscious about what goes into the publication; from the models we pick to the articles we write. This issue
has been put together with those thoughts in mind. We aim to showcase not only the diverse and different fashion styles on campus, but to talk about complex and dynamic issues within the fashion industry. Inside these pages you will be taken on a trip through our contributors favorite places around the world, from Victoria Slater’s favorite treats in Paris, to Shae Albertson’s review of a cozy café in Nantucket. Merging away from lifestyle and moving into fashion, this issue features an interview of Tskenya, a native from Yoldas’ home borough of Hackney, who has started her own gender neutral fashion brand. In addition to our focus on fashion in this issue, we feature a very exciting article, written by our Executive Web Designer & Executive Producer Elizabeth Powell, about her experience in attending The Forces of Fashion event in New York. On top of all these stories, Nayla Tohme who has modeled and contributed to the publication in the past, reports about her experiences during her CISLA summer internship working with Gynecology Without Borders in France. We hope that you are inspired by this colorful, dynamic, and thought provoking issue. If you have any questions, recommendations, or concerns please feel free to email either of us (Yoldas: yyildiz@conncoll.edu, Grace: gcarapez@ conncoll.edu). We would like to leave with the words of Gianni Versace - “Don’t be into trends. Don’t make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, what you want to express by the way you dress and the way you live.” Yours, Yoldas & Grace
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1 Grace Carapezzi’s Pick, Herringbone and plaid culottes “It’s official, I am crazy for culottes! These pants transition from day to night seamlessly and are a staple in my closet this season.” Price: $39.99+ Available at Zara and Asos 2 Yoldas Yildiz’s Pick, Sprezzabox “Sprezzabox is a subscription service for $25 a month where you get a variety of items delivered to you. I started this service two months ago and in my first month I received a watch worth $150, a tie worth $50, a pocket square worth $25, socks and a fancy pen. You could get your first box for 50% and wrap each item as a gift! It’s a great way to save money while receiving amazing gifts every month for a fraction of the price!” Price: $25 a month Available at: Online at Sprezzabox 3 Adam Goldberg’s Pick, Dolce & Gabbana’s, “Light Blue” “A great scent.” Price: $30.00+ Available at: Macy’s, Sephora, Amazon 4 Alana Wimer’s Pick, Grassroots Natural Candles “This candle is AWESOME! It is made with all natural soy wax and essential oils. Perfect to enjoy at home, or to give to friends.” Price: $18.00+ Available: Online at Grassroots Natural Candle Co 5 Elizabeth Powell’s Pick, UO Callie Fuzzy Zip Jacket “may not belong to my own closet, but Alana’s faux fur coat is a staple for me during colder nights. Fitting with this issue’s theme on faux fur, I love that this coat can keep people warm and on trend” Price: $89.00 Available at: Urban Outfitters 6 Victoria Slater’s Pick, Jumbo Pink Scarf “I don’t leave my apartment without wearing this Pimkie scarf nowadays! Paris is as chilly as New England in the fall, and I bundle up with this scarf. Anyone who knows me knows I love pink; this scarf is a perfect combo of cute and useful, as it is also super soft and long and ready to fight the cold weather with me.”Price: $15.00+ Available at Asos, Zara, Pimkie 7 Hayley Zuckerberg’s Pick, Versace Yellow Diamond Perfume “I love wearing this fresh, vivid, floral perfume by Versace! The fragrance is light, but it glistens with a citron sparkling scent.” Price: +/- 40$ Available at: Macy’s, Sephora
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Contents
07 16 26 30
Around The World
Faux Fur
The Forces Of Fashion
Interview with Tskenya-Sarah Frazer
34 44 48
A Countour for Your Winter Blues: A Pop of Color
Living Room of Thier Own
Internships Abroad
Acknowledgments Co-Editors-in-Chief
Executive Copy Editors
Contributors
Yoldas Yildiz &
Jake Philbin-Cross &
Shae Albertson, Kayla Glemaud,
Grace Carapezzi
Loulou Broderick
Haley Keegan, Elizabeth Powell,
Executive Web Designer
Events Director:
Shea Shawgo-Manley,
& Executive Producer
Hayley Zukerberg &
Victoria Slater, Nayla Tohme,
Elizabeth Powell
Victoria Slater
Marianna Wells
Creative Layout Director
Head Photographer
Stylists
Alana Wimer
Christian Carr-Locke
Shae Albertson, Madison Barker,
PR & Marketing Director
Assistant Photographer
Samantha Barth, Chloe Hunwick,
Haley Keegan
Helen Fulmer
Haley Keegan, Hayley Zukerberg
Financial Director
Models
Adam Goldberg
Yabsira Adera, Chiara Gero,
Senior Stylist
Chloe Hunwick, Carter Laible,
Madison Barker
Juliet Levesque, Daniel Mark, Amanda Yacos
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Around the World
TheLOOK has a mouthful for you! Jet-setting in 2018? Here’s a few of our favorite eateries in your favorite cities. 7
Chicago
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Hampton Social
There is a seemingly infinite number of amazing places to eat in the Chicago area, but one of my favorites is The Hampton Social. This eatery is located in downtown Chicago at 353 W Hubbard Street. The restaurant is heavily inspired by the East coast, from the cuisine to the interior decoration. String lights, hanging planters, and nautical objects enrich the atmosphere of the restaurant. In summer, an entire wall of windows is opened up, creating the feeling of an outdoor patio restaurant. The food ranges from a classic lobster roll to fried chicken topped with house-made rose glazed doughnuts. There are a number of other unique dishes on their menu, as well as an assortment of fabulous cocktails for those 21 and older. The Hampton Social is one of many favorite dining locations of mine and I highly recommend paying it a visit.
Text Shea Shawgo-Manley Images Shea Shawgo-Manley 9
New Yor Dos Caminos
Located in Soho at 475 West Broadway, this Mexican restaurant is best known for its intimate setting with exposed brick, soft string lights, and live music. People love their fresh guacamole made to order at the table with homemade tortilla chips and a variety of sauces. One of my favorite dishes there is the crab molotes served with a lemon habanero aioli sauce, accompanied by yellow rice, black beans, and cheese. Their dessert and drink menus are just as popular as their main courses, with a wide range of traditional Mexican flavors. Dos Caminos has many vegetarian options and accommodations can be made for those with other dietary restrictions. Overall this is a great spot to visit if you’re ever in New York City!
Text Kayla Glemaud Images Kayla Glemaud
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Nutella Crepes
Paris
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I know those of you who follow me on any social media platform have at least gotten a whiff of my semester abroad. I really do overload my Instagram and Snapchat-stories. I would apologize, but don’t you just love seeing the marriage between the ravishing French cuisine and the Parisian architecture that fills your smart phone screen? Either way, I’m here to elaborate on the former. While it may seem stereotypical, an American girl goes to Paris and falls in love, I have to come to terms with it— I’m having a love affair with crepes. Everyone in my program is so used to seeing me with a crepe in hand, we have stopped laughing about it- it’s the norm now. I started off with just nutella, or sugar and butter crepes, but then things got serious and I’ve expanded to banana and nutella— honestly, I will never go back to eating a plain banana again. There’s this place around the corner from where I take classes (see photo), that sells nutella crepes for €2. I repeat: TWO EURO. Please don’t ever give into a €4 or more nutella crepe, I promise you, you should be using those calories for a cheaper crepe or at least a bottle of wine. Anyway, my friends and I refer to the dark-haired young-ish man who runs this amazing joint as “our crepe guy,” since he recognizes us due to our consistent appearances. All I’m saying is, you can’t get crepes like this in
America. Meli-Melo creperie in Greenwich, CT is a kind-of close second, but still not the same. So I’m enjoying them while I can. Fresh baked (literally, they cook the crepe on the pan right in front of you) with warm nutella- you just can’t go wrong. As you can see, I am a fan of the crepe, and you should be too. Contrary to the title of this article, I’m going to talk about one other food as well. Fromage. Oh baby, if for some reason the cook screws up and can’t bury me with a nutella crepe, give me a couple rolls of fromage chèvre (goat cheese). I won’t even dignify to call it “goat cheese,” though, because that U.S. stuff is not the same. Keep in mind, most French cheeses are not pasteurized, but that means they last so much longer! My host family has cheese (with a fresh baguette, bien sûr) almost every night at dinner. Our meal order: salad, main course, cheese, and dessert (usually fruit, thanks for keeping me healthy host fam). There is literally a drawer in our refrigerator always filled with cheese. Now I ponder the question that has been haunting me since I have arrived to Paris, honestly, how am I going to go back to sliced muenster and chunks of Philadelphia cream cheese in the dining hall? My love affair with Parisian cuisine has been sensational, but all good things must come to an end.
Text Victoria Slater Images Google 13
Nantucket
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The Handlebar Café is located on Nantucket, an island 30 miles off the South-East coast of Massachusetts, nestled in a corner on Washington Street. Founded by Nantucket Bike Tours, Handlebar Café allows for the perfect place to foster islander and visitor connections. Jason and Courtney Bridges, year-round island residents, founded Nantucket Bike Tours in 2011, but also have a strong background in the restaurant industry. Bridges hires his staff based on their personality, rather than work experience. The interior of the café is something not offered elsewhere on the island. The wood tables and steel chairs found in the middle of the café offer a great space to engage in meetings and/or reunions with coworkers and friends. Around the edges of the café lie colorful sofas and chairs, used to create more casual, comfortable encounters. The chalkboard at the entrance of the café is usually filled with fun chalk art. Outside the café, dogs and dog lovers can find a bark bar, as well as a tree, lit up with lights, wearing a sweater. The café even has a secret garden. The TV rarely plays
news or shows, but displays advertisements for different events around town and announcements about ACK Clean, which Jason Bridges maintains in coordination with Nantucket Bike Tours and the Handlebar. All the books on the shelves of the café are books Jason or Courtney have read, or books that they want to read, about social encounters and business. As far as the coffee goes, the Handlebar offers some of the best on the island. The café, located on the outskirts of the center of town, is the perfect spot to grab a coffee before a stroll during the holiday season. The staff works extra hard to do their best with latte art, and the café offers other drinks such as matcha, chai, teas, hot apple cider, and steamers. They provide three non-dairy milks: almond, soy, and now, macadamia nut milk. Handlebar even offers Wicked Island Bakery pastries. Morning buns are a favorite for those who buy tins of coffee and have them refilled. The Handlebar Café is open year-round, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m, seven days a week, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.
The Handlebar Café Text Shae Albertson Images Yesterday’s Island 15
FAUX FUR A MOVEMENT NOT A MOMENT
Images Christian Carr-Locke Models: Yabsira Adera, Chloe Hunwick, Carter Laible, Juliet Levesque, Daniel Mark, Amanda Yacos,
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Above Amanda Yacos, Juliet Levesque, Chloe Hunwick Left Page Daniel Mark
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Above Juliet Levesque, Carter Laible Right Page Yabsira Adera
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This Page Daniel Mark Left Page Yabsira Adera, Amanda Yacos
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Carter Laible, Chloe Hunwick, Juliet Levesque, Yabsira Adera, Amanda Yacos, Daniel Mark
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The Forces of Fashion Milk Studios, NYC October 12, 2017
As someone with very little interest in the designing process of creating of clothing, I was intimated by the idea of this event. How could this be a strictly-fashion event with a line up including the CEO of Instagram, an ex-spice girl, and Rihanna? As the title may suggest, this day dove into the many corners of the fashion industry and how it is anything but its shallow reputation. The day started off with Stella McCartney talking of her investment in sustainable production without the use of leather and fur. Her design process works just as much with the technology sector of Silicon Valley as it does with the design studio in New York City. Her words were inspiring in connecting environmental impact with the production process of creating clothing. She set the tone of the day in discussing the horizontal impact of the fashion and beauty industries.
Text Elizabeth Powell Images Vogue 27
Next up was a discussion including Marc Jacobs and Kevin Systrom, the CEO of Instagram exploring the idea of social media acting as a catalyst for any business. Kevin explained how the viral nature of Instagram can spread ideas of art, design, and fashion around the world— while Marc Jacobs admitted to accidentally posting a photo of his bare butt on the platform. That’s a type of universal art, right? As the day continued, head designer of Balenziaga self identified as a sociologist above anything else, and the head designer of Off-White’s first big project worked for the Department of Sanitation in New York City. These designers, innovators and CEOs were becoming much more than a name on a label. Speakers dove into diversity on the runway, cost accessibility of clothing, gender binary norms, aggregate culture expression and its correlation with trends in the fashion industry.
Fashion, as a globalized industry, represents one’s personal identity and has the ability to shape and influence macro-level cultural norms and microlevel self-expression. As the fashion industry influences beauty standards, it has a responsibility to remain socially aware while representing women and men of all colors and sizes. As expected, Rihanna’s words were the most resonating and profound. Speaking of her recent beauty line, Fenti Cosmetics, she discusses how race and makeup can affect those who feel underrepresented. She spoke of looking up to her mother and seeing her struggle with being able to find appropriate shades to match her skin tone. The beauty industry has been notorious for white washing and body shaming; Rihanna, along with the other speakers of this day, are combating this stereotype head-on.
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Interview with Tskenya-Sarah Frazer Tskenya & I both grew up in Hackney and attended Mossbourne Community Academy. She didn’t (and may still not know this) but I looked up to her as a role model throughout secondary school (that’s middle and high school for the American folks). Tskenya was a role model for many people at Mossbourne. A true working class Hackney girl, she had made it through the Mossbourne system, shined brighter every step of the way and succeeded in securing a place at Kings College London to read/ major in English Literature and Language. Throughout her life as cis heterosexual women, Tskenya could never find shoes her size. She started to realize her trans and non-binary friends couldn’t find shoes in their size or feel comfortable walking into some stores to buy their preferred shoes either. Her company, TSKENYA, was born from this, with the mission to include everyone in the narrative where the brand is gender neutral and void of gendered advertisement. Besides providing bomb, on trend, affordable and fashion forward shoes, intersectionality and inclusion are still the main pillars of her brand. I was grateful to grab some of her time while she was busy rapidly growing her amazing brand and fashion line to ask her a few questions.
Text Yoldas Yildiz Images TSENYA
The Founder of TSKENYA 31
Yoldas: How did you come up with the brand? Tskenya: I could never find shoes growing up and grew tired of not being served when I was shopping on the high street. I also was aware that my LGBTQ+ friends couldn’t find shoes either, so wanted to make sure that I created a brand that served them also! Yoldas: How did you make your move into the fashion industry considering you have a degree in English Literature? Tskenya: I literally graduated and realised that I didn’t want to go into
journalism. The lack of diversity in the creative field was depressing and I was continuously turned down for internships. I thought why put my energy into that when I could put my energy into a brand that would change my life and other peoples lives! I started reading and watching YouTube videos about design and the collection was born. I have always been into fashion and live for it! So coming up with the trends was easy. Yoldas: What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the fashion industry as a woman of color? Tskenya: I don’t even know where to start with this question because there are so many challenges. There are very few affluent women of color in fashion and that is because it is an industry that likes to be inspired by women of color but not include us. I know breaking in will be hard, but I am passionate about being a role model and doing this for women of color all around the world. Also, being a woman of color and working class is even harder. During this process I have had to be so resourceful and literally do everything myself. There was no outsourcing, other than manufacturing, so it has been a real hustle but so worth it! Yoldas: We both grew up in Hackney (Pre - gentrification lets add that cause back in our day no way could you roam the streets at midnight) - how has that influenced your designs / company?
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“I love that I come from an eclectic hub of culture, where people are crafty and making something from nothing” Tskenya: Hackney inspires me everyday and it hasn’t inspired the designs directly but it has made me the woman that I am. I love that I come from an eclectic hub of culture, where people are crafty and making something from nothing. I think the grit and the spirit of not giving in or giving up in Hackney is part of my character. I am a true ‘ride or die’ as they say and I will not stop until this brand makes millions of pounds and reaches people in every corner of the globe! Yoldas: What is your best piece of fashion item? Tskenya: This is hard, but I have to say coats in general. I have at least 25 coats and jackets that I wear depending on my mood and the vibe of where I am going. I feel a person’s coat can tell you a lot about them and how they view themselves. My mood is always in flux and I love dressing to cater to it. Yoldas: What are you most excited for in the future? Tskenya: I am exited about having TSKENYA reach people all over the globe and to inspire people to live their truths through the brand. I really just
cannot wait to hear people’s opinion, because essentially I do this for my big-footed siblings! Yoldas: Where do you see your own company, but also fashion heading towards? Tskenya: I see my company heading to the high-street and expanding in to clothing at some point. I am very wary of tempting fate so always keep my dreams close to my chest! Fashion has alot to do, but I think more people at grass root level need to take the plunge and start their own brands. The people at the top will not listen unless we make noise, so it is time for people to shake things up so that the will hear us!
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A Contour For Your Winter Blues A Pop of Color Images Christian Carr-Locke, Helen Fulmer Art Work Alana Wimer Models Miranda DiMase-Nordling, Chiara Gero Rishma Mendhekar,
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Rishma Mendhekar
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Miranda DiMase-Nordling
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Chiara Gero Miranda DiMase-Nordling Rishma Mendhekar
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Chiara Gero
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Miranda DiMase-Nordling
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LIVING ROOM OF THIER OWN
Text Haley Keegan Images Haley Keegan
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Tucked away around the corner on Winchester Road, lies this humble abode. Winchester 7 is home to four senior girls - all who share a similar passion for interior design and fashion. With much collaboration, our vision slowly formed as the summer before school progressed. We wanted something simple, yet bold. Something clean and comfortable. Something modern and chic. Marble details, white walls, grey fabrics, hints of gold, and floor to ceiling windows allowing much natural light, all helped bring our aspired aesthetic to life. Comfort was one of our main goals while decorating - how did we accomplish this? Pillows, pillows and more pillows. You really just can’t get enough. We wanted our home to be inviting; a place where people could snuggle up with a cozy blanket, relax, and catch up over a glass of wine. Not only is it comfortable, but also functional. Along the window covered wall is a spare twin XL, turned daybed. As a result, our visitors have comfortable accommodations living room by day, guest room by night. As big-time holiday lovers, we wanted our home to evolve with the seasons. September through November was all about Fall. These days you can find Christmas accents throughout. We strayed away from the cheesy decorations as that would throw off our vibe. Instead, we searched for elegant and subtle living room additions. With much thought, execution, and the help of TJMaxx and Homegoods, we truly turned our house into a home. Visitors are always welcome. Xo Haley
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“We wanted something simple, yet bold. Something clean and comfortable. Something modern and chic�
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Internships Abroad
Gynecology Without Borders
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I find it difficult to look back to who I was and how I felt before my internship started. Where does my story start? Did it start when I arrived at the offices of Gynecology Without Borders, with two suitcases and an overprotective father? Was it when I visited the dismantled refugee camp for the first time? Or was it the time I got woken up at three in the morning on my third day of work to de-freeze a Kurdish family that was traveling around Europe in a refrigerated truck?
Text Nayla Tohme Images Nayla Tohme 49
I arrived at the offices of Gynecology Without Borders on June 4th as the cliche idealist intern, eager to learn and ready to contribute. Having previously worked at refugee camps as a middle eastern woman of color, I thought I was qualified for the job. Yet, nothing could have prepared me for the summer I was about to have. Gynecology Without Borders is a French NGO that offers medical and psychological treatment to female refugees and migrants that are attempting to cross the border from France to England. The measures they take to cross the border are often life-threatening. Therefore, the team composed of gynecologists, midwives and psychologists are required to provide their services 24/7 due to the high number of emergencies that occur at all times. While the gynecologists and midwives conduct medical consultations in the dismantled refugee camps, the psychologists, the team I worked with, are responsible for managing the emergency shelter, located across the street from our office. Unfortunately, both psychologists left early at the beginning of my internship, so I was left in charge of the shelter for two months. My days would consist of cleaning the shelter, filling the fridge, briefing the migrants on their legal rights, translating medical consultations, building a psycho-social environment, babysitting ‌ my reality changed very quickly. My job was
rendered further difficult due to the political climate of the area. As 75% of the town inhabitants had voted for Marine LePen (the female version of Donald Trump), who built her entire political campaign on the concept of anti-immigration, migrants were not welcomed, and calling for help if anything went wrong in the shelter was not an option. (I am now a fully certified plumber, electrician, firefighter and
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seamstress, by the way). Promoting reproductive health and destigmatizing women’s sexuality with an all women team was incredibly empowering. However, my experience is also tainted with guilt. The guilt that comes with having the privilege to step out from this awful reality, and move on with my life where everything I could possibly need is within reach. My reality has changed drastically over the course
of this year. A few weeks ago, my biggest struggle was communicating to a seventeen year old Eritrean girl that she had a lump in her left breast. Today my main struggle is getting through math homework. My internship had a beginning and an ending, but the refugee crisis has neither. My advice to you is to use Conn’s resources to educate yourself on the matter, it is your responsibility to do so.
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