Ansle Orosco is a junior at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School and a student intern with Jesuit Refugee Service/USA. Once a week in the DC office, she offers her skills to support the Communications, Marketing & Outreach team. She recently reflected on her experience working with JRS and how her family’s story of migration influences her work.

The work-study program at my school has allowed me to build positive habits, learn skills, and make professional connections much earlier in my career than I otherwise would have. This experience will be useful for me in the future when I graduate and begin working full time.

At JRS/USA, I have been able to strengthen my communication and writing skills, better understand how nonprofits work, and witness the value of faith-based organizations in supporting migrants and refugees.

My parents are some of my strongest supporters. They encourage me to always do my best and work hard, two qualities that gave my brothers and me the opportunities we have in the US today.

My parents met while working together at a laundromat in Peru. While my mom took more convincing, my dad fell for her right away. My mom loved traveling, so she went to Chile and worked for a family as a nanny. There, she found out she was pregnant and decided to return to Peru to tell my dad the news. She always wanted to give her children better opportunities than what she had. With her eyes set on the American dream, she traveled to the US alone because it was all they could afford at the time. My dad would not be able to join her for another four years.

I can’t imagine how alone and scared she must have been. My mom had family lived here already, and they offered her a place to stay but they did not support her pregnancy. Feeling hurt and betrayed, she knew she could no longer live with them and slept on the streets for a few nights. Eventually, she connected with others from Peru who became her support system. A woman offered her a place to stay and a job so that she could begin rebuilding her life. My mom is the strongest and most determined person I know. She essentially built a whole new life here by herself.

Now, she and my dad have three children. My oldest brother has already graduated from college and works a steady job while pursuing a PhD in finance. My twin brother and I are almost done with high school and preparing to apply to colleges in the fall. My parents are very proud of us.

Working at JRS helped me better understand the diverse experiences of forcibly displaced people and the struggles that many face. I often think about my parents whenever I hear about refugees trying to survive in a new country without support. Even though every story is different, the feelings of fear, determination, and being an outsider can be very similar. I feel a strong connection with JRS because I know that behind every story is a person trying to build a better life for themselves and their children, just like my mom did.

My mom’s determination and sacrifice motivate me to try my best in everything I do. Whether I am working or doing homework, I am reminded that I am doing this not only for my future, but also to honor everything my parents went through to get us to this point. I do not want their sacrifices to be in vain. My parents’ story has also helped me understand why organizations like JRS are so important, not only because they provide services, but because they also advocate for policies that support people who are trying to rebuild their lives.

Once I graduate high school in 2027, I plan to pursue a nursing degree. My experience at JRS has helped shape the way I think about my future. After learning about JRS’s model of accompaniment, I realized that nursing is not just about treating wounds, but also about providing emotional support and making sure patients feel seen and cared for.

Seeing how much my mom sacrificed continues to motivate me to work hard for the things I want. I want to help others, give back to my community, and make my family proud. More than anything, I want to carry forward the same strength, compassion, and determination that my parents showed when they came to this country to build a better future for our family.

Do you know a teen who would like to intern at JRS/USA? We take applications on a rolling basis for part-time high school juniors and seniors as well as college and graduate school students. Learn more here.