Romina was a Writing Consultant Intern for the Writing and Research Center at BYU during Winter 2025.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
My internship at BYU's Research and Writing Center further increased my passion for the writing craft. I participated in readings, reflections, and meetings aimed at understanding writing as an individual process which challenged my perception of what good, effective writing is supposed to be. The internship not only made me grow as a tutor and writer, but also as a human being. I was constantly reminded of my role as a guide, not a censor, which encouraged me to be curious and ask questions about wording, intention, and perspective, rather than minimizing writers to words on a page.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
Nobody's first language is writing.
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
My plans for the future have not changed, but have been reinforced. My professional goal has always been to be a university professor; this idea has been reinforced by rediscovering my love for teaching, for listening and guiding my peers to discover their own passion—all of these made possible through the tutoring craft.
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
As an international student, it is hard to find places to belong. However, the RWC feels like a second home to me. The Writing Center is all about conversation. It is a space where I can challenge and be challenged by my peers without fear of judgment. During our internship meetings, I was constantly reminded of writing as the conversation of mankind, meaning that all opinions are valuable, intelligent, and should be taken into account. That's why all perspectives, including mine, are welcome and explored as it adds layers to any argument.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
Yes, and all majors are welcome. Interning at the RWC makes you a better thinker, and the knowledge we gain can be applied to any field of study. Also, being a collaborative space, the work environment is perfect for building connections and working as a team to enhance the college experience.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
The Multilingual Writing tutorial is an opportunity for ESL students to further develop their writing skills. Unfortunately, I was not aware of the existence of this program until later in my college experience. I think it would be important to make this information present to ESL students, as it would provide them with the soft and hard skills required in the rigorous programs at BYU, and also offer them a place of belonging on campus.
