Bridging Communities: How ISU Internship Program Supports Refugees in Eastern Idaho

A partnership between Idaho State University and Bridges Idaho is connecting student learning with refugee advocacy, turning internships into meaningful work that strengthens both students and the community.

POCATELLO, Idaho––When Larry Gebhardt talks about his work with Bridges Idaho, a nonprofit organization that supports refugees co-founded in 2016, there is a sense of pride mixed with concern in his voice. The group began as a reaction to protests in Idaho against Syrian refugees. 

 

During a recent interview, he said, “There were protests in Boise, Twin Falls, and so on. And we heard about that and then did research and decided that the attitude, the sort of conservative attitude toward refugees and immigrants, was not welcoming.”

 

Since then, Bridges Idaho has helped immigrants and newcomers from dozens of nations with housing, clothing, food, and a path to self-sufficiency. The organization fills in the gaps left by government programs. It stays in touch with the family throughout time, whether they need help finding an apartment or navigating the complex world of immigration law.

 

As the recent president of Bridges Idaho, Gebhardt is well aware that policy research and advocacy may be just as significant as clothing and furniture donations.  Enter Idaho State University's Career Path Internship (CPI) program. Since its inception in 2011, the CPI program has paid students to gain real-world experience in the fields in which they are studying. Internships can take place on campus or in the community and are designed to be valuable experiences that help develop the skills necessary for the workforce. The program is one of the largest of its kind in the western United States, offering approximately 900 paid internships annually at an approximate cost of $2 million. Since its start, the program has provided over 11,000 internships.  

 

A political science major interning under Gebhardt, Amy Joinville (previously Meral Montes), is a shining example of how the CPI program benefits both students and community organizations. Joinville examines the immigration policies of various governmental levels and creates a database of state and federal laws related to refugees.

 

“Part of her work for us is to review and analyze the government policies for immigration, the USCIS, the Customs and Immigration Agency, and then also to explore listings of legislation, Idaho state legislation, and federal legislation that affect refugees and immigrants,” Gebhardt explained. “This database that she’s working on will help us understand better what the government rules are and what we can do.” 

Such legal research is crucial since Afghan immigrants are uncertain about when their parole statuses will be reviewed. According to Gebhardt, Joinville's work with Bridges Idaho will pave the way for a future in refugee advocacy or at one of the foundations funding the resettlement initiative.

 

The purpose of the CPI program is to create links between classroom knowledge and practical application. For Joinville, whose academic interests are in public policy, the internship has provided her with practical experience in researching laws and assisting marginalized communities. For Bridges Idaho, it has permitted the introduction of new abilities and a new network of relationships. At regular intervals, everyone meets in person and virtually and tasks are adjusted to align with Joinville's curriculum.

 

“Amy keeps a record and makes reports of what she’s doing,” Gebhardt said. “She’s already networking with her contacts at the university and in town.” 

 

Gebhardt acknowledges that navigating bureaucracy can be difficult. To host a CPI intern, Bridges Idaho must stay within the program’s policies and operations, but Gebhardt says the trouble is well worth it once an intern is hired.  

 

Zaire, a sociology student who had previously worked as an intern, went to refugee families and utilized a wellness checklist to assess their needs, including those related to work and mental health, before making recommendations. Another young woman from Congo, who started at the College of Southern Idaho and eventually transferred to ISU, can also be considered a success story. She obtained a nursing degree and is currently employed at St. Luke's Hospital in Twin Falls, thanks to the scholarship money raised by Bridges Idaho. 

 

Because CPI roles are paid, the internships provide students with the opportunity to work in unpaid positions that they would otherwise be unable to do due to financial constraints.  Gebhardt says that the majority of immigrants and refugees aspire to independence. In a similar vein, student interns require compensation to balance their work and school responsibilities. ISU students can apply their efforts to nonprofits like Bridges Idaho through the CPI program without endangering their financial security.

 

In terms of outlook, Gebhardt can envision a day when collaboration with the CPI program will become a full-time job. To create a case manager role that will coordinate assistance for immigrants and refugees in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg, Bridges Idaho is seeking funding. 

 

“There’s an incentive for students to connect with off-campus organizations like this,” he said. “It’s a teamwork effort and a big picture goal for Pocatello is to make our community more into a real university town where there’s a culture of learning in the community and a welcoming culture.” 

 

By employing student interns, Bridges Idaho has previously circumvented a developed and approved resolution from the City of Pocatello that welcomes individuals who are different and unique. Other events, such as a Ukrainian festival and World Refugee Day festivities, have further merged the institution and community.

 

Gebhardt ascribes these connections to the work of the faculty at ISU. In addition to answering inquiries and providing connections, professors attend Bridges Idaho meetings. He says that there are excellent ties among the faculty. The interns, in turn, have job references and mentors.  Successful CPI tales from the University demonstrate the program's core idea, that real-world experience, guidance, and remuneration change people's lives.

 

The CPI program serves as more than just a conduit for internships for the Bridges Idaho program; it is a vital link that unites the community and the institution in a shared goal of welcoming. Students like Joinville see it as an opportunity to establish a professional network, apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world problems, and pursue a career in public service.

 

In Gebhardt’s words, “I hope that she feels like she’s getting an opportunity to connect her political science work with a real and important cause.” 

 

The partnership between Bridges Idaho and the CPI program will continue to tear down both conceptual and physical barriers between the community that longs to accommodate refugees and those refugees who hope to find a new home. 

 

About our contributor:

Sadman Sakib is pursuing a Master’s in Communication, Media, and Persuasion at ISU, where he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant. He earned his Bachelor’s in Mass Communication and Journalism from Khulna University, Bangladesh. His research spans social media, organizational, political, and crisis communication. With multiple national presentations and manuscripts in progress, he explores how communication strategies can shape audiences and connect global perspectives.