Sebastian is interning with the Office of Immigrant Affairs this summer as part of the Mayor’s Internship Program. Here he shares a little about his background and interest.
Tell us about yourself:
Hi! My name is Sebastian Paredes. I am a rising junior at Amherst College studying French and Anthropology. At Amherst, I intern for one of my professors, and work in the school’s library. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to intern with the Office of Immigrant Affairs as a part of the Mayor’s Internship Program!
Where are you originally from and why did you come to Philly?
I was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but I moved to Caracas, Venezuela shortly thereafter. I spent 13 years living in Caracas, and hold very dear memories from my time there. Due to Venezuela’s economic situation, my family decided to move to the Philadelphia suburbs, where other family members had already established themselves. Philly has now become my home, and I feel pride that my work as an intern could improve the livelihoods of our city’s immigrant communities.
What do you do in your free time?
I am a big gamer, and often spend a lot of time playing video-games on my Playstation 4 (currently playing Persona 4, which I am loving). I love watching movies and theater performances. During high school, I often ventured to Center City to partake in theater rehearsals, which prompted me to explore Philly as a whole.
Apart from that, I enjoy experiencing new cultures and trying new foods. I am excited to expand my food palette through the multicultural events OIA organizes.
What do you hope to accomplish in your internship?
I hope to better understand the responsibilities and influence of city governments on the wellbeing of individuals and communities. In the political sphere, the federal government is often considered the hub of policy making, which disregards how highly impactful municipal governments are. I believe that this internship will expose me to the breadth of local work that significantly shapes our city, showcasing the extensive effects of local policy-making.
More specifically, I also hope that my work with the Office of Immigrant Affairs leads to tangible benefits for our city’s immigrant communities. As an immigrant myself, OIA’s commitment to uplifting Philly’s migrant communities resonates strongly with me. I aim to help the rest of the team organize community events, connect with community leaders, provide language access and support, and help immigrants settle into our city and become Philadelphians.
Do you have a favorite memory of Philadelphia?
I have attended three of Philly’s Pride Festivals, which are always filled with such great energy and fun. Philly’s Gayborhood comes alive during Pride, and the city as a whole permeates with a contagious spirit of acceptance and love. I have felt extremely proud of being a gay Philadelphian every time I have gone to Pride.
