Internship at Ithaca: Anastasia’s Experience

“Every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, without prejudice, and to have access to the support they need.”

With this conviction, Anastasia, a final-year student in the Department of Sociology at Panteion University, completed her three-month internship at Ithaca, gaining a more substantial understanding of homelessness, social inclusion, and the daily operations of our team.

From Theory to Practice

During her internship, Anastasia actively participated in the daily operations of the Operations department, while also having the opportunity to engage in Employment Counseling activities.

Through this experience, she gained firsthand knowledge of different aspects of Ithaca’s work and saw in practice the importance of supporting people facing homelessness and social exclusion.

Her daily contact with the team also allowed her to better understand that homelessness is not a one-dimensional issue, but a complex social reality that can be linked to diverse needs and living conditions.

“More awareness is needed around homelessness to overcome stereotypes and recognize the true dimension of the issue.”

The Importance of Employment Integration

Her participation in Employment Counseling activities allowed her to get to know another important area of Ithaca’s work.

Access to employment can be a significant step towards autonomy and stability. Through employment counseling, individuals are supported in developing skills, preparing for the job market, and seeking opportunities that align with their potential and goals.

For Anastasia, this experience was an opportunity to connect her university knowledge with real-world practice and to observe firsthand how different services and teams collaborate with the common goal of supporting individuals.

An Ongoing Experience

The internship at Ithaca was for Anastasia an experience of learning, participation, and collaboration, as well as an opportunity to see homelessness beyond stereotypes and generalizations.

Anastasia, thank you for your responsibility, willingness to participate, and the wonderful energy you brought to our team. We wish you all the best with your studies and everything that follows!