Currently, I work at the International Rescue Committee as the Senior Microenterprise Business Counselor. In this role I work with refugees, immigrants and low-income individuals to start or expand a microenterprise. My work has greatly increased with COVID-19 as small businesses across Southern California try to access emergency financial assistance in order to keep their businesses afloat among required closures. At the IRC, we have also been able to help businesses pivot their normal activities to emergency response such as making masks. My time in Morocco as an ETA has helped me be able to work with a diverse population of clients from many countries across the MENA and Sub-Saharan African regions. Through the Fulbright Program I was able to improve language skills which has helped me to provide better business counseling to both Arabic and French speaking clients. I have also been able to maintain wonderful friendships with other grantees, former students, and Moroccan citizens, allowing me to build on language skills.
Kellie Quinn
2017-2018 Fulbright ETA
The content of this blog post reflects the author’s views, and not necessarily the views of the Fulbright Association nor of the San Diego Fulbright Chapter.