Sean Hannan '26

This summer has been incredibly rewarding and eye-opening for me. Working hands-on with clients and attorneys at Journey's End Refugee Services has been an enriching experience. Meeting directly with the clients allowed me to see the real-world impact of immigration law and understand the complexities it entails. The opportunity to assist clients alongside skilled attorneys provided me with invaluable insights and practical knowledge that I would not have otherwise gained.

This experience has significantly deepened my understanding of immigration issues and strengthened my commitment to the field. It has  been both challenging and fulfilling, and I now feel more prepared and inspired to continue pursuing a career in immigration law. The skills and experiences I've gained this summer will undoubtedly shape and enhance my future work.

The most impactful part of my experience this summer was meeting directly with the clients to work on their cases. Engaging with them on a personal level and understanding their unique stories and challenges was moving. It is one thing to study immigration law from a theoretical perspective, but interacting with clients and seeing their resilience and determination up close brought a new depth to my understanding.

Hearing clients' stories firsthand and assisting in navigating the complexities of their cases highlighted the real-world significance of our work. It was inspiring and reinforced why I'm passionate about this field. This direct connection has not only deepened my empathy but also sharpened my focus and commitment to advocating for those who need it most.

I would like to thank the donors that made this experience possible. I would not have been able to work in the public interest sector without the Catalyst Public Service Fellowship Program. This program allowed me to dedicate my summer to public service without worrying about how I would support myself. This support enabled me to gain experience, make connections, and to advocate for those who need it most within the public interest sector of law.