Leonilyn Llona, a senior from the Philippines majoring in social work, found her internship in Taiwan was more than just a graduation requirement. It was, as she said, “A spiritual and professional journey that taught me resilience, deepened my empathy, and clarified my future goals as a humanitarian social worker.”
Serving in the Asia-Pacific
Llona discovered her internship opportunity through BYU–Hawaii’s Career Services department. “I was motivated to pursue it because I saw it as a perfect opportunity to enrich my education and prepare myself to serve in the Asia-Pacific region,” she said. “I know that this experience would open doors for me, not just in Taiwan but across different parts of Asia.”
She was accepted as a social impact development intern at The Garden of Hope (GOH) Foundation's Integrated Service Centre for Migrant Women and Children, a nonprofit organization in Taiwan that supports migrant workers.
Applying was no small feat. “I submitted my application and went through several levels of interviews,” Llona said. “Then, with much prayer and fasting, I got accepted! That really strengthened my testimony that the Lord hears us when we seek His guidance.”
Fulfilling Days of Service
Her role combined outreach, advocacy, and administration, touching on nearly every aspect of community support.
“My typical day involved helping with community outreach, translating documents from English to Filipino and vice versa, and supporting mental health programs for migrant workers,” she said. “I also assisted with administrative tasks and advocacy initiatives.”
She took special pride in managing the organization’s social media platforms. “I created content, planned posts, and connected with the Filipino community [in Taiwan],” she said. “It was exciting to think about how a single post could reach hundreds of people and make them feel connected.”
Her favorite responsibility came once a month. “What excited me the most was hosting our monthly activity for all migrant workers,” Llona said. “It was challenging but fulfilling, especially when I finally got in touch with groups of Indonesians, Vietnamese, and Filipinos after all my efforts. Seeing them gather, laugh, and feel supported made everything worth it.”
Cultural Sensitivity
Not everything was smooth. Llona said one of the hardest challenges she faced was communicating with the local community. “I don’t speak Mandarin, so even simple conversations were difficult at first,” she said. “I remember times when I wanted to help someone, but I couldn’t find the words. That was really frustrating.”
Instead of giving up, she turned to creativity. “I learned to communicate through gestures, facial expressions, and translation tools,” she said. “Google Translate became my best friend! But even more important, I learned that people respond when they see you care. Sometimes a smile was enough.”
She added that BYU–Hawaii had helped prepare her for such moments. “My time at BYU–Hawaii taught me resilience, cultural sensitivity, and the value of service,” Llona said. “In Taiwan, I grew more confident, patient, and creative in how I connect with others. Those were things I had started learning in Laie, but the internship made me live them out in real time.”
“Faith Across Cultures”
The experience also gave Llona insights into her faith. “I learned how to adapt, communicate across cultures, and build genuine relationships,” she said. “I also learned the importance of showing up consistently, even when things are getting harder.”
For her, these weren’t just professional lessons. “These lessons helped me become a better disciple of Jesus Christ because I became more empathetic, more willing to serve, and more aware of the needs of others,” she said. “I saw how small acts of kindness can make people feel seen and valued.”
She recalled moments when something as simple as listening or translating made a difference. “Sometimes people don’t need you to solve everything,” she said. “They just need to know someone is there for them.”
"A Mission to Uplift"
By the end of her internship, Llona knew she had chosen the right path.
“This internship confirmed my desire to become a humanitarian social worker,” she said. “It showed me the impact of serving migrant communities and inspired me to continue working in cross-cultural settings.”
It also reshaped her sense of courage. “Personally, it taught me to be more courageous and open-hearted,” she said. “I now see service not just as a career path, but as a lifelong mission to uplift and connect with others.”
She said one phrase captures what she learned best: “I learned that when fear ends, something beautiful starts.”
Making the Unseen Feel Seen
As she prepares to graduate in the Spring 2026 semester, Leonilyn Llona said her focus is set on using her training to make a difference. Whether through nonprofit organizations, international agencies, or community projects, she wants to dedicate her life to supporting those who feel unseen.
“I realized during my internship that social work isn’t just about policies or programs,” she said. “It’s about people; seeing them, hearing them, and reminding them they matter, just as the Savior Jesus Christ would see them.”