Khem hoped to find a job that would help him be financially independent.
“I was born in Nepal and came here in 2014. Everything is different here; every school has technology and there is more that they can offer. I was really interested in technology and electrical engineering in Nepal, but when I came here and tried to do experiments, I wasn’t succeeding.
When I was looking for a job, I applied to many places but didn’t get anywhere. My counselor knew I needed the work, so she told me about Rêve Academy. I was excited because before, I just wanted to work for the money. But what happened is that I could get everything!
I could get knowledge, I could get paid, I could get credit for school. So I called Rêve Academy and I was really excited and really scared because this was a new thing.”
I am…
// 17
// Helpful, respectful, kind
// A student at Wellestone International High School
I dream of…
// Becoming an engineer
Exploring the 3D printer and packaging up the final product for customers.
He embodied the value of Agility.
“I was really interested in working on design. The thing is, I didn’t understand what we were doing when we started the design project.
But after a few days, I was able to understand. We came up with many ideas and sorted through them to make one design that came from everyone’s ideas.
I also didn’t understand all the people talking, since they spoke very high level English. I asked them, ‘What does that mean?’ And little by little, I understood what they were doing and what they were talking about. There were lots of words I didn’t know. Some people tell me that I have great English, but I don’t really see that. It’s not perfect but I am always learning, learning, learning.”
Noe and Khem working in Adobe Illustrator to design holiday cookie stamps for the 3D printer.
He used positivity to overcome his challenges.
“I actually learned how to work with a group here, because at school we don’t work with people you don’t know. Talking with new people is a little bit scary but it’s still really good.
When I came here, I looked at the 3D printer and thought, ‘What is this?’ I had never seen that before. Then later I learned it all—Adobe Illustrator, 3D printing, Fusion 360. It was amazing to use those things.
I was trying to find one person who could help me, and now I found many people. I was trying to find a job, and I got a really good opportunity. When I come here, I feel happy. I feel powerful and strong. I don’t know about the future right now, but I just want to help people around the world by doing good things.”
See the difference that Rêve Academy makes.
Khem gained both technical and professional skills in his internship—and he didn’t have to pay a cent. In fact, we paid him a fair wage for his work each week, while he learned:
Professional skills
// Empathy
// Authenticity
// Collaboration
// Achievement
// Ingenuity
// Agility
Technical skills
// Fusion 360
// MakerBot
// Illustrator
// Project management
// Agile development
Rêve Academy’s student interns of fall 2016.
Help students along their path.
If you have a heart for students, we have a place for you.
Become a digital volunteer and help our interns as they work on real-world projects. Or show our kids what an ordinary day looks like for a working professional. There are lots of ways to get involved, so don’t be shy—we can’t wait to meet you!