I enjoyed working with my teammates and hearing the stories of people living in the area I was working in. There is nothing like interviewing a perfect stranger and seeing the moment at which their walls fall down and they are willing to share anything with you. For background info: I interviewed people in the San Bernardino area about their life story, neighborhood, health, and finances, among other topics. It was so rewarding to learn how to make a connection with all different kinds of people and truly listen to them. I am also grateful to have learned more about the research process, specifically what happens on the field for qualitative studies similar to this one.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more opportunity to interview people in urban areas, as I was focused mostly in the rural areas. Regardless, I had a rewarding experience this past summer.
Advice
I would be prepared to receive rejections from people unwilling to participate in the study, as not everybody is willing to share their life story with strangers they may or may not trust. I quickly learned to not take it personally, a lesson crucial for success in the recruitment process.
