International Blog

Nicky, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, CECI Nepal, Blue Diamond Society, Research Intern

Even though the end of this internship is fast approaching, reflecting back on the start of the internship I still remember all the worries and challenges I had set in my head. When the Faculty of Social Sciences first sent out the email explaining this opportunity, I remember being so hesitant and waiting till the last minute to fill out the application. The concern of not physically being there and trying to do it virtually, which made me believe that it would not be the best fit for me or that I would not get the real experience. And what about building close relationships with my colleagues? What about the changes of routine and work environment? However, just as the title says, “never judge a book by its cover”, this was the greatest twelve weeks which will leave long-term effects in my life.

 To look back on the first week and realize how different everything is now, it is as if I don’t recognize it. I look back on all my challenges and worries and shrug because I realized there’s a first time for everything. A quote by Robert Louis Stevenson which said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” For me, this means that if you seek every day for successes, you will be unaware of what you are putting out there, so rather than expecting success every day, focus on what you bring to the table “the seed you plant” so the things you do which contribute to your position.

As a research intern for CECI Nepal and Blue Diamond Society, I did not only learn a significant amount of information but I learned a lot about myself and my skills. I challenged my challenges and started understanding my work and doing better. The time difference was no longer an issue, I had bonding relationships with my colleagues and had done work which gave me the boost I needed to see my contribution- it was as though I built a daily routine without realizing it until I looked back at where I started.

The largest part of my position was to research and truly understand Blue Diamond Society but also the COVID-19 pandemic effects on the LGBTIQ+ community in Nepal. Everyone around the world experienced this pandemic differently, and to research and learn about the issues and the lives of others around the globe was eye-opening. Using the research and data collected I was asked to do multiple concept notes which I learnt will become a primary resource for BDS when doing continued research, presenting in front of other organizations and other future events. To hear this, was the greatest feeling as I remember the obstacles I faced in ensuring it would be done right- especially the first one. This shows my major contributions and self-growth as I was able to engage with the work around COVID-19 pandemics and other issues addressed across the country.

My challenges became my successes. In my final meeting with the team today, I expressed the concerns and skills I first had starting the internship and then how everything changed. When you judge a book by its cover, you either put it down or judge it before you even read it which affects your expectations. This is applied to the internship as well and honestly, although I judged it at first because of my worries, but I am grateful and proud to make it to the end of the book, or in this case, the internship. Every day was a different page in a chapter and it is totally worth making it to the end of the book. So, despite it being online, I still built relationships with my colleagues, contributed to the organizations, developed new skills and overcame fears and therefore, I lived the experience of an intern. What a great twelve weeks!

Aranie, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives – Sri Lanka National Fisheries Solidarity Movement (NAFSO) – Human Rights Research Officer

Earlier this year, I was set to complete my final CO-OP placement abroad and then obtain my undergraduate degree right after. However, due to the unforeseeable pandemic, my work term had been cancelled and I had to quickly change my plans. Soon after, I decided to apply for the virtual international internship opportunity, and I think it was the best decision I could’ve made during such uncertain times.

I’m currently working as an intern for a Sri Lankan NGO called NAFSO, which stands for National Fisheries Solidarity Organization. NAFSO’s mission is to establish sustainable fisheries and food sovereignty to reduce poverty and disempowerment in Sri Lanka. However, as an intern, I learned that the organization conducts research on a broad range of topics related to human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

Being able to work with a local NGO virtually has been very meaningful for me as someone who’s roots come from the Northern Province of Sri Lanka and who is extremely passionate in learning about socio-economic and political issues in Sri Lanka. I also chose to work with this NGO because I am extremely knowledgeable on various topics pertaining to the human rights issues in Sri Lanka.

Due to the pandemic, NAFSO is unable to continue with its field research and is currently focused on educating the wider civil society. They also work toward public policy reform centered around justice for human rights violations and government accountability in Sri Lanka. My role is to provide research support and identify promising recommendations or a course of action for the NGO to work towards protecting vulnerable communities. Over the past few weeks, I researched the harmful consequences of the 20th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution. I helped prepare an action plan which proposed potential strategies for NAFSO or other civil society actors could follow to challenge the amendment.

I’ve also started conducting research on some environmental issues and how it affects marginalized communities.

As someone who is very passionate about research, it is a rewarding experience to see that the staff at NAFSO are able to use my research and apply it in their work to promote human rights and sustainable development in Sri Lanka. Despite not being able to have the full experience of what an international internship can look like, I think working virtually definitely enables you to build valuable skills such as organization, adaptability and time-management skills. Overall, I’m really enjoying this international internship and I highly encourage anyone reading this to take the opportunity to participate in an international internship, even if it is a virtual opportunity!

Leorah, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives, National Fisheries Solidarity Organization, Sri Lanka, Human Rights Research Officer

I am working as a human rights research intern for the National Fishery Solidarity Organization (NAFSO) which is a fisherfolk movement of Sri Lanka that works with marginalized groups such as internally displaced persons, women and youth to promote human rights and truly sustainable development, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors in post-conflict Sri Lanka.

My work entails specific research on human rights or issues pertaining to sustainable development goals(SDG), such as climate and biodiversity. I am researching issues from how infrastructure projects affect livelihoods to how the climate and coastal, ‘life below water’ is affected by human activities.

NAFSO has done a great job of turning virtual. All meetings are hosted online, and we are constantly sending out emails that cc everyone (a small team of eight). They also got involved with a community-led research project run by ESCR-NET (International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights) that involved seven other organizations in countries such as Ecuador and Guatemala. These meetings are held with about 45 participants once a week where we get together to refine our action plan and goals for the project starting in March 2021.NAFSO is a strong contributor, asking questions and helping other organizations while collaborating and taking ideas to alter their own action plan.

Going virtual can be tough when you are working with a small organization. This organization took it head-on. They are working on various projects virtually, holding community meetings and conducting community presentations online while also providing patience and time to orientate people who are not as technology-friendly at all meetings. This includes having interpreters for the three official languages: English, Tamil and Singhalese

They have been very adaptive to the COVID-19 policies in the country. This is helpful as an intern, as I feel like I am involved with the organization. They have made me feel included when I could have felt left out due to being across the world from my colleagues.

Jacob, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, India, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCCO)

Mental health has never been far from my mind during this pandemic. While I, like many others, have been dealing with mental health challenges, I’ve also gotten the chance to research and do a bit of writing on mental health in schools in South Asia as part of my internship with UNESCO New Delhi. Thinking in both of these worlds has given me occasion to ponder the universality of anxiety for humans; but more importantly, it’s also given me a chance to think concretely about cultural appropriation, and honouring the cultures that we learn from.

I’ve got some techniques that help me cope well when my brain gets the best of me. I like to engage in mindfulness practices, through short meditations, controlled breathing, or during a walk in a nearby park. These are all practices that are in vogue in online wellness communities, and are gaining more and more traction in medical study. But while these practices are relatively new to Western/Canadian culture, we rarely discuss in depth the fact that they are originally an intrinsic part of South and East Asian heritage. Obviously, this kind of exchange carries some negative colonial implications. For example, as Twitter user @notallbhas observed: restyling the ancient Indian technique of Pranayama as “cardiac coherence breathing” is part of “an imperialist frenzy to steal ‘mystical’ eastern practices & [sell] it back as western ‘science’”.

Which brings me back to my internship. I got the chance to produce some supporting materials for the release of UNESCO New Delhi’s Minding Our Minds report, a document that provides mental health strategies for students and teachers to cope during this pandemic. Being produced by an Indian office in an Indian context, a lot of its recommendations are homegrown, like some instructional sections on yoga and meditation. For yoga, there is some important context: as a highly globalized hobby, yoga has been a focal point of the cultural appropriation dialogue in recent years, as the uOttawa community is well aware. In fact, the Indian government has mounted a campaign to remind the world’s yoga practitioners of the sport’s cultural and spiritual importance. As part of these efforts, the government has also spoken positively about how the widespread popularity of the sport presents an opportunity for cross-cultural bridge-building.

And so, while the Minding Our Minds report has an everyday importance for me through its stress-reducing tips, it has also given me an example of how international aid can fight against the negative power dynamic of colonialism. Its quiet assertiveness of yoga’s Indian heritage is a reminder for the world of the importance of being explicit about citing our sources, so to speak.

I believe that this approach can bring a character of respectfulness to our extremely globalized world. I’m also learning that, being a Westerner of privilege like I am, to do international work means to think critically about making sure my contributions are honouring the culture and people I serve.

Lauren, Honours in International Studies and Modern Languages, Alternatives, India, Indian Civil Watch International

As my internship with Alternatives Canada and the Indian Civil Watch International comes to a close, I have been reflecting on the past couple of months and about what I have learned as a result of this experience. I have broken it down into three major categories and learning points for myself.

The first has to do with communication by way of knowing how to ask powerful and useful questions. Due to the virtual nature of these internships, it has been imperative that every message have a purpose. It is also important to be comfortable asking a lot of questions in order to make sure that you are receiving the right information when starting a project. In my experience, this ability to ask impactful questions has come with time. I was given the opportunity to interview Satya Sagar, a political columnist from India, which is when question formulation was the most important during my time with the ICWI. I of course had questions prepared beforehand that I had approved by my supervisors, but when it came down to the actual interview, it was also necessary to be able to think of questions then and there based on the path of the conversation. We were discussing his past experience with the Peoples Health Movement in India as well as their political prisoner crisis. The conversation swerved in all different directions which made it necessary to tweak what I intended to ask so that the discussion still felt natural. It was also important that every email that was sent had meaning. I wanted to make sure that I was getting as many questions answered with the least amount of emails having to be sent. Communication is key, but is most reliable when you take the time to as pertinent questions.

My second major learning experience was figuring out how to research and prepare a list of useful annotated bibliographies for the ICWI. This is one category in which my prior university experience did come in handy for the initial stages of my internship. Being a social science major, the majority of my classes over the past couple of years have been heavily graded based off of research papers and examinations. That being said, there was still a bit of a learning curve. At school, most of the time, you just want to get your papers done as fast and efficiently as possible in order to move onto the next thing. However, in the case of my internship, I had more time and more focus on one subject matter. I was taught to write synopsis’s in a specific way and create annotated bibliographies that were actually pertinent to the topic (unlike in university where you have to fill a sort of quota for sources). I read article after article about terror laws in India, specific cases that involved their implementation, watched webinars on the topic, and spoke to some very educated people about the crisis there. Not only has it been extremely interesting, but it has honed my skills and taught me how impactful good research methods can be.

My final major learning point has to do with gaining confidence about my knowledge. I came into this whole experience thinking that I was underqualified, and not smart enough to be working on such a project. I had never worked in the field I was studying, let alone an NGO. Fortunately, I realized very quickly that I actually had learned more than I thought throughout my university experience, not only by way of classes, but also because of my extracurricular activities. I am the president of a club on campus, and was able to use my experience there to help the ICWI clean up their website and find a target audience for their information. I realized that I am more capable than I had previously thought, which has been a massive confidence boost (especially going into my final semester of university!).

Overall, I believe that this has been a wonderful experience for me, and anyone who is on the fence about doing one of these internships should take advantage of the opportunity. I am aware that virtual internships may not sounds overly appealing, however even under such circumstances, there is everything to be gained.

Pamela Bernal, Honours Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Program Support Officer – Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL)

Embarking on the three-month journey that was my virtual internship, I knew well that challenges that had awaited me. While my cohort and I were duly prepared, there were some parts of this experience that each of us had to face head-on and adapt to in response to the changing needs of our organizations and our positions, the latter made even more unique as they were based online. Thankfully, the support, of supervisors and colleagues at the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL) and advisors at the Faculty of Social Sciences, eased my transition into the world of virtual internships and its expectations of me as a Program Support Officer for the CCBL’s Community Liaison Team and the Projects and Monitoring Team.

I began this experience with various objectives, but I believe the most important of these was to uphold the advice I gave myself after consulting various sources on what to expect through this experience: to be as patient, flexible, and open to learning anything as possible. Working at a distance for organizations that are affected by the realities of the COVID-19 public health crisis, issues of public order, and evolving security situations, one must be understanding that assignments and responsibilities change with the realities on-the-ground. Working for the Community Liaison Team, I listened to the weekly reports of my colleagues and was stricken and humbled by the intense experiences they encountered on a daily basis, experiences such as mounting insecurities threatening the stability of local communities and assassinations of local leaders and peers within or involved with the mine action sector in Colombia. Furthermore, in working with this team, I learned about the principles and components of integrated community assistance in this sector as well as some of the complexities of implementing humanitarian programs in unpredictable environments and situations, such as the ones the COVID-19 pandemic has presented. These circumstances have placed a significant strain on both assistance and demining projects for distinct but overlapping reasons.

Nevertheless, in working with the Projects and Monitoring Team, I was able to witness in real time how projects and programs were being modified and improved in response to unfolding realties. Using new and/or revised internal policies, operations protocols, and communication methods, the last of which especially interested me, the Projects and Monitoring team worked to ensure that projects implemented adaptation and mitigation strategies to account for new difficulties in the face of rising regional tensions and COVID contingencies. It was very interesting to see how much effort and coordination goes into the projects whose reports I helped review, for example, elements of general principles and objectives, considerations on ethical requirements, project/data management, knowledge production, risk management, guidelines for monitoring and follow-up practices, and feedback mechanisms for continual improvement, accountability, lessons learned, and improved practices.

Finally, despite being based outside of my host country, I learned so much about the mine action sector from the Colombian context and the pillars of mine action, specifically, mine risk education, mine clearance, and victim assistance. Moreover, taking this virtual internship opportunity allowed me to learn much more about myself, my preferences, and my work habits while contributing to an important mission. This virtual placement did not come without its challenges, but going the extra mile, reading reports from other departments, reaching out to other teams and offering additional support, and taking advantage of optional training and meetings that arose personally allowed me to gain the most that I could from this experience. I am grateful that I was given this opportunity as an international placement was always out of reach due to the costs and difficulties associated with temporarily relocating. Thus, I urge prospective applicants to research more about the virtual internship experience, research about the organizations to which you may want to apply, and truly consider this opportunity, be it in virtual or travel format, for it just may surprise you what you can learn and what you can do to facilitate positive change regardless of your surroundings and circumstances. 

Fatima, DVM, minor in Sociology, Mines Action Canada, Lebanon: Landmines Resource Center at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand (LMRC), Program Support Officer

In a time where uncertainty is parading through our communities, seeing a flicker of hope goes a long way. The international internship, even in its virtual form, allows us as students to be part of bringing hope into peoples lives. We do this by supporting the programs that help people in a tough place find a way to sustain themselves and provide them with all the means necessary for them to flourish.

There is a famous saying in Lebanon that translates to, “When you see the hardships of others, your worries start to fade.” I truly understood the meaning of this saying while completing my virtual international internship this fall. I was partnered through Mines Action Canada with the Landmines Resource Center at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to speak to the beneficiaries of the mine victim assistance programs offered by the faculty and gain insight into the lives of those who have been afflicted.

While we are lucky to have a roof over our heads and ample food on our table, there are many people out there who are fighting everyday to be able to provide for those families. These fights become especially difficult with the physical and mental impairments caused by being a mine victim. Many of the families I spoke to have more than one victim in the household, often causing them to rely on one member of the family for sustenance. Others remain the provider for their household despite their condition. Being offered victim support for these families is a dream come true as government support is scarce.

Prior to the support provided by Balamand, many of the beneficiaries had never dreamed of attending any type of post secondary education or receiving a formal certification, a privilege we often take for granted. For many, this new degree provided them with the self confidence they needed to persevere and make the best of their situations. The beneficiaries highly encouraged the continuation of such support programs during these difficult times Lebanon is facing.

When hearing of such harsh experiences and living conditions, the issues we face in our everyday lives start to sound miniscule. It truly puts the privileges we often ignore into perspective. Even with the world shut down, we were able to continue on with our studies, internships, and jobs from home; others could not dream of this during normal days. The lessons learned during this internship surpass the realm of the academic world and fall into every aspect of our life.

Sharuka, International Development and Globalization, CECI – Nepal Research Intern

Regardless of the challenges, I am looking forward to completing my mandate and sharing my research with the team in Nepal. Although COVID-19 impacted virtually all aspects of our lives, it is important to recognize the opportunities it presented as well. I feel like I am supported in my ventures on learning more and am grateful that I work for an organization that allows me to focus on the areas that are not only important to me but are social issues as well.

Marah, Honours in International Studies and Modern Languages, Alternatives, Palestine, Teacher Creativity Centre (TCC)

As we near the end of this internship experience, various thoughts occupy my mind.  Most predominantly, I find myself thinking about the future. With one semester left of my undergraduate degree, there is much uncertainty of what my life will look like afterwards. At 21 years old, most of my existence has revolved around my education. Learning shapes us as humans from the day we are born, and it has shaped me and made me who I am today. Pondering such a huge change in my identity has been overwhelming, but the bigger part of me is excited for the future. I believe change is healthy and necessary, and I look forward to seeing what my life will look like in a year.

The reason I mention these feelings is because of the impact this internship experience has had on how I perceive the future. Everything about this process has helped prepare me for my professional life, from submitting the applications to sending in completed assignments. For example, I have created resumes and written cover letters for other jobs, but they have mostly been retail or customer service jobs. Writing a cover letter for a position in my field was completely different, and was helpful as I now begin to apply for full time positions for next year. Moreover, the pre-internship training with our uOttawa supervisors and the Canadian NGO Alternatives have helped immensely when it comes to being in a professional environment for the first time, especially one that is at a distance. I am equipped with multiple strategies to deal with tough situations that could arise in a workplace, knowledge that will be of use in the future.

Another instance of how the internship has impacted my perception is the nature of the work involved. I used to think that working full-time would only encompass certain repetitive tasks, and that leaving university left little room for new learning. The nature of our work in this internship has rendered this thinking completely false. Over the course of the past few months, I have learnt so much about the education sector in Palestine and how COVID-19 has altered our way of life. It has become clear to me that one never stops learning, and that future jobs bring much possibility for growth. Additionally, dynamic work topics means much variation in the types of tasks completed. Over the last few months alone, I have researched prominent issues, written methodologies and a literature review, and also prepared for conducting interviews and focus groups. These tasks have been anything but dull, and have encouraged me to constantly think creatively.

Finally, if you are a student reading this, interested in applying to the internship program, I have only one piece of advice for you: go for it! Perhaps international travel will resume and allow for field internships again but even online, this opportunity is not one to miss.

Fatima, DVM, minor in Sociology, Mines Action Canada, Lebanon: Landmines Resource Center at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand (LMRC), Program Support Officer

While our world hit pause in March and we all sat at home, others worldwide still had to worry about putting a meal on the table and finding a place to sleep at night. The pandemic for these people was not their top priority because they have seen harsh days and even harsher nights. The need for humanitarian support merely increased during these trying times.

I always hoped to be able to take part in an international internship to help make change in the world. Doing so virtually was never something I though was a possibility. Nonetheless, 2020 has proven to be a year where there is no norm but rather a year to adapt to constant change. Doing my international internship virtually was simply another time where adapting was necessary.

I was partnered through Mines Action Canada with the Landmines Resource Center at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the University of Balamand, an assignment I was beyond excited to receive as I have Lebanese roots. The group at Balamand does assistance and awareness work on the existing dangers of mines in the country. This work carries high importance in Lebanon as the toll on victims of mines continues to grow with mines, hand held grenades, and such remainders from the war, and, spills from neighbouring Syria, remain a large threat to people. The team has also adapted into making COVID-19 related materials to help raise awareness and minimize the spread.

Starting off the internship was especially challenging with the team having lost their offices in the Beirut port explosion that had occurred on August 4th. The ramifications the team faced hindered out ability to have constant and effective communication. This also pushed them to skip the formal training an intern would usually receive and immediately assign me with projects.

The big and continuous project I have been working on is the DCA MVA project that provide mine victims with resources to assist them with reaching a stage of being self-sufficient. Many services were provided ranging from scholarships, financial assistance, psychosocial support, and providing the means to open a small business such as chicken farming. With the country also suffering an economic crisis, there are many layers to continue exploring to help make this project a success.

Although working virtually on such large-scale project is not the ideal, one thing I have learned through this placement thus far is that you are never too far away to help and help comes in many forms. Looking forward to continue learning through this placement and I am glad the internship remained a possibility during these challenging times.

Emily, Honours Political Science, WUSC, Organization of African Youth, Kenya, Communications Officer

E-volunteering is still a relatively new term, and for the first time, it is not a rarely offered alternative but the primary source of volunteers all around the world. The COVID-19 Pandemic has been longer-lasting than many predicted or hoped it would be, and it is having increasingly long-term effects on how the world is run. Earlier in 2020, when everything suddenly switched to online, the world adapted as best we could at short notice. More recently, as we approached school years, holidays, and even potentially the new year aware of COVID, we were more prepared for COVID restrictions. In most places, we have come to recognize that these adjustments are not as temporary as we hoped and that we need to find ways to keep things running safely. That is where, I feel, the growth of e-volunteering comes in. I think that initially, e-volunteering was a short-term alternative until people could travel again, but now as that seems further and further away, e-volunteering is becoming more of an option in its own right and not a temporary solution. While there are obvious downsides to this, e-volunteering is a more accessible option for many people, especially now that it is more supported and recognized.

I am currently an e-volunteer for the Organization of African Youth (OAY) Kenya through World University Service of Canada (WUSC). I am working as a Communication Officer for the entirety of the Fall 2020 semester. I think that my role would have been a lot different in person, but under the circumstances, I think it might be even more important. As a field, communications can mean a lot of different things, but for me, the focus of my work has been on reaching people and bringing them together online and through social media. With the threat of greater restrictions due to increasing cases in many places, online is one of the only ways for organizations like OAY to spread information. I think that without COVID, my role online would be much smaller, only really reporting on events or announcing them. But with the pandemic, the information and the events that I would be posting about are all online, making my role in them bigger. So although many people thought of e-volunteering as a backup plan until in-person volunteering was an option, I believe that e-volunteering has made it possible for me to do more as an intern. Communications as a job description has had to incorporate even more, and now, I get to try a little bit of everything. In my experiences so far, I have been able to maintain social media accounts, create content, share event and program information, participate in webinars and online functions, and even help develop a cross-country activity for youths.

As I near the end of my internship experience, I think that I am only just beginning to appreciate the unique nature of international e-volunteering. Online internship positions offer a lot of benefits in their own right. Between decreased cost, greater reach, and more interconnectedness of roles, e-volunteering is a more accessible way for students to experience international internships. I hope that Universities, NGOs and other organizations consider continuing to offer e-volunteering options even once there is the potential for frequent international travel again.

Yasmeen, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Alternatives, Teacher Creativity Centre, Palestine

Pamela, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Mines Action Canada, Columbian Campaign to ban the Landmines, Project Support Officer

Of the many things I have learned so far in my virtual placement, it is the importance of making the most out of a bad situation to overcome the obstacles that adversity presents. Resilience and adaptability have never been more important than now. This applies to not only institutions and organizations, but also to ourselves as individuals, so that we may acclimate to the challenges we currently find ourselves waist-deep in and, further, to prepare for the ones that are yet to come.

As I reach the halfway mark of my virtual internship, I have already learned much about the daily challenges of NGOs, each of which is heavily affected by current realities and past legacies of the nations in which they are based. Particularly, I am amazed at how the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines (CCBL) is confronting the unique challenges associated with a public health crisis while navigating distinctly tense contexts. Through my flexible position as general support for all matters involving project management and communications, I obtain exposure on how projects that have been painstakingly planned, budgeted, and approved are changing in real-time due to the complexities associated with, firstly, the COVID-19 pandemic and, secondly, the mounting hostilities between the Colombian government and its opposition. The contingencies arising from these, results in a very complex state of affairs that affect the CCBL’s reach. However, as part-time assistant for the Projects and Monitoring team and part-time assistant for the Victim Assistance/ Development and Community Liaison team, I am able to observe (and participate) the ways that my organization is working through these difficult times and unpredictable circumstances. For example, by creating, modifying, and implementing tools and strategies for mitigating the effects that these circumstances have on the outcomes of humanitarian projects.

Though I am based at home, nearly 5000 kilometers away from my colleagues at the CCBL, it is nonetheless exciting to see how the organization adapts despite the new challenges it faces. When it cannot implement existing strategies, the organization modifies said strategies, adapts the application of existing strategies according to the new disruptive contexts, or it creates new strategies altogether, the last of which interests me the most about my placement. Nevertheless, all of the foregoing actions are very complex and important as each method is crucial to ensuring that none of the beneficiaries of CCBL’s work, particularly the survivors of explosive artefacts and individuals who are predisposed to the effects of explosive artefacts, get left behind. Even when difficulties prevail, organizations like the CCBL still sound the alarm for those whose voices are silenced during tough times, leading me to my final point.

Humanity is currently at a point where, because of the effects of this pandemic, it can more easily identify and assess critical flaws in the social, health, and other systems that people heavily depend on during both times of crisis and times of normalcy. There is always room for continual improvement of monitoring/reporting strategies, feedback mechanisms, accountability practices, data and information management, and knowledge translation in the kinds of social networks fed, to varying degrees, by civil society: human rights networks, community assistance networks, humanitarian resource networks, communications networks, government victim assistance networks, and so forth. This time is an opportunity for unmatched and unprecedented growth. This is a chance for our industries and sectors (and ourselves) to innovate and grow in ways that we may not have seen otherwise, at least not at this pace. Notwithstanding the tensions and hardships felt across the planet, this period of history could be a testament to how individuals, communities, organizations, and societies are resilient but also responsive.

The experiences we live now are merely products of events that are out of our hands, but what we take from these experiences is entirely up to us. Personally, I hope to make the most out of the next 1.5 months by continuing to volunteer my energy efficiently and enthusiastically to assist my colleagues towards the CCBL’s mission and to contribute in the small ways I can to the betterment of civilian stakeholders affected by armed conflict in accordance with my mandate.

Cassandra, Honours in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Alternatives, South Africa, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Network, Program support and research officer

The international internship with the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Network (SIHA) is not for the faint of heart. In Spring 2020, I had the opportunity to apply for an international internship with the University of Ottawa, which led me to obtain an internship with the SIHA Network for the fall of the same year. This internship is not a position made up of rainbows, candy, and butterflies; but rather a deep-dive into the lives and society women face every day in the Horn of Africa. The SIHA Network was created as a grassroots movement by women in the Horn of Africa, working towards the progress of human rights in their own countries. By being a grassroots organization, they are able to conduct a bottom-up approach of the root causes that causes the maltreatment of women in society. SIHA also focuses on creating stepping stones for women to integrate themselves in the economy and the workforce, they provide resources for women who are victims of gender-based violence, and they raise awareness of serious human rights violations against women that go unreported everyday.

Although my internship position is remote, and I am not working on the bigger/hard hitting projects in the organization, I have still been able to work on projects that give me an extensive background on political, economic, and social issues facing women globally. Every week, my assigned project to collect news articles for the internal news bulletin reflecting SIHA’s mission for the countries within the Horn of Africa (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Uganda), the rest of Africa, and the world; has allowed me to learn and understand the challenges and vulnerability that women face. From forced child marriages of young girls, to the increase of domestic abuse in many African countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more and more apparent that women are continuously facing the same gender-based discrimination that was present in the past. Women’s rights violations are still a serious issue globally, and the articles that I have read on the abuse women receive in countries like Uganda, can also be found in the Indigenous communities of Canada. Indigenous women are constantly facing the harsh reality of not only racial discrimination, but gender discrimination within their communities, with law enforcement, and with medical professionals. Discrimination and violence against women is common in all societies, and it is important that we work together to fundamentally change the challenges that women face in their everyday lives.

Even with the intensity of the material I view every day, I am glad that I was chosen to partake in the internship with SIHA. Not only am I able to educate myself on human rights issues that I possibly would have never learned, but I am also able to use my new found experiences to guide me in my future studies and career. The knowledge that I will continue to access through the work experience is one that I would have never been able to gain through normal course work, even if position is conducted online. The internship has guided me towards an academic path that I never knew I would choose, and I am glad that I am able to participate in an experience that will enrich my life for years to come.

Lauren, Honours in International Studies and Modern Languages, Alternatives, India, Indian Civil Watch International

I am sure that you are all sick and tired of hearing complaints about 2020 and our current pandemic situation. Fortunately, I am not here to complain, but to inform, and explain what I have been doing over the past couple of months regarding my international internship with Alternatives Canada and the Indian Civil Watch International (ICWI).

The world as we know it has changed in the way we learn, the way we work, and the way we socialize. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I filled out my application for an “at a distance” internship, but I am honestly so pleasantly surprised at how it has turned out.

As an International Studies major, the past 3 years I have spent taking numerous political science courses including political violence (which to this day has always been my favorite), but I hadn’t gotten the chance to actually put any of what I had learned into practice. This is why working for the ICWI has been an amazing opportunity to learn more about concepts taught in that course, specifically political prisoners and terror legislation across the world. The ICWI’s goal is to spread awareness about the current issues in India regarding political prisoners, and how unjust their anti-terror laws are.

That is where my internship comes into play. My role with the organization shifts and changes as time goes on. At first it was important for me to get more comfortable with the material, and prove to my superiors that I semi knew what I was talking about. I started out by reading articles and writing short synopses for each one. I continued to do this for the first month or so, as well as created an annotated bibliography that will be used in the future to more easily find sources.

Next, I started to analyze and critique the ICWI’s current website. This has probably been my biggest accomplishment thus far as I believe it will prove to be the most useful written piece I have come up with. The website is quite outdated, so I recommended how they could better market themselves in order to obtain more visibility, and in turn have a better chance at spreading awareness. I got to present my ideas to my supervisors and explain why these changes would ultimately be beneficial.

My next tasks will be to start comparing terror laws in India with other countries terror laws, as well as come up with a series of questions that I will be asking prominent political and human rights activists in a series of interviews next month.

It is obviously a very different experience, working at home online instead of being on the ground in India, but I believe that it is still teaching me so much, teaching me skills that I perhaps wouldn’t have if I was actually there.  I am not an extremely “techy” person, so I have had to adapt and try to improve on that. I also feel that I have more freedom to express my opinions on the subject matter, without fear of judgment were I to really be on the ground in India.

Again, I know that what is going on today is far from ideal, but my goal moving forward is to continue to make the most of my internship and continue to learn as much as possible. Now is the time… Seriously! It is not like we have anything better to do.

If you are hesitant about doing an “at a distance” internship, don’t be. There is so much to gain by working with these organizations. Not only will you be gaining some much-needed experience, but you are also working for something that is greater than yourself. Every one of these organizations is looking to make the world a better and safer place, so I highly encourage you to apply!

Marah, Honours in International Studies and Modern Languages, Alternatives, Palestine, Teacher Creativity Centre (TCC)

My time at uOttawa has taught me many things, from International Relations theories to Italian verb conjugations. As I neared the end of my undergraduate degree, I could not help but wonder what a career in my field would look like. Plans to gain professional experience during the summer were put off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but an email from the Faculty of Social Sciences presented a different kind of opportunity for the Fall. Before beginning this online work placement, I was very unsure of what to expect and how it would develop. However, I can confidently say that this internship has given me the exceptional chance to work with both Canadian and international NGOs, and gain valuable insight into what a career in this field would look like.

I am currently working with the Teacher Creativity Centre (TCC), a Palestinian NGO that works on a variety of education-centered issues, in collaboration with Alternatives, a Montreal-based NGO that works with diverse partners to strengthen collective rights. Although only halfway through the internship, I have already learnt so much about the education sector and the situation on the ground in Palestine. Objectively learning about the political history of a country and its current reality is one thing, but working with people who experience it on a daily basis has been an eye-opening experience. Even though my work is online, I am able to link my theoretical knowledge on Palestine by listening to my colleagues and seeing through their eyes, and in turn aiding them by doing my job as well as I can.

Another way I have been putting theory into practice is more specific to the placement I currently hold. As a student in a research position, I am able to utilize my research skills and knowledge from academia and apply it to the projects I am tasked with. Tasks such as creating methodologies and outlines, analyzing data and preparing interviews have moved from being classroom examples to real life case studies. I am especially glad I held onto my political research coursework as I have found myself returning frequently to my notes to help with internship assignments. I am grateful to have the chance to perform this kind of professional work while still being in university and finishing my studies.

This virtual internship will undoubtedly differ from future job positions but, considering the circumstances, it has been an invaluable opportunity. Every day, I apply knowledge from my personal background and academic degree while continuing to grow and learn. It’s hard to ask for more. 

Julia, WUSC, Honours Political Science, WUSC Malawi office, Research Officer

My first month as an intern for WUSC Malawi as been both enlightening and fairly easy to adjust to. My particular placement is slightly different from what my peers this year are experiencing as my mandate expects me to produce research reports on certain areas of interest for the Malawi offices. This combined with the time difference between Ottawa, Canada and Lilongwe, Malawi leaves me working almost entirely independently, with only monthly check-ins as supervision.

This is evidently quite different from my time as an undergraduate student as I used to work based on deadlines and due dates- now I have several months to produce two research reports on subjects I am entirely unfamiliar with. This has proven to be the most fulfilling and interesting part of my work so far, despite my initial fears. Blind research is a very interesting way to spend weeks at a time, allowing my interests and curiosity lead my search rather than a syllabus. It can be very daunting at first, but it taught me to let go of my performance fears and delve into a foreign and strikingly interesting country.

My everyday work always begins with emails and passes on to researching whatever question needs answering that week. This usually leads to lunch, which then leads to either compiling the funding I was looking into this month and analyzing the content. I write this a month and a half into my internship, where I have now finished writing my first research report and am reviewing feedback that mentors and colleagues have given. I will admit, the writing of this report was definitely a relief as it was a return to the familiar processes that we use in university. Drafting the structure, writing out the bulk of the content and adding relevant citations, then requesting my friends and professors to review the paper is typically how I spend every weekend during the school year. Working this internship was a step into completely new territory and the lack of in person office culture, or having regular colleagues, or even working with material that is familiar threw me off more than transitioning to online work ever did. Bear in mind I work in customer service in the summer, and therefore have not worked at home yet.

That being said, I appreciate the opportunity as I believe it is fairly close to the work I will be doing in the future and being off balance at this stage is much more forgiving than the first few month at the first professional job I work would be.

This internship has allowed me the opportunity to reach out to some big names both in the field and at the university which has been an interesting element to my learning. I originally felt quite lost on where to start researching which led me to seek out experts to see how they approach these types of projects and what they like to see in the resulting reports. Networking is, of course, a somewhat mysterious aspect of career building we infrequently touch on in undergrad. These connections will hopefully continue to be fruitful and beneficial as time goes on.

Asma, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences with a Major in Criminology and a Minor in Law, Communications Support at the Forum of Federations

In March 2020, the World Health Organization announced that the corona virus outbreak had reached the level of a global health crisis. Many business activities transitioned online, except for essential businesses. And while all university courses were shifted to be at a distance, I was unsure to what extent the pandemic would affect my undergraduate studies - particularly when it came to experiential learning. Experiential learning is a significant aspect of my academic experience. It bridges the gap with classroom learning and constitutes a great opportunity to gain firsthand experience, while improving relevant professional and communication skills.

Nonetheless, it is important to acknowledge the efforts of the Faculty’s professors and staff who have coordinated with non-governmental organizations to make an international internship at a distance possible for students such as myself. And for that, I am truly grateful.

So, I began my internship in the fall providing communications support at the Forum of Federations. Although I have not been able to meet many of the Forum’s members and interact directly with stakeholders, it is amazing how much time and money is saved when working from home. My role at the Forum ranges from editing podcasts and book chapters to producing content to stimulate social media engagement. From an institutional perspective, the Forum’s core principle is “learning from each other.” And this is indeed the kind of opportunity the Forum’s members have given me - to learn from their knowledge and experience.

The pandemic has put to the test the effectiveness of federal countries’ institutional design while also highlighting the advantages of this form of government. Now more than ever, the impact of digital communication and indeed online volunteering are reshaping our understandings and conceptions of how to effectively work together as a global community.

The Forum is playing an important role in sharing the comparative experiences of federal countries in terms of how they manage and cope with the virus. The Forum’s impact goes beyond national borders and supports the growth of resilient local communities where everyone is valued and included in decision-making processes.

As I continue to adjust to my internship, I am eager to connect with more people from different countries and further integrate into the online community the Forum has fostered while also playing my part in flattening the curve.

Nicky, Honours Conflict Studies and Human Rights, CECI Nepal, Blue Diamond Society, Research Intern

In just a blink of an eye, the COVID-19 pandemic was declared and the world changed, sooner and quicker than we all expected.  Everyone and everything such as schools and workplaces were shifted to a virtual world and is now considered, the new ‘normal’. If anyone would have asked me a year ago, a month before the pandemic, even the week before that this was going to happen, I would not believe them. I got the email from uOttawa about the international internship and the opportunity to be an e-volunteer and I thought to make this possible. I have always wanted to go abroad so I used this to my advantage where I said, “Let’s go International… but let’s do it virtual”. I knew from the start that being physically there in another country, would be a totally different experience than doing it virtually, however, I knew with time and adjustments, it would still be a great experience. I am part of the first group of people to experience this internship fully virtual, from start to end so welcome to the new world.

I am working for the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) as a research intern in Nepal. CECI highly focuses on combating poverty and economic exclusion. In Nepal, the focus is on the economic empowerment of marginalized women and young women due to their identity such as gender, sexual orientation, caste, etc. When I began my internship with CECI Nepal, I was tasked to work with one of their partner organizations in supporting them and their work which focused on emphasizing attention toward economic and environmental rights. I chose to work along with Blue Diamond Society (BDS) in Nepal. This LGBTIQ rights organizations supports and advocates for the community in order for laws against homosexuality to be changed, in addition to the rights for marginalized transgender communities. As a research intern, I am tasked to conduct personal research to expand my knowledge of the organization, the host country, and the issues faced by the community. Furthermore, in recent days, I am tasked with a proposal to be sent regarding the economic concerns due to COVID-19 on the transgender community.

There is no denying that I would rather be doing this internship abroad.  However, remote work has allowed me to experience new challenges I never thought I would. The experience of new responsibilities and commitments I had never previously experienced allowed me to develop my skills as well as newer characteristics of myself. It opened my eyes to different perspectives of me and my work ethic. By nature, we are created to experience different scenarios, which assist in personal development as well as newer dimensions of life. The experience of massive time difference and limited communication forced my hand in being more independent and to try as hard as I can, but to never give up. Although there may seem as if there are many downsides of the time difference, it allowed me to work and expand on my time management skills while developing adaptability skills. As a result, it gave me different strategies in managing my stress and anxiety but also, the reality of a new life.

Lastly, the opportunity I’ve been given to do this internship abroad… but virtual, by CECI Nepal, has been the greatest experience for which I am grateful. The only thing coming in between you and this internship is the fear of “will I be able to do this?” And the answer is yes, you just have to want it, to face your fears and the obstacles along with it. Never pass on this opportunity, I highly recommend it, as you will NOT regret it.

Danika, Masters Program Criminology, United Nations Association of Canada, UNESCO Thailand

I received an email this summer from the Faculty of Social Sciences detailing an opportunity for an international internship. I had just started my Masters degree the year before in Ottawa. I packed up my car and drove from Alberta to Ontario. I was exhausted after such a long trip, but excited for new opportunities and experiences. In March of 2020, I, like many others, became filled with feelings of fear and uncertainty related to school, work, and even my personal life. In the midst of a global pandemic, I wondered if this email was a mistake. Upon closer reading, I noticed that key word that would clarify things for me: the internship was “remote.” Questions started running through my head. “How can an international internship play out virtually without any in-person interaction? Will this opportunity be as valuable online as it would be normally? Can I handle the new challenges that come with remote work at the international level?” These questions, among others, almost stopped me from following up with the office, but a part of me had to know more. After a lot of meetings, training, and administrative delays, many of which related to the decrease in internship opportunities because of COVID-19, I finally began my work.

Remote work is not entirely new for me. I am a research assistant on a Canadian project based in British Columbia, so I am used to a lot of online communication and interaction. As a teaching assistant, I have also had to adapt to new online formats since March of this year. Working remotely in an international context is not entirely new for me either. A couple of years ago, I taught English virtually to children living in China. I would wake up at 5AM for classes and teach until 7AM, but this was the only experience I had with such work. I have now found myself working with a time difference of over ten hours in this internship position. As I embark on this new ‘adventure’, I find myself dealing with challenges that I never could have imagined. I wanted to use this opportunity to talk briefly about my experience and reflect on the ways in which the internship has taught me a lot about myself, my research work, and others even in the short time that I have been working.

Comparative and international work forces us to be reflexive, by nature. We come to know our positionality in relation to those we work with and for in new ways. We come to understand the struggles of others in ways that we would not have been able to without such opportunities. Although the frustrations of limited communication, again thanks to a significant time difference, can seem like the worst thing in the world, I am humbled when I work in areas that aim to address challenges for those who struggle in ways I could never imagine. Understanding the pandemic and the immense difficulties it has created for others from different points of view makes it easier for me to reframe my own challenges in order to support organizations that are trying to positively impact communities. With these adversities, I am learning in ways that I never would have if I was travelling to my host country. Although I sometimes feel like I am missing out on certain aspects of this work, I also see the new ways in which I am learning to balance, adapt, and create boundaries between work and personal life in a home office (i.e. the corner of my bachelor apartment). I am learning about important work in a different region and getting the chance to contribute significantly, despite being so far away.

If you are reading this, I hope you take a chance on a new opportunity that might present itself to you. If it sounds crazy, it might just be one of the most important things that you do, not only for your work, but also for yourself. As a final note, I hope that people can find some sense of comfort in knowing that we are not alone in many of these challenges. Even as I write this from my quiet apartment, I try to find small moments of gratitude and connection, reminding myself that I am doing my best to adapt in uncertain times, just like everyone else.