International Blog

Avery, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives, India, India Civil Watch International

In the last few weeks of my internship with India Civil Watch International (ICWI), I have been able to practice some real tangible skills that really made me feel like a real member of the team and feel that my work has had value for the organization. I have been able to find a new passion for communications and design, something that I have never believed myself to be very capable at, but after creating a few reports for my NGO, I was lucky enough to have received considerable praise and encouragement from my team.

This encouragement from my coworkers and supervisors has been a repeating factor that has allowed me to really want to work better and to really feel like I was actually helping. One of my supervisors also encouraged me to do some social activism of my own, in the form of writing a letter to my MP. This was a sort of final assignment to show to my organization exactly everything I had learned concerning the issues they were focused on, as well as to help promote their organization in Canada.

I really have enjoyed this internship as my experience working with an NGO, after having worked various government jobs I was a little lost and did not know in what direction my career was going. But after this internship, I seem to be a little clearer. It’s so nice to have work experience in a place where I am not only interested in the work they are doing, but also feel like I can actually be an important part of the team someone who is beneficial to the organization. I’m just so happy to have had an experience where going forward, I can see exactly what I want, instead of wondering if I will be able to find a career I enjoy.

Hayat, International Development and Globalization, Forum of Federations, Ethiopia, MENA and Ethiopia Project Support

Working with an organization that prioritizes federalism to establish equality and democracy has opened my eyes in ways that I could not have anticipated. This experience has redefined my understanding of development.  

Federalism is a concept that is unique but could also serve as a building block for developing countries to achieve democratic principles, expand local government services, personal freedoms, and eliminate tyranny. The Forum of Federations recognizes this and develops projects that expand federalism across the world. Hence, my understanding of the concept has expanded with involvement in ongoing projects of the Ethiopia team.  

In my studies thus far, I have learned about the various mechanisms to achieving prosperity, such as neoliberalist principles and democracy, but federalism brings another aspect to development that is less pronounced. Federalism, if properly implemented by governments in the third world could help prevent poverty by granting state governments the liberties to adopt legislation that impacts more diverse viewpoints enhancing the participation of citizens in politics, the economy, and the rest of society. 

Olivia, Psychology, ALTERNATIVES, Democratic Republic of Congo, Solidarité des femmes pour le développement integral (SOFEDI)

My experience as an intern has allowed me to reflect on the notion that big dreams are realized when we take manageable, small steps that eventually contribute to our end goal. As an eager international NGO intern, I was naturally enthralled by the idea of working for an organization with powerful, important mandates like helping to fight for women’s rights, or improving access to education. I wanted to be involved because my personal values and hopes for the world goals align with many of the NGO organizations. When I found out I would be interning for SOFEDI, I was so excited because their mission is to improve gender equality and women’s rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I was even more excited by getting to choose to have my work focus on their efforts towards improving women’s reproductive and sexual rights, a cause I am highly passionate about. This passion and value alignment is something I believe to be one of the most important factors for future interns to keep in mind.

As my internship began, I found myself beginning to feel as though I was not getting the fulfillment of feeling like I was contributing to the causes I am passionate about. I believe the virtual component of these internships has a lot to do with the possibility of feeling disconnected. Completing virtual tasks on my computer at home like translating documents and readings, while my colleagues are across the world, taking action with boots on the ground made me feel as though I was not having an impact and not contributing to improving women’s rights in Congo.

I had to pause and re-evaluate my thoughts and feelings. This involved reflecting on my role as an intern, my expectations of the experience and the reality of what working at an NGO is like. In doing this, I was able to remind myself of important things to keep in mind throughout the rest of the internship, and things that are worth remembering in the future when undertaking any new role. As interns, we are assigned work that may not be directly related with the big-picture goal of the NGO but is so important to remember that those tasks so indeed contribute to the organization. I am reminding myself that although at times my virtual tasks may not seem like they are having a direct impact on the people across the world that the NGO aims to help, every big accomplishment is the cumulation of smaller actions. Our virtual tasks are just as important for the organization to run smoothly, to free up time for our colleagues/directors to focus on other projects which in turn contributes to helping the target communities and reaching the NGO’s goals.

I have found it helpful to remain as up to date as possible with all of my NGO’s activities and news to be able to witness progress in action. The best part is when I look ahead at 6 months, 1 year, 5 years and 10 years from now, I can imagine all the progress and accomplishments towards their goal they will have reached. The big impact in 5-10 years may not be obvious to me now as a remote intern, but that provides a great chance to reflect on work ethic and dedication that are needed in NGO’s. I am learning that it is about remaining committed to one’s goal every day for the greater good of the mission we hold dear to our hearts.

Natalia, International Development and Globalization, Mines Action Canada Columbia Campaña Colombiana Contra Mina(CCCM), Project Support Officer

My internship with Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas (CCCM - or the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines) has been the first position I have held directly in the field of development. Given that the nongovernmental sector plays an extensive role in this field, this internship has been a great learning experience for me. I have learned about the challenges Colombia encounters regarding violence and landmines in the rural sectors of the country as well as how CCCM tackles landmines and their impacts. Through my internship, I have gained knowledge not only from a professional perspective, but also a personal perspective.

As a Colombian who moved to the United States at the age of 11, I have found this to be a great opportunity to expand my comprehension of my country, in specific its rural areas, and how violence affects them, as well as learn about Colombia’s past and present situations. Since starting my internship, I have felt more capable of speaking with others about Colombia, its current predicaments, and its development. In turn, my internship has helped me understand my country more deeply, an opportunity of which I am highly appreciative.

Furthermore, in my position, I have learned about CCCM’s role at helping to address the struggles stemming from landmines. It has been an enormous opportunity as I have gained experience with the various tasks that the project team undertakes. More specifically, I have understood how NGOs such as this one cooperate with stakeholders such as other organizations, local communities, and even within their own organization. I feel confident that I am nearing the end of this internship with an expanded skillset, perspective, and awareness.

Avery, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives, India, India Civil Watch International

My internship with India Civil Watch International, is probably the best work experience I have ever been lucky enough to be a part of. India Civil Watch International or ICWI, is a human rights monitoring and advocacy organization with its headquarters in New York, USA. With deep ties to the most important social movements in India, it both alerts international civil society to urgent and evolving priorities, and advocates for rights and protections of vulnerable populations.

I have been lucky enough throughout this internship to be connected to a team who has taken the time to educate me about various topics concerning the history and current events of India, whether it be the Caste System, political prisoners, or the work of human rights activists all over India. I was even invited to attend the memorial service of an amazing human rights activist, which was not only an incredibly honouring and emotional experience, but so educational. This team has worked hard to make sure not only that I have plenty of work to do, but also ensure that I am fully confident in my knowledge. I can honestly say that while there is so much more to learn, as India has a vast history with millions of different stories to tell, I feel confident in my ability to work and produce well-done content. This is something I have never felt working for any other organization.

Mostly, I just feel grateful to work in a team of men that are as caring, and open minded as this one. Being the only female on a team can be quite daunting, and my past experiences haven’t always been very positive, but this team has allowed me to feel confident to speak up and ask questions. I recommend this organization to any student looking for experience pertaining to development or human rights in South Asia.

Sachini, Criminology, Alternatives, Sri Lanka, National Fishery Solidarity Organisation (NAFSO), Human Rights Officer

If you have heard about Sri Lanka, you know how beautiful the country is; especially the beaches. International internships are built to live the experience of the host country while keeping up the work you do. The change in the environment is something that motivates you to keep up with your work. However, no one really expected a pandemic to happen! Of course, virtual learning has been there for a long time but no one knew how useful it was until everyone was quarantined.

My internship is at National Fishery Solidarity Organization (NAFSO) working as a human rights researcher. They primarily focus on land grabbing and sea grabbing of marginalized communities and disadvantaged single mothers. Their main theme is to fight human rights violations post-war. With the chairman’s approval, I was able to relate my research to my degree. I am a fourth-year student doing an honours bachelors in Criminology. The main focus of this internship is on Corruption, Torture and Enforced Disappearances of ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka.

At distance, internships do not require many preparations as to being in the field but let me tell you virtual ones are just as hard. Being on top of your things is very important. For me, that was the hardest. When you have too much time on your hand, you tend to drift away, however, I had two amazing colleagues who kept me motivated and reminded me of our tasks and deadlines. NAFSO’s community is understanding and flexible on what you would like to do. I definitely would love to intern with them again.  

Olivia, Psychology, ALTERNATIVES, Democratic Republic of Congo, Solidarité des femmes pour le développement integral (SOFEDI)

My first month of being an intern at SOFEDI in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been far different from my expectations. Despite the preparations I made such as reading past blogs and pre-departure training that led me to believe I knew what to expect, I think the reality of it being far different from what I expected is a really good experience to lean into my abilities of adaptability and flexibility. Remembering that things can change and that remaining flexible throughout it all is one of the best tools I can suggest to future interns.

So far, I have been asked to translate documents which I feel comfortable with thanks to my bilingualism and to compose some documentation. This particular documentation task left me perplexed because there wasn’t as much instruction and detailed guideline that I would have hoped for. In this case, I realized I had to compose good questions and admit that I needed further help. Future interns should know to expect that sometimes they will be asked things they do not quite understand. Part of the learning experience in this is to learn what we can accomplish on our own and how to efficiently ask for more clarification, help and feedback when needed.

Despite these challenges, I have had the chance to learn so much about the important issues that I hold dear to my heart. For instance, reading over the documents from SOFEDI and hearing from the team has provided me the chance to learn about the reality of women’s reproductive and sexual rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. While reading reports they have composed it caused me to pause and reflect on the passion and commitment they must have toward the organization. I am seeing first-hand the dedication and hard work required to bring change to a culture and to government. It has made me even more appreciative of the work of NGO’s all around the world and inspired me to bring my same passion for women’s rights while I am completing tasks for the organization. Being passionate about a topic or issue makes the work I am doing so much more meaningful and important. This is why I recommend that future interns focus on choosing to work for an organization that supports issues they are passionate about. 

I am looking forward to the rest of my internship and hopeful that I contribute however small my part may be, towards the progress and changes this organization is working towards.

Natalia, International Development and Globalization, Mines Action Canada Columbia Campaña Colombiana Contra Mina, Project Support Officer

As a student in international development, I have repeatedly learned about the broad extent of development projects with substantial objectives and with differing levels of attainment. We cover the theory of development and the undeniable reach of this field, analyzing its history and potential. In my program, I have also had the opportunity to learn about the small steps and processes that make up projects and undertakings. Nevertheless, it is certainly an eye-opening experience to see this aspect in practice.

Through my internship, I have learned about the very basis of development from the perspective of a nongovernmental organization. I have had the opportunity of drafting letters, helping me build on my professional interpersonal communication in a way I had not done previously. Similarly, I have helped conduct research as a very foundation for procedures, as well as revise texts directed at stakeholders. In turn, I am applying and gaining skills that will be essential in the future. Beyond these skills, however, I am learning how it is the minute details that drive action in development; it is through the small-scale tasks that progress is made. As an intern, I have seen how these all come together to achieve an objective, and how even minor assignments can play a major role in the accomplishment of major successes. All projects are built through attention and completion of minor components, the letters written, the research performed, and more.

I am thus gaining experience in the groundwork, which I had not thoroughly considered in the past. I realized that I have tended to base my understanding of the field in general, focusing on the big picture of where my career will take me, but not stopping to think about the details that would make it possible. This internship has helped me conceptualize the realities of projects and what makes up the extensive amount of work that goes into them. Moreover, it is reaffirming my interest in project management and planning and is providing me with experience to enhance my competencies.

Hayat, International Development and Globalization, Forum of Federations, Ethiopia, MENA and Ethiopia Project Support

A month into the internship, I would have to say that this experience has already been one to remember. In the past month and a half, I have learned to use my voice in uncomfortable times.

Ultimately, the internship hadn’t started the way I anticipated. It was challenging at first to converse with the team and receive input from them through email. This had caused me to immediately categorize them as reserved, passive, and uninvolved.  After giving it a few days, I realized that I am responsible for making this experience one to remember so I took the first step in changing this situation.

 By applying all the strategies learned in the pre-internship workshop, I have been able to mould my experience to be worth my while. It’s important to lay the groundwork in communicating your needs and setting expectations when working virtually which has proven to be key to my accomplishments thus far.

So I write this to remind you of the importance of staying true to yourself and taking initiative. It’s important to realize that we are all going through something, but you have the power to change your situation by being proactive. This is especially important when working in a new work environment, team, and society.

Rideau, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives, Lesotho Association of Teachers, Quality Education Research Officer

I am a remote intern with Alternatives, and they placed me with an amazing host NGO, the Lesotho Association of Teachers. This is a teacher’s union that supports for the mostly female teachers in Lesotho, and advocates for education for all children. Lesotho currently has Free Primary Education for all children, but there are still barriers for some children to accessing education, and post-primary education is even less accessible.

As an intern, I will be helping the teacher’s association with implementing their strategic plan for the rest of the year. This will look like applying for funding, creating proposals for projects, and giving presentations.

My first month with the Lesotho Association of Teachers was spent learning from them and preparing a presentation to give to a group of 40 female teachers at a gender equality and female leadership conference funded by Education International. My presentation was about gender equality and feminism. I started by defining some key terms, gave them some statistics about the treatment of women worldwide, and then showed a TED Talk by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie entitled “We Should All Be Feminists.” Then, I spoke about my own experiences with gender inequality in Canada and spoke about the benefits of female leadership.

My presentation was followed by a discussion period where many teachers informed me that they now identify as feminists, which made me very happy and proud. I was glad to receive lots of positive feedback.

I was expecting the time difference combined with remote work to be a bigger issue, but I was able to connect with the conference over Zoom with no issue, and to easily connect with my supervisor to discuss work. I am glad that technology has made it possible for me to participate in an international internship even if I can’t go to Lesotho physically.

Said, Masters Political Science, United Nations Association of Canada, Kenya, UN-Habitat

Aside from my work with my supervisor discussing global homelessness, I found another assignment within U.N Habitat. It is a recycling project within Matharare, Kenya and it aims to raise funds to contact North American universities. The goal is to ask them to provide assistance and collaborate with us to establish a recycling program.

For this project, I worked primarily with other students. We divided into teams, each having a separate goal. My team worked on creating a list of clubs at North American universities that were either recycling or African orientated. My focus was less on my own work but working within a group. This involved planning and collaboration not just within my own team but also with the other teams in order to meet our goal through weekly meetings.

Being abroad, there was a little miscommunication at first regarding tasks. Everyone was in different time zones, so communicating on time was difficult. However, I overcame these obstacles by remaining in contact with my team through group conversations. For me, this experience has emphasized the importance of teamwork regarding people in similar positions as me.

To reach our goals, it was important to meet deadlines. I always kept this in mind when working on my assignments. I found working in a team of fellow interns enjoyable as for most of my internship, I worked independently. Having others constantly giving me feedback allowed me to correct and improve at a faster pace. As well, it was nice to work with other students going through the same experience as me. Through this, I felt we could understand each other a bit more. As my internship approaches the end, I have been satisfied with this project and the work I have done.

Heather, DVM, Word University Service Canada, Malawi, Coalition for the empowerment of Women and Girls (CEWAG), Communications and Visitibility Office.

Working as a remote intern with WUSC in Ottawa, Canada to then be partnered with the NGO CEWAG in Lilongwe, Malawi demonstrates how various methods of globalization have affected the implementation of international development projects. According to Albrow and King (1990), the term ‘globalization’ refers to the “process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide. Globalization has accelerated since the 18th century due to advances in transportation and communication technology. This increase in global interactions has caused a growth in international trade and the exchange of ideas, beliefs, and culture” (p. 17). In my program of study (International Development and Globalization) at uOttawa, the concept and theories of globalization were primarily focused in the first and second year of the program. The concept and theories of international development were focused on in the third and fourth year of the program. The following blog post explores how I have experienced and recognized both concepts in the field through my placement, and how I have observed their interactions and influence over one-another.

Globalization has emerged as a means to ensure economic and cultural growth of individuals, and the rise in urbanization and the closer integration of the world economy has facilitated this through global interconnectedness. However, the increased number of people trading and traveling across the globe was also a significant contributor to the spread of Covid-19, resulting in a global pandemic that reduced individual’s physical interconnectedness (Shresth, 2020). This created a situation in which providing support for international development projects internationally by travelling to the country to provide physical support was no longer possible, so many international development organizations had to turn to different methods of globalization to deliver the same results. As mentioned previously, globalization has accelerated advances in both transportation and communications technology, so when transportation to developing countries was no longer possible due to social distancing and stay-at-home guidelines, the international development community and other international actors turned to reinforcing their efforts for improving communication technology between development actors. During the first months of the pandemic, digital media use tremendously increased as people spent more time at home due to the lockdowns. Such increases were especially prevalent for social media and messaging apps, but particularly remarkable was the unprecedented uptake in video conferencing apps and programs (Nguyen et al., 2020). I witnessed this process through my own experiences working with WUSC and CEWAG. Prior to the pandemic, I would have been sent to work in Lilongwe with CEWAG in-person, and would have likely been spending the majority of my time there working on projects and getting to know the staff and their various stakeholders. However, due to my inability to travel to Lilongwe, I spend 100% of my working hours completing tasks on my computer and discussing with the team through communications technologies like email and Whatsapp. I believe that if I had been there in person the quantity of my work hours spent on my computer and on communications technologies would have been significantly reduced, so it is evident that a lack of one method of globalization (ie. transportation to the developing country) had to be replaced by another tool in order to complete similar duties (ie. working remotely on my computer, utilizing communications technologies).

I believe that Covid-19 has sped up the process of globalization in terms of communication technologies and reduced the quantity of travel that will occur in the future for international development projects. Although it is likely that travel to developing countries to deliver international development projects will continue after government restrictions have been lifted, it is my opinion that international development organisations will utilize communications technologies more now that it has been proven to work well for those with the right technology.

References

Albrow, M. & King, E. (1990). Globalization, Knowledge and Society. SAGE Publications, p.17.

Nguyen M., Gruber, J., Fuchs, J., Marler, W., Hunsaker, A., & Hargittai, E. (September 9, 2020). Changes in Digital Communication During the COVID-19 Global Pandemic: Implications for Digital Inequality and Future Research. Social Media + Society. doi:10.1177/2056305120948255

Shrestha, N. (December 20, 2020). The impact of Covid-19 on globalization. Elsevier, p. 1.

Said, Masters Political Science, United Nations Association of Canada, Kenya, UN-Habitat

When I first secured the position, I was worried I might be in a little in over my head due to the reputation of a group such as UN-Habitat Kenya. I was fearful that my work would not be up to standard or I might let my supervisor down. This was my first time working with an official development organization with such a reputation and prestige. When the internship started around June and we had our first meetings, my worry did increase a bit. My first major assignment was to help create a PowerPoint on global homelessness that my supervisor will present at a U.N conference. Having my work presented at such a high stake event made me feel somewhat anxious but also motivated to work even harder than I had before to not let UN-Habitat down.

During our first meeting, my worry did die down with further information. There was excellent coordination and division of tasks within the teams. As well, I felt I was able to trust the judgment of my supervisors due to their experience. Before I began work on my assignment, I was given smaller tasks to adequately prepare. I was to gather information and sources on global homelessness along with a detailed outline of what content I should research. It ranged from defining homelessness to the impacts of Covid-19 on homelessness. With this, I had a clear goal and tasks in mind to keep me busy during my internship. I also found the team professional and organized. Despite the time differences, we were able to coordinate meetings at a set time at which we all could meet.

For my assignment, I received excellent and constructive feedback. My supervisor gave me detailed explanations to help guide my work: that I should tailor my language toward a more global audience when discussing the issues homelessness; when using selected countries, I should specify that these are just selected cases. This has helped me improve my writing skills for future assignments.I found my assignments deadline manageable, I have been able to schedule my hours for work. As my internship and assignments are focusing on a more global perspective, I have not had much interaction regarding local Kenyan issues. I feel working with UN Habitat to be a rewarding experience as it has broadened my understanding of global issues such as homelessness and how it is handled by development policy makers.. In addition, I found it has helped me become more confident in my writing and presentation skills due to the feedback from my supervisors.

Alyna, International Development and Globalization, Communications Officer at CECI, SETU Nepal

As I am nearing the final month of my remote internship with SETU Nepal, I have really begun to feel the full effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Obviously, the pandemic is the reason this internship is remote to begin with; however, as of late I have been faced with several other challenges. Remote international work can be described by one ultimate barrier: time. Time differences present a real challenge – one that is difficult to overcome, as it cannot be changed. It is therefore crucial that you adapt quickly and manage your expectations accordingly. For instance, Canada and Nepal have around a 10-hour time difference, so my workday is starting just as my counterparts’ days are ending. This makes communication tricky. I have had to adapt my schedule to make sure I have time in the mornings to ask any questions or make any clarifications before it gets too late in Nepal, otherwise I have to wait until the next day to get a response.

On top of the time difference, Nepal has been in lockdown for quite some time. As things start to open up again here, they are still struggling. So, my organization, SETU Nepal, has been extremely busy with COVID-19 response activities. This has made it even more difficult at times to contact them and to receive new work from them, as they are off helping the community. Obviously, I am very understanding of the situation there, but it has made it difficult nonetheless for me to feel productive in my daily work activities. If I finish a task and have not been given new instructions, I have to wait until they have a free moment to chat about what is next.

These barriers caused by COVID – as frustrating and difficult as they may be – have forced me to adapt to the new “normal.” Changing my schedule, waking up earlier, being more precise with my emails, and relying on my own troubleshooting skills at times have all been areas that I have had to improve or change. Ultimately, I still feel that this experience has made me a better intern and will hopefully also make me a better student and employee in the future, and for that reason I would not change a thing.

Kasandra, Sociology, Alternatives, Sri Lanka, National Fisheries Solidarity, Human Rights Research Office

As I am nearing the end of my internship, I am grateful for being part of this wonderful experience. I learned a lot about Sri Lanka’s history and have developed many new skills that will be useful in my future career. Most of all, I am grateful for the people that I have worked with as it would not have been the same without them.

In the beginning, as most internships likely start, there was a lot of confusion and misunderstandings, especially because we were working from a distance. However, part of the internship is to put your communication and other skills to the test to adapt and overcome the issues. Once you master communication skills and time management, it’s smooth sailing from there. The new skills you will learn will be easy to adapt to and will be beneficial for your future.

For any future students who are thinking about doing an internship: just do it. It is a huge advantage to have, it will make your resume stand out and most importantly, it is your chance of helping an organization that needs help. In my case, my organization was working on women’s access to basic human rights, and I was fortunate enough to be able to choose what specific topic I wanted to do research on, which was women's vulnerabilities on the socio-economic level. This way, you can choose a topic that interests you! Once again, highly recommend it for anyone to take part in, you will not regret it.

Elham, DVM, Alternatives, Palestine, Teacher Creativity Centre, Researching Gender Equality

To be honest, when I first got the email from the university about having an online internship, I wasn’t that thrilled about it and was in fact very skeptical on how that would work. The appeal of having an international internship is experiencing a new culture and a new perspective to things and I just couldn't see how that would happen with an online internship. After completing almost four months of my internship, I am happy to say that I was very wrong. I got to learn and experience all of that and so much more.

Because of the pandemic, I had the opportunity to work with an organization located in Palestine and with amazing people who have taught me so much. Usually this internship is unavailable due to security risks. Even though it was a bit difficult at the beginning to navigate through having an online internship, with the help of everyone around me, it became an amazing learning experience that I would never change for anything nor forget.

During these four months, I have learned more about Palestine and its educational system than I have in the last couple of years where I have been researching and learning about the country. One of the aspects of my internship was to look at educational education in Palestine, and it was amazing to see the work they are doing. These organizations have found creative ways to teach students and involve them in their community despite and because of the Occupation they are under. Reading about their accomplishments was truly amazing and inspiring.

For anyone who is skeptical about doing an online internship, I hope you end up choosing to do it because it truly is an opportunity that you cannot miss. I know that it might not sound as exciting as actually going to a different country, but there is literally nothing for you to lose, only to gain. Even though it might seem lonely to do an internship online, there are so many people who are there to help you get the most of this experience.

Prattiga, Political Science, Alternatives, Palestine, Teachers Creativity Centre

In my last Blog post, I compared my position in the world as a university student in Canada to those living in Palestine. I spoke of major events, restrictions, and military violence but I did not speak on how these structural challenges actually impacts people on the ground - nor did I speak on their resilience.

My internship primarily focused on research in education in Palestine. This in-depth study has truly opened my eyes to how destabilization impacts individuals and communities. Checkpoints and other restrictions make it difficult for students to travel and attend school. Many teachers are paid very little and struggle to make ends meet. Nonetheless, communities come together to create organizations that address such challenges. In my research, I found local organizations that emphasised the need to study psychology and understand trauma in order to educate youth effectively. Other organizations that placed a high value on youth empowerment and challenged the top-down structure that educational institutions typically have. I also came across many organizations that emphasized the need to challenge gender oppression early on through education. In a country that is struggling to provide access to education, I was amazed to find so many dedicated local organizations that are filling this gap with goals of providing and improving education. I am incredibly thankful for this experience that allowed me to better understand a part of the world that is so different from my own.

As my internship is coming to an end, I am reflecting on the new relationships I have formed and the work that I have contributed to. My host organization, Teacher Creativity Centre, does fantastic progressive work in the field of education. I am grateful to have contributed to their work in a small way.

Emily, Honours of Criminology, Communications officer at CECI and Prerana, Nepal

With only two weeks remaining in my mandate, I find myself shocked that the end of my internship is almost here. Although I am very pleased with the things I have had the opportunity to accomplish and learn over the course of the last three months, I wish this experience did not have to come to an end yet. However, now I am going to push myself to get involved in more opportunities where I can be an advocate for gender inequality, environmental sustainability, and inclusion issues, where I will use the amazing skills I have developed during my internship experience.

As I take this time to reflect on my time as an academic E- Volunteer with the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and their partnering organization Prerana, I am extremely grateful that I had this opportunity to work with such amazing organizations, even at a distance. At the beginning of my mandate I was very worried about conducting an internship remotely. I remember feeling quite nervous about everything that could go wrong virtually, such as not being able to connect and make relationships with the people that I work with, not being able to communicate much with potential internet issues and a time difference barrier, and not being able to understand and show respect towards the Nepali culture. All of these worries quickly vanished as I met the team and could instantly tell how kind and supportive everyone was. It has been an amazing learning experience, very different from anything I have been involved in before. There were a couple instances where I felt stressed, confused and a bit stuck, but the Faculty of Social Science and CECI teams were always providing support and assistance along the way. I have learned how to adapt to unique situations and circumstances, which will prepare me for any future endeavours where I have to remain open minded and flexible while working. Aside from receiving good professional experience and skills, I also feel as though I have grown personally as a result of the internship. I feel more confident in my skills and am a lot more resilient in stressful situations because I finally understand how to adapt, be accepting, and adjust in adverse situations that arise in the workplace.

Overall, my internship has been fulfilling, positive, and a great opportunity to grow. I urge anyone who is interested in doing an international internship at a distance while the pandemic keeps us from physically being in the field, to seriously consider it. My advice that I would give someone who is going to take part in this experience would be to make the most of your time because it will be over before you know it!

Sarah, ECH, Alternatives, Uganda, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, Program support and research officer

The skills that I have developed within the classroom have proved to be exceedingly helpful in contributing to my experience in the workplace. As I am a fourth-year student in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, my academic studies have mostly pertained to international humanitarian law, social injustices, and international relations. For my internship, I am a program and research support officer in the advocacy and communications division, with The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA). Our main headquarters is located in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. Many of my responsibilities entail assisting with the preparation and production of communication materials, providing support in developing and refining press, media and public statements, and providing any additional support for advocacy and projects that SIHA undertakes.

Many of the skills that I have learned in classes such as Theories of Conflict, Introduction to Women, Gender, and Feminism, and Introduction to International Human Rights Law and Institutions have all provided me with the skills that are required in my workplace. I have learned everything from critical thinking skills, academic writing, critical analysis, researching skills, and the ability to identify different theoretical perspectives and apply them to my work. Much of my work as a program and research support officer pertains to qualitative writing and researching, many of the skills in which I have acquired from my Qualitative Methods in Conflict Studies and Human Rights course. I often critically analyze sources in which I gather from my research, summarize and support main arguments, as well as produce academic writing. Since many of the skills that I have learned pertain to my work, my program has provided me with an intellectual toolkit that I possess at my disposal.

My internship has also provided me with many experiences that I can take into my future. Working with a team has substantially improved my cooperation, coordination, and organization skills. By navigating deadlines with team members, coordinating workloads, and analyzing group projects, cooperation is vital in order to perform as a productive and reliable member of the team. The skills in which I have acquired from my internship and academic education have provided me with a skill set that I can use to redefine my future and take into further careers, as well as the ability to overcome challenges and adapt to new circumstances.

Kasandra, SOC, Alternatives, Sri Lanka, National Fisheries Solidarity, Human Rights Research Office

As I am nearing the end of my internship, I am grateful for being part of this wonderful experience. I learned a lot about Sri Lanka’s history and have developed many new skills that will be useful in my future career. Most of all, I am grateful for the people that I have worked with as it would not have been the same without them.

In the beginning, as most internships likely start, there was a lot of confusion and misunderstandings, especially because we were working from a distance. However, part of the internship is to put your communication and other skills to the test to adapt and overcome the issues. Once you master communication skills and time management, it’s smooth sailing from there. The new skills you will learn will be easy to adapt to and will be beneficial for your future.

For any future students who are thinking about doing an internship: just do it. It is a huge advantage to have, it will make your resume stand out and most importantly, it is your chance of helping an organization that needs help. In my case, my organization was working on women’s access to basic human rights, and I was fortunate enough to be able to choose what specific topic I wanted to do research on, which was women's vulnerabilities on the socio-economic level. This way, you can choose a topic that interests you! Once again, highly recommend it for anyone to take part in, you will not regret it.