International Blog

Yasmin, Masters in Public Administration, Alternatives Montréal, Palestine, Teacher Creativity Centre (TCC)

In my first year of my master’s degree in Public Administration at the University of Ottawa, I decided to take part in an international internship as opposed to enrolling in a course. I am currently working with the Teacher Creativity Centre (TCC), a Palestinian NGO that works on issues with respect to education, in collaboration with Alternatives, a Montréal-based NGO that aims to maintain and strengthen collective rights. Due to the global pandemic, it was evident that I would complete my internship with unprecedented procedures, in other words, rapid leapfrogging into remote working. In the early stages of my internship, I unfortunately caught COVID-19 and so my internship had been quite slow and was not progressing as instrumentally on my end. Despite this setback, it has helped me gain professional experience, hands-on learning and expand my network in the comfort of my home. I am currently tasked with conducting interviews with educators and other actors in the coming weeks. Even though my work is online, I can utilize my research skills and knowledge from academia and apply it to my internship assignments.

Without question, I would much rather be doing my internship abroad if it weren’t for the wrath of COVID-19. However, remote work has allowed me to experience new challenges that I never expected to face. A significant skill that I have mastered during my internship includes time management and completing heavy workloads, all while completing my graduate degree. This internship is important experience for me, that has some great impacts in the rest of my job and career. Skills such as decision-making, risk management, communication, teamwork, and team building will carry out throughout my life. In other words, this experience will not necessarily stay with me only during my internship contract, but it will stay with me for my entire career moving forward. 

Take heart: the COVID-19 pandemic will end. Its legacy will be long lasting, but not all quite bad; the breakthroughs, social services, and systems we develop can be used to the betterment of everyone. If I take inspiration from the successes and lessons from this international internship at a distance, I can apply what I’ve learned to my career and be ready for what I will be up against in today’s job market.

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.

Prattiga, POL, Alternatives, Palestine, Teachers Creativity Centre

I am currently working with the Teachers Creativity Centre based in Palestine. This internship has made me acutely aware of global inequalities.  In terms of managing the risks associated with COVID-19 , Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have yet to have access to vaccinations. Meanwhile, I am fully vaccinated while safely working from home. Palestinians have been confronted with an increase in bombing, unlawful evictions, and overall violence this summer. In contrast, I have been able to enjoy the relative comfort of living with my family during the pandemic without fear.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the inequalities and contradictions in our global political and economic system. It has also revealed opportunities that have not been fully utilized until now. I am currently doing research on education in Palestine and will be conducting interviews with educators and others in the field in the coming weeks. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to connect with locals that have first-hand experience and knowledge. I know that with the checkpoints, safety concerns, and ongoing political unrest - it is unlikely that I would have been able to go to Palestine and work there in person.  International internships having been shifted to online have given opportunities to students in the West to work  and collaborate with organizations in parts of the world that are deemed ‘unsafe’ and ‘unstable’ in ways that seemed difficult before the pandemic. There have been moments of this internship that were tough and confusing, but nonetheless I find myself feeling very content and fulfilled with the work that I am doing. Overall, I am thankful for the experience that I likely would not have been able to take part in if it were not for the changes made in response to COVID-19.

Elham, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives, Palestine, Teacher Creativity Center

Four weeks used to seem like a long time, however, I think these have been the fastest four weeks I have ever experienced. That being said, these weeks have been very educational, eye opening, and an opportunity everyone can experience.

I am fortunate enough to be able to work with Alternatives and Teacher Creativity Center in Palestine this summer. Teacher Creativity Center works is based in Palestine and works to empower teachers and improve the educational environment and develop the tools the teachers need to be able to help students with the psychological impact the occupation has caused them. It also strives to involve the youth in the public policies by reinforcing their capacities as youth and claiming their rights. My task, along with my partner, is to write a research paper looking at educational movements and how that could be implemented in Palestine, keeping in mind the political, social, and economic aspect of the country. I am still getting used to everything, however, the classes that I attended during my four years of International Development, such as politics, economics, development theories, etc. have really helped me in the internship.

COVID has changed many things, and doing an internship is no different. On the one hand, doing an online internship feels like you’re missing out on a lot in terms of experiencing different cultures and countries. On the other hand, I wouldn’t have been able to have this chance if it had not been for the existence of online internships. I am not saying that it is not difficult, because it is, especially with the time difference, but there are many benefits to it and with technology, there are so many different ways to be connected with both the host organization and the Canadian NGO.

Overall I have been enjoying my time so far with TCC and have learned so many different things that further opened my eyes to the world. I look forward to what else I can learn from this amazing opportunity.

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.

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

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.