International Blog

As a student nearing the end of my Undergraduate Degree, it is challenging to see where different roads of employment and the future will lead me. As for many students in Social Science programs, the field is vast with expansive options of engagement. The discourse around programs like mine often involves students seeking government work and opportunities. Especially for students trying to find a sense of stable footing during and after their education, government work is very desirable for this. Like an unwritten step to being successful, almost all my peers during co-op semesters or summers were employed in student government roles. During my second and third years of university, while I listened to my peer’s experiences in their new jobs and how well they were doing, I felt that I had missed out on success. That they had a head start and I was left to the sidelines. It wasn’t until I was accepted for the International Internship program at the University of Ottawa, that my mindset changed. 

Within international development, it is often the NGO, civil society, grass-root and union organizations that are crucial and integral to building resilience in under-developed nations. Organizations like the Lesotho Association of Teachers, whose soul purpose is the uphold and protect the rights to free and quality education for all, are the ones on the ground protecting teachers and students. It is organizations like these that work and fight against the damaging symptoms of capitalism and corruption. It is organizations like these that are run by local people, who know and advocate properly for what their communities need and hold the key to their development and happiness. Since the start of my internship ship, every day I see more and more of how important this organization is in protecting the social and human rights of the teachers and students in Lesotho.

Not only has this internship exposed the plethora of paths to the future in front of me, but it has also given me tangible international work experience. I believe it is true, that working within the NGO field gives you a deeper level of engagement with world issues. It can be easy to forget your purpose and passion when you are stuck in an office and have no contact with the people you are trying to help. NGO work breathes life into practice and represents the heart of what development is. I hope future students and people looking to get involved in the field of international development consider the value of NGO work and do not subscribe to other's paths of success. But instead, to know that when you stay true to your goals, everything will work itself out.

I am grateful to the faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) for making my dream come true. In fact, this international internship represents a huge opportunity for me. Working for a UN agency has always been my aspiration, and I feel honoured to have been selected as an intern at UN-Habitat in Kenya in the Human Rights and Social Inclusion unit.

The internship includes a full-time position and also a course component. It is important to mention that the course component offered by the faculty is essential to succeeding in the internship. In fact, the preparatory meetings and training sessions we had prior to the start of the work term guided us through the internship. We learned how to manage stress, risk, and ourselves in the internship environment. Our professor also explained how to handle ethical dilemmas and accountabilities in international cooperation and how to navigate the dynamics of social inequality and privilege in international development practice. Therefore, when I faced challenges during the internship, I already had the tools to overcome them. Then, after starting the internship, the university kept guiding us through different meetings in which each one of us would share their experience and concerns, and we were given the best advice. In reality, the supervision of the faculty is of great help.

For the tasks I’ve done so far with my NGO, I initially got a chance to learn about the agency’s work by taking a few online courses. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a force for positive transformation for people and communities, victims of discrimination, poverty, and inequality. The agency works with its partners to build safe, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities to ensure a better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world.

I have also been given the task of retrieving information about a few groups of individuals in order to study their existing dynamics. Moreover, I researched some of the individuals who will attend the World Urban Forum that will happen from June 26 to June 30 and provided their bios.

In regard to the distance aspect of the internship, it is fair to say that it has its challenges, especially in communication. However, I think that a virtual internship is the best way to build new skills, as you not only learn how to put theory into practice but you also develop resilience and flexibility. In fact, being at a distance forces us to accept and adjust to a different reality, which allows us to find new ways to succeed in the internship.

Finally, I can say that this internship is rewarding both at the current moment and in the future of our career. And, I am confident that I will only keep learning by gaining experience on multiple projects and with various partners. Therefore, I encourage anyone who’s still hesitant to go ahead and do the internship; it can only be positive and will represent a plus for their career. The university has really created a unique program which offers many international collaboration opportunities for its students.

Throughout this internship I have already had to opportunity to acquire a great deal of knowledge regarding the fight against armed violence and efforts towards landmine clearance. Being able to intern with not only my host/international NGO, the South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms, but also my Canadian partner NGO, Mines Action Canada, has been an eye-opening experience. Along with my other peers I am unable to travel to my host country of South Sudan due to COVID-19, however it has been just as engaging, as I have been able to attend certain talks, including Senate Foreign Affairs Committee meetings. However, I do feel as though if I had travelled to my host country, I would be more integrated with the daily affairs of the NGO.

The South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms advocates against armed violence through a series of campaigns. The day to day for me includes monitoring news websites looking for daily updates regarding politics, security, the economy, taking note of the state of society in which my host organization is trying to advocate. This gives me the ability to learn more about the current affairs in South Sudan, as well as keep my host organization informed of any events which may impact their ability to effectively advocate.

As stated on their website, my Canadian partner NGO, Mines Action Canada works to eliminate the serious humanitarian, developmental and environmental consequences of indiscriminate weapons. It is a leading humanitarian disarmament organization attempting to prevent suffering by restricting weapons which can pose risk both during and after conflict. They work to end suffering caused by weapons such as landmines, explosive weapons, and cluster munitions. I have attended senate meetings as well as a couple of conferences held regarding armed violence and landmine clearance, information which can aid my host NGO, the SSANSA, as well. I have meetings every couple of weeks with my supervisor and fellow colleague at Mines Actions Canada which allows me to express concerns, ask questions, and speak of future assignments for when I do not have much work to get done for my host NGO. I feel as though I have support within the organization as when I have questions or concerns, they are immediately acknowledged.

Working with both NGO’s has allowed me to new insights into the fight against armed violence, not only the damage done to civilian populations during conflict, but also the dangerous aftermath in terms of unexploded ordnance.

I have learned from my experience so far that there is always more than one can do if they are motivated to do so, like doing more research, attending informational sessions. In this internship I believe one can learn as much as they like regarding the advocacy their NGO’s do. My supervisor at Mines Action Canada for example sends me articles and meetings I can attend to learn more about landmine clearance, and I can do further research beyond that to get some background information.

So far, I have found this internship eye-opening and enlightening, and I look forward to the rest of my internship.

I am already halfway through the internship. And I have lots to say about this unique experience. My internship was with the Lesotho Association of Teachers. My primary responsibility was to do resource mobilization and establish a curriculum model.   Usually, I prefer to find possible grants that my organization can apply for during the first part of the week. Then, I did some research on the curriculum model.

I felt lucky that I was not working alone with the NGO. I had a colleague who came from the same university as me. We always shared our ideas. It feels so good when you have someone to work with and with whom you can get feedback. I enjoyed the feeling of teamwork during the project, which required us to complete an EU proposal within a limited time. The proposal was about European Commission on Human Rights and Democracy. Our whole team lacked any similar experience with writing an EU proposal. Therefore, we chose to work together to figure out where we should start. Also, I was stressed and extremely busy with my graduation application. It took some days to re-balance my personal life and the work I had. During this time, my colleague gave me lots of support. This experience made me realize the importance of teamwork. In addition, this internship improves my multi-tasking skill when having stressful tasks to complete. Through this experience, I can better cope with multiple stressors from different resources. Also, I found my favourite way to relieve stress: working out. I believe that in the future, I can handle more tasks at the same time.

The most important thing I learned from this internship experience is the difference between school and work. At school, I used specific criteria and evaluation standards for every assignment and project. All I needed to do was follow the guidelines and meet the requirements. However, there are no specific when you are in a job. I had to decide what my project should look like, what elements should be included in the project, and how detailed every aspect should be. All of these components needed to be determined by myself. Every decision I made would directly affect my work and my organization. My responsibility was more important than before. I may need more time to adapt to this. It was a big challenge for me to overcome during this internship. Also, it prepared me better to deal with a similar situation in the future. In addition, I also enhanced my self-motivating skills. No one would push me to move forward during work. I had to set different goals for myself and keep working on them. Overall, this internship experience allowed me to understand how an NGO operates and it's daily work.

I really appreciate the opportunity to work with Association for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (AEPD). AEPD provides help to Vietnamese landmines survivors. I especially cherish the chance to remote work as an international intern. It gave me the experience of collaborating with people on the other half of the earth.

I choose to work in AEPD because I had the experience of helping disabled children in my country of origin. I believe destiny doesn’t treat everyone in the world the same, so people who are able to provide help to these minorities should lend a helping hand. After I went through the job profile, I felt like it well matched my ability, so I submitted the application and I was accepted.

I attended a pre-training session before actually starting my internship. The information and lesson provided to us were very helpful. We were taught how to cope with the stress and deal with the relationship with the host country’s NGO. I was so nervous when I finally meet my Vietnam NGO for the first time. My worry just went away after that first meeting. They were so kind and welcoming about my joining their organization. We talked about tasks but we mainly got to know each other.

I felt a little lost when I first started working. There are a lot of ideas that came to mind but they were difficult to implement. At first, I wanted to organize an online informal meeting with the survivors to relieve some of their stress. Unfortunately, most of them did not speak English, so the plan had to be shelved. There were a lot of things like that that left me feeling a little frustrated and wondering if I could really help AEPD. I gradually began to adjust my mind, telling myself that some things can not be forced, as long as I have the ability to change things that are worth self-recognition. Then I started making pictures to spread the word about the organization and help them get more people to help them. At the same time start looking for fundraisers to provide financial help to the organization.

I started to get more familiar with my work and positive about any difficulty I faced. Hope I will keep my attitude and get better for the rest part of the internship.

I decided to take on the opportunity of the international internship for the summer. It came at a perfect time for me since this would be my last semester as a university student. Even though the international internships were supposed to happen in person, the remote option was also very helpful because it helped me ease into my new position of intern and the new environment. The organization that I chose to work with is Forum of Federations. It is a Canadian Non-Profit Organization (NGO) whose main goal is the advancement of federalism and decentralized governance in the world. The organization works by sharing their expertise and knowledge on the topic to important stakeholders like other civil society organizations and political leaders. I, however, am working more specifically with the team from Myanmar, also known as Burma, on the project of federalism and gender. The situation in Myanmar is very critical right now, which forced the team to relocate in Bangkok. The relocation, combined with remote work, is an entirely new way of working because of the need to create new connections and familiarize myself with a new team and colleagues while not being able to connect in person.

So far, the work that I do is centered on reading documents and making myself acquainted and knowledgeable enough on Myanmar’s recent coup. I’m also working on summarizing and translating different trainings on federalism and gender equality in Myanmar. This work is very interesting for me because I’m using a lot of the skill and knowledge that I learned so far in my four years of university as a student in International Development. And at the same time, I’m gaining real life experience by being acquainted to working in an NGO environment where I won’t always be working with a team I’m familiar with. I was very excited going into this internship and so far, my expectations have been met and I’m still excited to see where this experience will take me in the future.

After finally being matched with an NGO, the Arab House for Adult Education and Development (AHAED), I have been navigating how to work as an intern for the first time. This organization specifically focuses on working to expand adult education in the Arab world through helping people navigate the field while also bringing resources to promote adult education in the Arab world. They are made up of several organization to help meet the education and literacy needs to help promote adult education. They conduct newsletters as well as conferences to further develop their mission and to help address issues and solutions involving adult education and illiteracy.

I am currently working with AHAED to develop their newest newsletter. As their newsletters are originally drafted in Arabic, I am working on the English versions to assure all is written appropriately and in the correct format. While converting an Arabic newsletter into English, I have discovered that there is much more to it than just simple translation of text. There are graphical designs and tables that need to be reorganized while simultaneously trying to follow the same template as the original.  I have learned tricks on how to reorganize the direction of text for tables while also learning how to navigate translation services to assure I am getting the most accurate translation possible.

I was a little reluctant to working on translations, primarily because I do not speak Arabic so I believed that it wouldn’t be done affectively. It was insisted that I try to translate a small document, and after it was reviewed, they told me that I had done a sufficient job in translation and they would be sending me large documents from the newsletter to help translate. I am proud to have learned many tricks on how to help with assuring that my translations are accurate, specifically through referencing off of AHAED’s website and other newsletters to assure everything is accurate.

I am given my tasks every Monday and I use the week to complete what has been assigned to me. Then, on Friday’s, I am scheduled to have a meeting with AHAED to discuss my work from the week while also discussing any concerns or questions. This allows me to have a consistent cycle of communication with the organization to assure that everything is being done correctly, while also being able to address any questions of concerns.  The organization also remains extremely supportive and helpful for any doubts or concerns that I’ve had and help me become more confident in the work I am doing as they are often very supportive and positive in response to the work I do.

Like many of my uOttawa peers, I was hoping to do an in-person international internship in my host country. Travelling to Nepal would have been a dream, but I knew that waiting for COVID-19 restrictions to lift could leave me without doing an internship during my undergrad altogether. After considerable experience working online in school and my co-op placements, I was confident I could handle an online internship as well. I knew this was a unique hands-on opportunity to learn about the international community while exploring my own interests and skills. So, I took the plunge and applied!

I’m currently enjoying my studies in International Economics and Development, and I was lucky enough to find an internship placement with the Nepal Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation Limited (NACCFL) which offers a mandate that closely aligns with my interests. The NACCFL primarily focuses their work on partnering with local smallholder farmers and encouraging their productivity and value-chain integration through agriculture, business, and technology training programs. They’ve also made considerable strides in policy lobbying for small farmer rights and the development of community welfare programs.

I strongly believe that dignified and community-based initiatives that can help all citizens access safe economic opportunities is how we can start to tackle the enormous global wealth gap we see today. International cooperation allows for idea and skill-sharing that can help ease these economic transitions. However, for this to be achieved, an intersectional approach must be taken. I’ve been blown away by NACCFLs commitment to inclusive and accessible community development. They are working diligently to ensure their programs target the most marginalized groups in Nepal (namely women, low-caste groups, LGBTQIA+ people, and Muslims). By taking a stance to minimize these exclusions, NACCFL is molding the social environment in Nepal into one that can offer more well-rounded prosperity.

While I’ve only completed 5 weeks of this internship so far, it has already opened my eyes to Nepal’s specific social, political, and economic environment. I have been working as a Documentation Officer to help guide efficient project management and reporting, as well as helping with their communications efforts–producing and distributing promotional materials. I took part in extensive trainings with my host-country colleagues who made me feel comfortable entering such an unpredictable online work environment. I’ve felt supported and appreciated every step of the way. I’m looking forward to continuing to help expand the size and scope of NACCFLs fantastic work!

Candice, Bachelor of Arts with major in psychology and minor in management

Canadian NGO: Alternatives

Local NGO: Lesotho Teacher Association

The internship is a very special experience for me. I had never imagined that I would have the opportunity to work with people from the other half of the earth. Before the internship began, I had no idea about the country I would work with.  After doing some research and completing several meetings with my colleagues. I learned that People from Lesotho are welcoming and hospitable. The culture was quite different from my home country, China and Canada, so it took a while to adapt to Lesotho’s culture. Gradually, I began to know what the internship was really about. It’s more complex and more complicated than I thought before. I felt confused at the beginning of this internship.

I didn’t know what I should do and how to complete the tasks I got. The sudden change from student to staff is challenging for me. My identity here was not a student anymore but a team member, a colleague. No more teacher or professor who would assign a specific task to you, and all I need to do is follow the guidelines. During the internship, I had to learn by myself. Finding a solution to a problem without any guidelines was challenging for me. There were no specific standards or rules on how I should figure this problem out. All I needed to present to my colleagues was the final project or the outcome I got. There was always more than one way to a solution. I didn’t need to try each way out specifically. All I needed to do was find the most efficient way and that guaranteed the quality. During the internship, I attended many meetings. At first, these meetings were pretty stressful for me because I felt so anxious to speak up in front of people. However, as time goes on, I felt more comfortable joining meetings and sharing ideas with my colleagues. These pre-internship meetings helped a lot. It prepared me with tolls for the internship. In addition, it taught me many solutions to release stress. During these past weeks, I felt more and more comfortable with my new identity as an intern. Also, I became more familiar with Lesotho’s culture and became clear about my tasks and goals. I hope that I can work even better during the remaining weeks of the internship and have a happy ending.

Sofia, International Development and Globalization, World University Service of Canada (WUSC), Sri Lanka Centre for Women’s Research

Naturally, I’m someone who enjoys having a routine and a plan in advance. Prior to my international internship, I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of my schedule and how many hours a week I’d be working, or whether I’d be able to keep my job. During my internship, the plans had changed a few times, and so I wasn’t able to answer these questions throughout the semester. At first, I saw the multiple changes as a negative experience; however, with time, I realized that the modifications to the plan were a positive thing. While flexibility is something that I had to improve during the pandemic, it is a skill that I expanded upon while working at my international internship.

In our pre-departure trainings, we discussed some possible challenges that we may encounter during our internships. The pre-departure trainings were especially helpful in preparing us to do the remote international internships, as we learned skills to cope with these challenges should they arise. Such obstacles included: working remotely, having different time zones, potential language barriers, and having a change of mandate. Most of these difficulties applied to me, but I’m so grateful that I was able to experience them, as they’ve made me a better student and a more flexible worker. I also strongly believe that the positives of doing an international internship heavily outweigh the negatives!

The future of the post-COVID-19 world is online work, whether that be in school, work, diplomacy, or personal life. The skills that I’ve learned over the past few months - adaptability, flexibility, and patience - are competencies that I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life!

Katie, Masters in Development and Globalization, Mines Action Canada, Vietnam, Association for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (AEPD)

In the three months of my internship, I have been able to work on a number of interesting projects and may have even found a new path for myself! My undergraduate degree had a small focus on humanitarian assistance which, while interesting, I always associated with high levels of stress and meeting immediate needs on the ground. While this is certainly a component of humanitarian assistance, there are steps that come after the immediate emergency, including the provision of services for survivors as well as return and reintegration into the community. Particularly in conflict, the violence can continue long after the fighting ends. At Mines Action Canada, I have been able to learn about the devastating impacts of explosive remnants of war and the great needs of affected communities.

I have struggled in the past to find a place for myself and my interest in disability in the Global South within the development community – while the rights of persons with disabilities are a pressing issue it is often overlooked and under-examined. Within humanitarian assistance and specifically in post-conflict settings, disability takes up far more space in the conversation. While my interests in disability go beyond physical impairments, the potential to work on programs assisting persons with physical disabilities is more realistic than other forms of disability. I am excited to have found more opportunity for myself within this experience and my newly broadened horizons have me excited for what my future holds!

Tamoghna, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Anthropology and Sociology, Forum of Federations, Myanmar, and Nepal Project Support

Working at this internship has been a welcome change amidst all the stress of the last semester of university. My idea was that even though I’m only taking three courses, it might be difficult to balance, however, I have found myself immersed in work: eager to be of aid to my coworkers and looking forward to meeting them every week. The internship has proved to be of great help in being an easy transition to work as my colleagues are extremely supportive and involved, despite of the time difference. Working with The Forum of Federations has been rewarding as it acts as a constant reminder, that with the right encouragement, I can unlock my fuller potential. I feel so productive and motivated to perform well in school.

This internship is the perfect challenge for my educational as well as professional career at this particular point in time. Before graduation, I wanted to gain some work experience and The Forum has given me just that. I like to think of this opportunity as a necessary means for my professional life. I have discovered so much more about myself in terms of the kind of work I want to do in the future and my short-term goals. I appreciate this opportunity as my first ever proper job as it has taught me the value of taking time off for myself, learning to strike a balance between work and personal life and organizational skills. I am so thankful for this opportunity and the diverse amount of people that I have met through this internship. At the end of the four years at the university, the internship feels like a perfect conclusion to my journey as an undergrad.

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.

Sergio, Masters in International Development and Globalization, Mines Action Canada, Colombia, Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas (CCCM), Program Support Officer

My interests concerning academic life have always been closer to the practical side than the research path. As a historian studying the Colombian conflict, its causes, dynamics and consequences, getting an opportunity to approach this issue from a practical perspective has been a life-changing experience. That is why, as soon as I knew that the Faculty of Social Sciences offered the possibility to join an international internship as part of my master's studies, I didn't have to think twice.

As part of the options, working with Mines Action Canada and Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas suited best my MRP goals since my assigned tasks merge both the practical knowledge of war-torn communities with the theoretical frame of Immobilities. Hence, allowing an insightful exploration of a scarcely studied concept among academics in Colombia.

I couldn't think about a better way to understand the kind of things you never learn in a classroom, such as addressing an Ambassador, looking for funding means to guarantee the operation of the NGO in the long term, analysing geographical data before landmine clearing missions. Yes, it has been challenging because of the workload of both my thesis project and a full-time volunteering position but the abilities I have acquired while working with the team are an asset for any future employer in my field.

Of course, Covid-19 has limited the impact one could have in a foreign country and rural communities in Colombia, but it is an advantage when reporting fund allocations to foreign governments due to data centralisation, one of my favourite tasks. So, if feeling like a crucial part in the process of making people's lives improve seems like your kind of thing, I would encourage you to join an International Internship!

Simone, Criminology, Forum of Federations, MENA Project & Ethiopia

Taking part in an internship through this program has worked very well for me. I chose to do the internship in addition to a class, and it has been a painless process. While doing both class and the internship seemed like it might be more work than a typical school term, it has proven to be the opposite. Luckily, the team I have worked with at The Forum of Federations has been understanding and supportive. I have been able to ensure my work is done for both school, and the internship without excess stress. For any students considering this internship but are not convinced because they want to take classes as well, I can say that in my experience, it has not been an issue. I am glad I did not let that challenge stop me. While everyone’s experiences are different, I have certainly been enjoying this term more than ever.

It takes some getting used to completing an internship as a student. Just like any new situation, there is a learning curve involved. Personally, I had to strike the right balance between time I was putting into the internship and class. Prioritizing my work and separating each assignment by school, the internship, and other tasks helped me to clearly see what I had to do for each area I am doing work in and adjusting my schedule accordingly. Once I found that balance, everything has been improved. Doing an internship at the Forum has already taught me a lot, and we still have over a month to go. It is insightful getting to see the work being done behind the scenes, and the process that is involved in implementing initiatives. I have been able to develop connections, and even friendships through this program for which I feel lucky.

Katie, Masters in Development and Globalization, Mines Action Canada, Vietnam, Association for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (AEPD)

In my final semester of my master’s degree in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa, I decided to take part in an internship as opposed to completing another course. As someone who has completed an entire master’s degree online due to the pandemic, I was feeling very drained and exhausted from the online learning experience – I missed the engagement with professors and my peers! An internship also provides me with valuable experience within my field and the opportunity to see how theory can be put into practice.

On a whim I checked out the internship opportunities for the Winter 2022 semester and saw a posting for a Vietnamese disability empowerment NGO. I have focused the majority of my academic career on disability inclusion within international development, I could not pass up this opportunity. Despite 80% of persons with disabilities living in the Global South, international development as a field often does not engage with this group widely understood to be one of the most vulnerable and marginalized populations. Working with the team at the Association for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, I have been able to see how local NGO operations make significant impacts on the lives of people in their community. From this, I am starting to see a future where disability awareness and inclusion is better integrated into development programming – something that I struggled to see in the classroom and academic articles. I’m so thankful to have the opportunity to work in the very specific field that I am so invested in and am looking forward to building off of this experience in my future career

Karen, Political Science, Centre d’étude et de coopération internationale, Nepal, Manushi

Hi! My name is Karen I am currently working as a communication officer with CECI and Manushi (A local NGO). Due to the pandemic, unfortunately, I cannot fly to Nepal for my internship. Luckily, with the support of both organizations, which gave me many introduction sessions, I got the chance to really understand a lot more about Nepal and the culture.

This internship is my first remote internship and my first time working for an NGO. I found the difference between the news and the reality from this work experience. Usually, the news does not detail or really describe what is happening in Nepal. Most of the time, it is only when there is a big event or disaster that the news gives more details. But after working with the local people, I get to know the real problems in their country. For example, chronic water shortages, frequent landslides and flash floods. Last year's rainy season has recorded the biggest landslide in years. Unfortunately, most of the news did not go into detail.

In terms of job content, although this is a remote internship, the organization is keen to involve foreign interns in the operational process, giving them the opportunity to be exposed to the practical side of the work. Therefore, I would encourage applicants to keep their minds open if they find an organization with the right philosophy, regardless of size, and they may be pleasantly surprised.

I am glad that I participate in this internship. Although I have only been working for a month, I have already learned a lot. Even with the 10-hour time difference, there is no problem with communication, and I can work according to my schedule. I feel that I am making progress step by step. This internship has helped me see my shortcomings and ways to learn new things quickly. All in all, it is a great experience, every day is a surprise.

Julia, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Conflict Studies and Human Rights with a Minor in Law, Alternatives, Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES)

Until participating in the Faculty of Social Science’s international internship program, I had never worked for an NGO. Over the past few years, I instead gained professional experience in the public sector, including as a Junior Desk Officer for the Maghreb region at Global Affairs Canada. Since I had only ever pursued opportunities to learn about international human rights and development priorities from a federal government perspective, this semester, I became eager to understand these matters from a new lens. How does the day-to-day work of an NGO improve human rights situations in practice? Are the priorities of NGOs in the Maghreb generally aligned with those of the Canadian federal government and/or their own governments? To begin to answer these questions, I decided to complete a virtual internship with the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES).

In the first six weeks of my internship, I have learned about the Tunis-based organization’s work in four key areas: the rights of women, labourers, migrants, and the environment. Among my most rewarding experiences, the FTDES provided me with an opportunity to prepare a comprehensive report and recommendations on a human rights topic of my choice, with the aim of advancing the organization’s advocacy initiatives. I have chosen to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marginalized women in Tunisia, including textile manufacturing workers, women from rural areas, migrants, and refugees. This project not only furthers my understanding of current human rights challenges in the country, but is also directly related to my interests in women’s rights and gender equality. From an academic perspective, concepts that I studied in a traditional classroom setting, such as qualitative research methods, also continue to support me as I draft the report.

Despite the online nature of this internship, my work with the FTDES has therefore been enriching thus far. While I initially feared that virtual work would cause me to feel disconnected from my host organization, I feel involved in the FTDES’ initiatives and, as a result, hopeful that I will be able to (at least partially) answer the questions that prompted me to work with an NGO in the first place. Most of all, I look forward to making a contribution that will shed light on the current situation of vulnerable groups of women in Tunisia.

Daesha, Criminology, Mines Action Canada, South Sudan, South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms (SSANSA)

In 2020, the world stopped. A global pandemic took over all our lives. For the past two and a half years, we have had to make adjustments in order to conform to the new health and safety guidelines in order to keep everyone safe.  When it comes to the international internship offered at Ottawa this meant transferring the program to virtual platforms. Due to virtual learning and all my internship being behind a screen I have noticed a change in my motivation and mental health. The most important thing I have learned throughout the past five weeks is understanding when I need to put myself first. Now you may be wondering, what does putting yourself first mean to you? I'm not suggesting that I forget my responsibilities and take a short vacation. However, what this does mean is knowing my limits. If I know that I am being overworked and spreading myself too thin, I know that it is okay to take a break. This usually consists of me taking a day off the computer and participating in the activities that make me happy.  This includes working out, spending time with my family, and cooking. There have been some instances throughout the internship where I've had to do this. For those that make themselves feel guilty of this time, I would like to remind you that you owe these moments to yourself. You are doing amazing!

WORK - LIFE BALANCE

Not only am I a full-time intern and student, I also have four other jobs that I commit to every week. This may seem overwhelming; I have developed a system that keeps me grounded.

• Keep a planner - This ensures I am keeping up with due dates and work schedules.
• Time Allocation - When I know it's going to be a busy week. I give myself a timed scheduled for each task to keep up with my work
• Eat Well and Stay Active - I understand that I need to take care of my body in order to be as busy as I am. Therefore, I try to eat clean and workout three times a week
• Knowing What You Can Handle - Prioritize what is most important and don't take on anything extra that doesn't fulfill your happiness or career
• One Thing You Love - Do one thing a day that makes you feel your best!

Having work life balance does not mean you have it all figured out. However, helpful tips that bring an equilibrium between both sides, will help your overall health.

WEEK 5 REFLECTION

Due to connection issues with my supervisor, I started my internship later than everyone else. Below I have attached a list of my highlights and accomplishments thus. I hope this becomes longer in the weeks ahead!

• Exploring the South Sudan profiles on the Landmine Monitor, Nuclear Ban Monitor, and Explosive Weapons Monitor
• Reviewing the Lethal Autonomous Weapons course for Erin Hunt. This is orchestrated by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs. Throughout the course, I learned what is classified as an autonomous weapon/identifying their risk, the role of the UNODA when addressing these issues, and international efforts that look to regulate the development of lethal autonomous weapons
• Completed the Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Demining courses (GCHD). I am now more knowledgeable on explosive ordnance risk, and understanding gender diversity in Mine Action
• Attended the ATT Working Group Meetings that will discuss Articles 6,7,9, and 11 of the Arms trade Treaty
• Created social media content for SSANSA and their stakeholder dialogues about community safety

TIPS FOR FUTURE INTERNS ...

• Do not be afraid to ask questions to all your supervisors. It is ok to feel lost and not understand what is being asked of you. Take advantage of the resources you have so that you can get the clarification you need to be successful
• Complete all the assigned courses and readings, or you will be behind
• Do not panic! Sometimes the assignments can be content heavy, but do not overwhelm yourself. Organize your time so that you can complete the task at a good pace
• Take time for yourself. Sitting in front of a screen all day has been a major challenge for me. This is not what I expected my university experience to be like. I make sure to take one day of the week to step away from the screen

Tamoghna, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in Anthropology and Sociology, Forum of Federations, Myanmar and Nepal Project Support

The opportunity to take part in this internship came at a very unexpected time. I would keep hearing from my friends how it is important to do an internship before graduation but could never find something on my own. As an international student, it was sort of difficult. Coming across this internship was a great surprise and I knew that I didn’t just need it, I wanted to be a part of the program. Despite of the pandemic, the internship has given me the chance to gain professional skills, work in a team setting, and has so far proved to be a great learning process. I am currently working on the Myanmar and the Nepal projects and occasionally help the Ottawa office in carrying out tasks. At these offices we work together as a team towards a fiscal federal government, inclusive of both men and women. In the course of my study, I have found my research work to be focused on output-oriented styles and Forum of Federations gives me the opportunity to make a contribution on a bigger scale when it comes to working on issues that truly matters.

My expectations from the internship were to be able to gain a professional experience, to be able to translate the knowledge that I have acquired in my program in the past 4 years in a work setting and the structure and colleagues at the Forum allows me to successfully do so. In these past few weeks, I have learned not only in terms of work, but also in terms of my individual self. I have learned that I enjoy working and am definitely looking forward to working full time after the completion of my degree. I knew that I could use my degree to great lengths, but I didn’t realize the volume of the impact that my work with the right organization could make. Working at the Forum in this program is definitely proving to be the perfect end of the four years of university.