International Blog

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gillian, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Mines Action Canada, Uganda Landmine Survivors Association, South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms

For my first six weeks of the internship, I worked for Mines Action Canada due to unforeseen circumstances that prevented me from working with my host organization. Since I have been living in Canada all my life, and consume Canadian media, learning about Canada was not part of my internship for these 6 weeks.

However, for the past three weeks, I have been working for South Sudan Action Network on Small Arms (SSANSA). One of my main jobs is to monitor the media and provide summaries for relevant articles to SSANSA. This has been very eye-opening for me, as I am keeping up to date on the current news in South Sudan and pulling relevant information to be summarized in a professional manner. I would have never kept up with South Sudanese news without this internship, so it is a good opportunity to really learn and understand the hardships and triumphs of another country.

Furthermore, it has allowed me to have a deeper understanding of how important SSANSA’s work and vision is. Reading about the issues that SSANSA works on, such as civilian disarmament, almost every day in the news shows me how much SSANSA is needed. Learning more about your host country will lead you to a higher appreciation for the important work your organization does.

Emilie, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Forum of Federations, MENA Region

Now that we are two thirds of the way into this internship, I think it is fair to say we all have a pretty decent understanding of the projects we are involved in, and of the work our host NGOs continue to push forward. As I continue my work with the Forum of Federation’s Middle East North Africa Project team, I find myself reflecting on all the things I have learned, and all the activities I have been able to have a hand in working on. I can confidently say that the work done by the Forum contributes positively to the betterment of governance, women’s rights, inclusion, and so many other human rights issues in the MENA region, and the activities that the Forum’s country teams work to implement day in and day out target grassroots change, and positively impact the lives of so many people.

When I first started with the Forum, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect, especially since this was to be a virtual experience. I was delightfully surprised to have so much hands on experience with so many different, amazing, teams and working on so many different projects. While I’m so glad to have had this experience, I hope I can continue to help work on projects of this nature once the internship is over. The Forum has opened my eyes to activities happening on the ground and in a field that I know I want to continue working in, and I am incredibly grateful for this experience.

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.

Moudan, Criminology, Alternatives, Sudan, Al Alag, Research Officer

It would be an understatement to say that this first month has just flown by. This single month has been jammed packed with new experiences for me. In just over four weeks, I have been privy to important and impactful meetings that not only allowed me to learn about the importance of change through action, but also that social justice and fighting for the rights of people does not and cannot take a break – even during a pandemic.

Prior to my internship with Al Alag, I had zero experience with working in a COVID setting. Much of my experience has come from working with people on a face-to-face and it was difficult at first, to not only learn a new set of skills, but to also improve my own. Furthermore, the added benefit of seeing my research and analytical skills being put to good use in aiding the plight against workplace harassment for Sudanese women has opened my eyes to the fact that we have the power to create meaningful change – even if virtually.

Thank you to Al Alag for allowing me this opportunity and for allowing me to put my knowledge and skills to good use in fighting for a noteworthy cause. I am looking forward to what these next four weeks hold!

Sarah, ECH, Alternatives, Uganda,Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA)

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. A lot 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 a lot 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.