International Blog

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

So far, my time with the Forum has been a very exciting and educational experience. I am fortunate enough to be spending time working with Headquarters in Ottawa, as well as with each individual program country of interest, those being Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. The MENA program focuses on empowering women in leadership roles in the Middle East North Africa region, and aims to increase the capacity of women and girls to become involved in governance processes and influence policies. I’ve just started with our Jordan team so I am still getting settled in, but my time with HQ was mainly spent helping to prepare our reporting documents for the program funder. This included formatting associated documents, conducting additional research and preparing briefing notes, and helping with English-French translation.

The COVID-19 pandemic has of course presented a number of challenges for me just like it has for everyone else, but it has also allowed for some pretty incredible opportunities. Typically, from what I gather, interns do not usually have the opportunity to work with the Ottawa team because they spend the internship properly in the MENA region. Being able to work virtually allowed me to spend my first few weeks with HQ learning more about the regional aspects of the program, which was very interesting and gave me a better idea of what each country was doing before actually starting to work with them. It also provided me the opportunity to meet many people, and also allowed me to learn more about some of the Forum’s other programs and initiatives.

The Forum’s work focus’ primarily on gender equality, decentralization, and federalism, and as such I have learned a great deal about these topics in only a few weeks. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Forum so far, and while I am a little nervous to change teams every few weeks, I am very excited to continue to work with them and learn however I can.

Soumaya, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Forum of Federations, Communications

I can’t believe how fast these last few weeks have passed. Although I knew it might be harder to adjust to a virtual intern experience, I was pleasantly surprised at the Forum where I got to jump right into my role!

In my first month as a communications intern, I had the opportunity to get involved in a variety of projects and campaigns. Some of these included creating social media graphics for the Forum of Federations 20^th anniversary webinar, helping with the website reconstruction, and assisting with the annual report. These experiences have allowed me to develop new skills as well as learn more about the Forum and their role as an organization. As I become more comfortable with these tasks, my supervisor has begun to assign projects for me to start on my own and I’m looking forward to seeing what I will be able to achieve.

Although I am mostly working with the team based in Ottawa, I am still learning a lot about the Forum’s international programs – mostly those based in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as well as in Sudan and Ethiopia.

Of course, the pandemic and the lockdowns have really shaped our work environment. Getting accustomed to virtual work was not that difficult – especially after taking courses online this past semester. However, it did create some challenges for me as a new intern to meet my supervisor and new colleagues and connect with them all. Fortunately, in my experience everyone has been really welcoming and patient with my questions and I do feel like I’m now part of the team!

My internship so far has been a wonderful experience and although I do have many tasks on my plate now, I’m excited for the possibilities.

Vy,International Economics and Development, WUSC, Vietnam, Bac Thang Long College (BTL), Communications Officer

In general, the whole experience was well enriching, knowledgeable, and unforgettable. I would highly recommend students interested in international issues and development to apply for this internship opportunity. My responsibility was to strengthen the operational capacity of BTL, an economic college in Hanoi, Vietnam, with gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability in mind. My main task consisted in proposing a marketing communication plan that could directly attract young trainees and indirectly promote BTL’s blended learning options.

To be honest, I was quite anxious at the beginning because I wasn’t really sure how or where to start. Thanks to the training resources offered by WUSC and the understanding of the partner organization, to the best of my abilities I assessed BTL’s needs and used the research method, wording, and models acquired in my DVM courses as well as resource management knowledge in Econ courses to complete my proposal.

During the process, the BTL representative also shared some valuable knowledge regarding the communication and marketing fields (which are not my fields of study) to better present my ideas. Another responsibility that I took on was analyzing BTL’s webpages, recommending tips to improve the appearance and the performance of their e-platforms, as well as filming, recording, and editing some instructional videos for BTL students. These additional knowledge and tech skills will highly benefit my candidacy and enlarge my options in the future job hunt.

Overall, I am very satisfied and grateful for this meaningful e-internship experience. For those who consider this opportunity, there will be some stress, confusion, and inconveniences due to the different time zones and cultures. But hey, it is how we learn new skills, discover our hindered strengths, practice our resilience and grow into well-rounded individuals and employees. Don’t forget that the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Canadian NGOs are constantly there to advise and support you along the way!

Safiya, International Relations and Modern Languages, Alternatives Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network Research Officer

In retrospect, my time as a program support officer has left me with great pleasure and success as my first internship experience. Through the non-profit organization Alternatives, I had the pleasure of working with the Advocacy and Communications division of an NGO based in East Africa called SIHA (Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa).

The majority of the work I conducted on behalf of the organization has been research-based, particularly in the realm of women’s issues and current affairs analysis. At first, this role seemed intimidating because I’ve only gained research experience through my educational experience; applying it to a professional work setting made me slightly anxious at first. However, the self-sufficient nature of my remote work has actually left a lot of room for expanding my research and refining my written communication!

I have found success in the essence of my work in research and reviewing reports and project proposals. Moreover, communicating through a social media intermediary has helped me in knowing which projects I needed to manage or specifically focus my energy on. The only challenge I found was due to the remote setting of the internship. Such challenges included some miscommunication and the effects of the time difference. At the beginning of my internship, I never had experience in a remote job, so I had to turn my bedroom not only into a classroom but also a work station. I made sure to devote some of my time every week to the responsibilities of the internship. Moreover, having a task I was required to complete every week served as a foundational basis for other tasks SIHA sent my way.

In my communication with both Alternatives and SIHA, I found both NGOs incredibly helpful and prepared to guide me through the internship process. I would advise anyone going into this kind of internship to build a good relationship with both coordinators because it made everything flow that much easier. Also, do not devote too much time to one single project. It is much simpler and more effective to work in intervals throughout the week, especially when you are managing the workload of an internship as well as post-secondary studies.

Aurora, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Alternatives, Lesotho Association of Teacher (LAT), Quality Education Research

Now that the end of the internship is approaching, I can confidently say that through my work and interactions with different people and groups I have learned much about the culture of my host NGO, developed new skills, and built global relationships. While the internship was daunting in the beginning, I am now comfortable in my role within the organization and am enjoying it to the point where I may continue occasional work. My contact at the host organization has been very helpful and gracious, and has been happy to share with me many details about Lesotho- ranging from political conditions to the impact of covid-19.

My many meetings and conversations with Letsatsi (LAT chairperson) have provided me with opportunities to ask many questions. This has helped me to gain a fuller understanding of my role within the LAT as well as to understand the motivations behind the organization. This has then helped me to understand the challenges and struggles that the people of Lesotho face while trying to develop their country. It allowed me to make significant comparisons between my own life experiences and those living in the developing world. The purpose of my role within the LAT is to work to offer quality education for the youth of Lesotho, so that they have a chance to escape the constant cycle of poverty that predominantly plagues the rural areas.

As an emergency supply teacher for a school based in the Greater Toronto Area, I have gained an educator's perspective on the school curriculum as well as the opportunities/benefits given to Ontario teachers. Most times I am in the school, I am working in the needs moderate/needs severe class where there is a 1:1 ratio of students to educators. As I develop relationships with these children, I continue to think about those students in Lesotho who are in a classroom with a hundred others, with a few teachers scattered throughout the school room. It is difficult to reconcile my experiences with the fact that there is absolutely no support for students with exceptionalities in Lesotho- all youth should have access to quality education and be given the chance to build social connections and gain a basic understanding of different facets of life.

I believe that my work as a supply teacher has motivated me to create different projects that speak to the inequity between the education system in Lesotho and Canada. It has allowed me to gain some field experience, as I have been able to apply my knowledge and understanding to different projects and proposals with the LAT. Up until this point, my work has consisted of funding proposals, creating projects, and reaching out to potential support partners. As I mentioned in my previous blog posting, my biggest struggle continues to be finding individuals and organizations willing to provide the LAT with any kind of support. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is less funding available and people are generally much more concerned and focused on their own wellbeing. While it is completely understandable that people and organizations are focusing more so on themselves at this time, it has made my task much more difficult. I have found a similar pattern when looking for funding opportunities and grant applications- there are more restrictions on opportunities, the criteria is more limited, and most organizations are moving from a global scope to a more nationalistic approach. In other words, grants that would previously have been available to NGO’s in Lesotho are no longer an option.

Nonetheless, I continue to work towards developing connections and projects with the LAT. As we continue to work towards ensuring a better future for those in Lesotho, I believe we will see more progress. As the main obstacles the LAT faced with are funding and cultural conditions, any kind of development is significant in making an impact within Lesotho. In regards to cultural conditions, things like gender equality cannot happen overnight and are rather the result of long-term dedication. Protecting minority groups within the education system of Lesotho is a top priority. Therefore, even when my internship term with the University of Ottawa has ended, I plan on continuing to work towards better conditions for the youth and educators in Lesotho, with the hope that they will have a prosperous future.

Mariam, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Alternatives, Sudan, Al-Alaag, Research Officer

Over the past three months, I have had the opportunity to participate in a joint project between Al-Alaag, Sudan and Alternatives, Canada as a Research Officer On Violence Against Women.

As a fourth year student, this position allowed me to demonstrate the knowledge and skills that I have acquired throughout my degree in Conflict Studies and Human Rights. The international internship has advanced my professional experience and my understanding of what human rights work entails, as I am immersed in the challenges faced by NGOs that are actively working on a grass-roots level. One of my biggest accomplishments in my internship was presenting a Data Analysis and SPSS Software Seminar for some students in Sudan; this was an immense help in developing my public speaking and mentoring skills. The tasks that I have been assigned throughout my internship were both tailored to my level of knowledge and challenged me in a way that truly prepares me for the work that I will be doing in the future.

Considering that this international internship involves several actors who are collaborating on the same project while operating thousands of miles apart, the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely had an impact on important processes. Some issues with communication and internet accessibility were present, as well adjustments had to be made at Al-Alaag in Sudan, with regard to those working remotely and those at the office. Yet these challenges continuously motivated me to take initiative, as well, they helped me discover and enhance my capabilities in a professional human rights work environment. Members at Al-Alaag and Alternatives jointly and efficiently dealt with the consequences of COVID-19, and inevitable technical issues and I am very grateful to have been part of navigating such processes.

Prior to starting my international internship, I was experiencing high levels of stress as I overthinking on the quality and quantity of work that I can produce for the NGOs that I was going to be working with. As I progressed through my internship, I realized that this was definitely not the most appropriate mindset to start with and that I was being harder on myself than anyone else was. The training that we were provided by uOttawa professors was very beneficial, in that it was appropriately tailored to prepare us for the upcoming positions that we were going to occupy. My internship experience not only allowed me to see the ways in which NGOs deal with everyday dilemmas, such as COVID, but also gave me a chance to actively engage in formulating solutions for these issues.

Overall, I would say that this internship experience has surely changed my perspective of, and approach to participating in the professional work environment. Working with Al-Alaag and Alternatives on a project that is solely aimed at liberating Sudanese women is an opportunity that I will forever cherish. This special internship experience has exposed me to real life situations that required me to use my problem solving skills and creativity to produce appropriate work, engage with diverse group members to navigate issues and reach project objectives.

Holly, Honours Bachelor in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Communications Officer at CECI, Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal

Entering my 10th week as an Academic E-Volunteer with the Centre d'étude et de coopération Internationale, I have become acutely aware that in just a few short weeks, my International Internship wil come to a close.

As I reflect on the last few months, I feel a mix of emotions: I feel immense joy that I was able to participate in such an incredible opportunity, and I feel regret as well as I know that the experience must soon come to an end. I truly wish I could communicate the full extent of the impact that this internship has had on me both professionally and personally. Being an Academic E-Volunteer during a global pandemic has meant constantly adapting to new information, new people, new environments, and new tasks. Doing so has been an incredibly valuable learning opportunity - one that deviates remarkably from the classroom. In an International Internship, not only are you acquiring theoretical knowledge but you are also expected to put this knowledge into practice, something you seldom do in university lecture halls. Throughout this experience, I have acquired invaluable know-how in a work setting which includes but is not limited to: how to effectively use online working platforms, how to prepare for and conduct workshops, and cross-cultural communication, which is something unique to the international experience. In addition to professional experience, I feel as though this internship has helped me develop personally, particularly when it comes to confidence and stress management.

Being an Academic E-Volunteer through the University of Ottawa has been a completely satisfying and fulfilling opportunity, one which I would highly recommend to anyone considering participating. I know that what I have learned and what I have experienced through this opportunity will support me in all of my future endeavours, and for that I am incredibly grateful.

Hawie, International Development and Globalization, Nepal, Centre d'études de coopération international

As I reach the midpoint of my internship, I’ve started reflecting on some of the lessons learned during these past few months. The first one being that I have a lot more to offer than I thought. I came into this internship worrying about how I could contribute to my new team given my skill set and past work experiences. While I understood that there would be a learning curve, the idea of tackling any unfamiliar work on my own (to some degree) was nerve-wracking. I think a lot of interns face this worry too. We spend years in school and work here and there when we can – but this doesn’t always guarantee that the skills we learn from past jobs are transferable.

What I’ve come to realize is that we pick up useful skills in all areas of our lives. From the attitude you bring to your work, to the way you engage with social media.

I’ve recently joined the Nepal Country team, where I’ve been supporting the partner with their communications strategy. The local partner needed someone who could help them create promotional materials, maintain their website and organize materials to be shared with sponsors i.e., annual reports. I was excited for the opportunity to work on something so new, but when looking at my CV I worried about there being no communications experience. What I’ve come to realize is that even if I didn’t have formal communications experience, it didn’t necessarily mean I lacked the skills to carry out communications-like tasks.

One of the first tasks I worked on was redesigning and updating the organization’s brochures. Brochures are incredibly useful tools for raising an organization’s local awareness – particularly in areas that might not be able to access online communications. When creating these materials, it's important to bear in mind information overload and distracting formats or designs. Keep them simple but striking so that the information gets across, but that it’s also appealing and fits the organization’s theme. Once the message and theme are decided, it's also important to know which tool you’ll use. In this case, my mind immediately went to Canva. I used the tool when organizing an event years ago and remembered how intuitive it was when designing promotional materials. I never used it outside of the classroom, but the tools it offered fit the task I needed to complete. After some back and forth with the local partner, we were able to finalize a design for our brochures!  This may not be a new or surprising moment for some, but for myself, being able to pull skills from past experiences was a reassurance that I was capable of completing any task set in front of me. I hope this encourages some of you to step outside of your comfort zone and ask for tasks you wouldn’t normally take on because you would be very surprised what skills pop up in your memory when you need them the most!

Julia, International Studies and Modern Languages, Forum of Federations, Myanmar

As my internship is coming to an end, I’ve had some time to reflect on the past ten weeks I’ve spent as an intern with the Forum of Federations. Although I encountered a few obstacles, it was an overall great experience and I would certainly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a new challenge.

At the beginning of my internship, I was working primarily with the Forum team in Myanmar. I contributed to numerous projects aiming to implement federalism and decentralized governance in the country. However, one month in, I lost contact with my coworkers in Myanmar due to their political situation. This brought on a very sudden and drastic change to my workload, and I started working on projects with the Forum team in Ottawa. I completed a lot of research for a project they are working on in Cuba linked to decentralization. Although this was not what I was initially supposed to work on or what I prepared for, I got the opportunity to work with two countries and two teams, instead of just one. This was also one of the advantages of a virtual internship, as I would not have been able to easily transfer from one team to another if this was in-person.

The importance of being flexible and the ability to adapt to new and evolving situations is definitely an important lesson I learned during my internship. This was a very different experience from my time at university, and gave me a better understanding of life in the workforce. I have also had the chance to talk with some of the employees in the Forum, which gave me insight into their day-to-day work and their experiences working with an NGO. It has been an amazing experience and I am looking forward to my final weeks as an intern.

Aurora, Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Alternative, Lesotho, Lesotho Association of Teachers

From the time I was given the opportunity to partake in an international internship through the University of Ottawa, I began researching and prepping in order to be adequately prepared for my position as an intern with the Lesotho Association of Teachers (LAT) located in the Kingdom of Lesotho. While the research and preparations aided in the fundamental work portion of my internship, I admit that I was fully unprepared for the cultural and emotional aspect. While my assignment was fairly simple: I had to read documents, write proposals, and reach out to different people and organizations, the magnitude of the challenge seemed increasingly daunting the more that I learned of the needs that exist within education in Lesotho and in essence, the actual purpose of the internship - to help and support children and teachers in their educational goals. 

Being raised in a predominantly white and privileged small town in rural Ontario, I was admittedly unaware of the mass injustices occurring around the world. I had enough knowledge to want to pursue a major in Conflict studies and Human Rights, but not enough to be able to grasp a wholesome understanding of the many daily battles fought by oppressed groups internationally and domestically. So, despite my two and a half years studying human rights violations and developing countries within the classroom, it was very disconcerting to see first-hand the struggles that many are faced with. In Lesotho, there is a lack of technology, resources, training, and money within the country, and more specifically within the education system. In many areas there are over one hundred kids in one classroom of varying ages and grade levels, which presents teachers with huge challenges when trying to connect with their students – to say the least, it is not an ideal educational environment. Due to the large numbers and limited support, there is essentially no aid for students with exceptionalities and they oftentimes decide to drop out. My biggest struggle has been that I deeply empathize with the admin of the LAT and wanting to support them and their teachers and students, but it’s so challenging to achieve the ideal result of immediate financial and educational support.

Coming into the internship, I was fairly idealistic about the productivity of my duties and my contribution. However, once working to complete tasks and attempting to reach out to different groups, I realized the difficulties NGO’s are faced with. In the case of the LAT, funding is a large concern. It has been heartbreaking to read and hear about the LAT’s various projects and initiatives that are focused on uplifting and supporting teachers and students of different races and genders, but being unable to actively implement them. However, now into the 6^th week of the internship, progress is beginning to be made. Within the past couple weeks I have begun drafting proposals for promising grants, and have connected the LAT with educational resources within Canada. This past week LAT’s Secretary General presented for the staff of a school in the Greater Toronto Area, with the purpose of facilitating a two-way educational relationship between teachers. The school is also working towards donating textbooks, teaching guides, and other educational resources to the LAT.

Therefore, the biggest takeaway for me so far is that it is important to be able to adapt and adhere to conditions that vary from original expectations. In accepting that progress would take time and that it would be made even more difficult by the barriers of communication due to Covid-19, I was able to alter my original plan and quickly come up with other options more suited for the current needs and goals of the organization. It has been an eye-opening experience that I am very grateful for, as I have gained practical work experience and received first-hand knowledge of developing countries, cultures, and different political systems. I have been privileged to learn from those at LAT, and am looking forward to expanding my knowledge and understandings throughout the rest of the internship.  

Julia, International Studies and Modern Languages, Forum of Federations, Myanmar

My time working with the Forum of Federations has been an enriching and educational experience, despite the challenges imposed by the global pandemic. I have completed the entirety of my work online, communicating with my colleagues through email and zoom meetings. Nonetheless, I have acquired many skills and have had the opportunity to put into practice much of what I have learned during my time at uOttawa, and I still have many more weeks to continue progressing in my internship.

I am currently starting my 6th week with Forum of Federations, an organization that supports countries around the world in their transition to democracy and devolved governance. They collaborate with government officials, experts in various fields and members of the civil society at a local and international level in order to advance their goals in various countries around the world. I am working with their team in Myanmar, where they are working on establishing a democratic and federal country. So far, my time has been spent primarily on editing, formatting and writing reports and documents. I have attended a couple web forums and seminars on a variety of topics, although they have all been loosely linked to political and social change. Most of my work is associated with gender equality and the promotion of federalism in Myanmar; these tasks have allowed me to enrich my knowledge on federalism and the complications that ensue. I’ve also been able to have a better understanding of how these non-governmental organizations function.

This opportunity has allowed me to use the skills I have acquired at university in the political science field, such as completing research from various databases and writing research proposals. I am very excited to continue to apply these skills and learn more about the Forum and their work.

Deanna,International Development and Globalization, Forum of Federations, Tunisia, Morocco, Myanmar, Communications Intern

In the Winter 2021 semester at the University of Ottawa, I have had to opportunity to work as a communications intern with the Forum of Federations. My position grants me the unique opportunity to work on a wide array of projects within our NGO that focus on implementation in different countries and communities. Through this, I have worked with colleagues from many sectors of our organization, spread across many countries and time zones. These collaborations have helped me develop my online communication skills and time management techniques, attributes I believe will be an asset in the fields of political relations and international development in which I hope to continue working.

Much of my work with the Forum has revolved around promoting and attending Forum and partner events, as well as writing reports and documents to accompany these. I have also been tasked with collecting and analyzing statistics on social media engagement and event participation. These are projects I was well prepared for through my education at the University of Ottawa, writing voluminous papers, effecting research, and collecting and analyzing data. I have also been able to hone a skill in media editing through the practice of this internship.

I believe these experiences will help me to further my practical skills set, as well as my knowledge and understanding of my field of study and the communities touched by projects in the international development domain. Overall, these experiences will help me to become a better employee in future work opportunities.

Holly, Honours Bachelor in Conflict Studies and Human Rights, Communications Officer at CECI, Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Associations of Nepal

Having just finished my fourth week as an E-Volunteer for Centre d’Étude et Coopération Internationale (CECI), I feel as though I have finally found my groove. At the beginning of my mandate, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, I found it difficult to navigate the remote workspace, as I’m sure many can relate to, and I had a hard time finding the right balance between work and play as I am completing my mandate from my home. However, with the help of the staff at CECI as well as the FSS International Internship Coordinators here at the University of Ottawa, I finally feel as though I am immersed in the E-Volunteer experience, and that I am doing work I can feel truly proud of. The advice and guidance they have provided throughout this experience has been invaluable.

I am working with the Federation of Woman Entrepreneurs’ Association of Nepal (FWEAN), a close local-partner of CECI, whose main focus is empowering Nepalese women to begin their  entrepreneurial journey by providing financial literacy education, by working toward poverty alleviation, and by helping women participate at all levels of the socio-economic sector. My official volunteer title is Communication Officer, which means I largely work with the FWEAN Communications Team in the various projects they have undertaken. I have been given a variety of tasks to complete throughout my mandate, and I would be happy to share just a few of them here to provide you with an idea of what my mandate entails! One of my tasks involves reviewing and editing the digital content the team develops to be posted on their social media accounts, ensuring it is clearly written, appealing, and fits with the FWEAN Branding Strategy which I am currently helping develop as well. Another one of my tasks which I am about to begin is the creation of a new FWEAN website with the help of the team’s IT Officer which I really look forward to! And, finally, another project I will be working on later in my mandate is helping the FWEAN team promote and facilitate the International Women’s Trade Expo which will occur online for the very first time this year.

One challenge that I’ve encountered thus far is working around the time difference between Nepal and where I am located, which means we occasionally have to schedule video conferences at irregular hours. However, this means my schedule at the day-to-day level is fairly flexible as I am principally working on my own time, which has helped me acquire organization and time-management skills that I would not have otherwise.

In spite of the challenge time zones pose, through the communications I have with FWEAN, I feel as though I am learning quite a lot about the culture and customs of Nepal, and I also feel strongly that this experience is enriching my education as a student specializing in Human Rights due to the particular focus of the organization on empowering women. I am able to put much of what I have learned through my program into practice, by integrating conflict and human rights concepts and methods into the work that I do and messaging I help produce. Thus far, I greatly appreciate this opportunity, and I cannot wait to visit Nepal one day!

Mariam, International Development and Globalization, Alternatives, Al-Alaag, Sudan, Research Officer

For the past two months, I have been interning with Al-Alaag Sudan whom I was partnered with through Alternatives Canada. In this remote internship, I have had the opportunity to meet different actors and to collaborate with them on their ongoing projects.

Currently Al-Alaag and Alternatives are working hand-in-hand on a project that aims to examine and understand the hardships encountered by women journalists in Sudan. Additionally, the organizations are creating tools and resources for these women journalists that aim to empower them and enhance their knowledge and skills. I am very grateful to be a part of this transformational project that embraces international cooperation for the purpose of liberating women. Despite the language barrier and great distance between Alternatives and Al-Alaag, the relationship among the actors from both countries is inviting and friendly, which contributes to its success as a diverse work environment.

My role as a Research Officer has been focused on collaborating with a couple of partners from Al-Alaag in producing a literature review that trains students in Sudan on data analysis. This helped me expand my knowledge on the harmful social, economic and systematic structures as I learned from the personal experiences of these women. I also got the opportunity to meet and train some of the students virtually, which encouraged me to practice and improve my public speaking skills.

Overall, I recommend this program to students who are looking for opportunities to expand their knowledge and experience in their field of studies. The tasks I was assigned from both Al-Alaag and Alternatives aided my personal development in various ways. In an educational sense, it has boosted my familiarity with software data analysis, and professionally and it has helped me connect with experts from my field of studies.

Hawie, International Development and Globalization, Minor in Business Management, CECI, Rwanda, Concertation des Collectifs des Associations Féminines de la région des Grands Lacs (COCAFEM/GL)

I, like many others, had plans at the start of 2020. I planned to travel, visit my family in Ethiopia and to experience new cultural contexts. But there’s a saying that when people make plans God laughs in their face – and I’ve never felt that to be truer than in this moment.

After living with this new normal for about a year, I’ve found that new opportunities can spring up in the most unexpected of places. For example, I feared that my chance of participating in an international internship would be locked down just as quick as our formerly open borders. But I was quickly proven wrong after learning that the organizations partnered with my university had switched over to remote volunteering. This seemed like the opportunity I was waiting for: experience working with an International NGO, learning about the skills needed in these work environments and building up my network in this field before graduating. I was paired up with the Centre d’étude et de cooperation internationale (CECI) and placed with their newly established team in Rwanda. In a different time, I would have spent months preparing for my travel, got to know my colleagues face to face and immerse myself in an entirely new environment.

But because this is not that time, the responsibility falls on me to immerse myself and make the best of this new reality. One of the ways I’ve been doing this is by finding novels written by Rwandan authors. The first book I read was “The girl who smiled beads” by Clemantine Wamariya. The novel goes on to share the author’s personal story of having to leave Rwanda in 1994, while simultaneously painting a beautiful picture of the country through the eyes of a child. The imagery and storytelling found in this novel and many others like it, is just one of the ways that I can immerse myself while staying within the confines of my home.

The piece of advice I hope to leave others about to embark on the journey of remote volunteering is this: keep your eyes open for any new opportunities. Try to imagine a scenario where your initial plans don’t happen because even if the ink is dry on a newly signed contract, circumstances can change within seconds. The true test of your skills is how you adapt to your new reality. Do you sit at home and sulk about the unfairness of everything? Or do you say, where are the needs based on this new situation and can I turn this into a learning experience? Moving forward and maintaining a positive attitude are the only things we as individuals can control, because the only constant in this life is change

Vy Tran, Honours Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Economics and Development, Communications Officer at WUSC

Entering my third week of the internship, I have already learned so much about the missions, complexity, as well as challenges in Canada’s development field. I am enjoying the internship thus far and would like to recommend this international opportunity to students specialized or interested in the fields of development and public policy.

I am currently e-interning for World University Service of Canada (WUSC), a well-known Ottawa-based development organization that is responsible for providing economic, education, and empowerment opportunities to youth in less developed nations with a specific focus on young women and young refugees. Some past and current flagship projects of WUSC include Uniterra (in cooperation with CECI), IGNI+E (Innovative Global Networks for Inclusion + Equality), WAGES (The West Africa Governance and Economic Sustainability in Extractive Areas), and WE LEAD (Women’s Economic Linkages and Employment Development). Operating in over 15 countries across Asia, Africa, and Americas, WUSC’s aims at helping improve social and economic well-being for the poor and marginalized youth in the developing world by raising awareness of gender equality, by sharing expertise, and by delivering more innovative and environmentally sustainable initiatives.

My assigned task is researching and developing a communication strategy that leads to a more effective student recruitment campaign for the BTL technical college, one of WUSC’s partners in Vietnam. Based in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, BTL offers a wide array of program options, from academic continuation to vocational training, to young Vietnamese aged 15-35. I am thankful for this opportunity since I am allowed to apply the research skills and knowledge acquired in my program of studies, to learn more about some barriers between academic tools and real life, and to have thought-provoking conversations with local representatives.

It is still too early to know whether I will successfully complete all the assigned tasks or not. However, thanks to various resources and support offered by WUSC and the Faculty of Social Sciences at uOttawa, I know for certain that this internship will be one of the most informative, practical, and memorable terms in my university journey.

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

During the past three months, I had the tremendous opportunity to take part in an internship at a distance at the Forum of Federations (“The Forum”). I am very grateful for this experience and highly recommend it to any student who is interested in the fields of governance and development.

The Forum is an international organization that supports governments and communities by designing and implementing programs. The organization also achieves its mission through the development and sharing of comparative expertise in relation to federalism and devolved governance. The Forum’s effectiveness lies in its collaborative approach with government departments and local organizations around the world. Its success is also attributed to the diversity of knowledge and experiences brought by the staff; this diversity creates a fascinating and inviting work environment. 

My work at the Forum involved producing content for social media and editing podcasts and book reports. The tasks helped me improve various skills ranging from communication and time management to graphic design. Each task presented a new learning opportunity on federalism and the advantages and challenges associated with this form of government. I also had the chance to interact with some of the Forum staff and experts and learn from their knowledge and experience.

Finally, I would like to thank our internships’ supervisors at the Faculty of Social Sciences for facilitating our transition into remote work and for their support throughout the term. Both the pre-internship training and the reflections we were invited to provide helped me adapt to online work and make the most out of this experience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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