Micael Sagesse Joseph, Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Public Administration, 3rd year
Internship country: Benin
Canadian NGO: CECI
Local NGO: WiLDAF (Women in Law and Development in Africa)
Benin: Three Months of Internship, Six Months of Preparation
Like me, there are many people who dream of setting out on an adventure or who are looking for the perfect way to break out of the ordinary while continuing their college studies. After a little over six months of preparation and a three-month internship in Benin, I finally feel ready to share a bit of this adventure and reflect on this wonderful journey, in the hope of encouraging those who are still hesitant to take the plunge.
Some of you may be surprised to learn that it took me more than six months to prepare for an internship that, in the field, lasted only three months. Let me stop you right there: having gone through this experience, I’m in a good position to tell you that every journey is different, and that the preparation time in no way reflects the duration or intensity of the internship itself. I can summarize my journey in three main stages—before, during, and after—and each one is just as important as the others.
Before Departure: Six Months of Preparation That Foster Independence
The preparation period is exciting. It’s filled with expectations that patiently await fulfillment, but also, at times, with setbacks—and that’s precisely where the learning becomes interesting. The preparations—whether academic, medical, or administrative (travel documents, insurance, etc.)—build independence and a sense of responsibility long before you even set foot in the field. These six months, although they precede the internship itself, are an integral part of the overall experience.
In the field: three months of ups and downs
Once on site, everything becomes real, and this three-month phase is just as stimulating as the preparation phase. For me, this period was divided into three distinct stages: the beginning, the middle, and the end. It had its ups and downs, but if there’s one thing I’ll remember above all else, it’s that this experience was well worth it.
In Cotonou, I had the privilege of discovering an extraordinary culture and meeting equally remarkable people. As someone who is naturally rather introverted, I found the strength to step out of my comfort zone to connect with this new culture, meet new people, and truly enjoy the experience.
A Partnership Full of Learning Opportunities
I had the opportunity to collaborate with my host organization, WiLDAF-Benin (Women in Law and Development in Africa), an NGO that is part of a pan-African network working in the field of women’s and girls’ rights, as well as their
development. This collaboration was made possible thanks to WiLDAF-Bénin’s partnership with the Canadian NGO CECI (Center for International Studies and Cooperation).
In the field, I was able to deepen my knowledge of administration and human resources management, while putting into practice certain skills I had acquired in college. This internship allowed me to develop my sense of independence, my ability to adapt, my sense of responsibility, as well as practical, on-the-ground knowledge in the field of international development.
It was through this field experience that I realized just how enriching and exciting it is to learn on my own, and how rewarding it is to open myself up to a culture that isn’t necessarily my own. This experience also gave me the opportunity to look toward the future and reflect on the following question: Do I want to continue in this field, or explore other avenues?
A Career Springboard Thanks to the University of Ottawa
One aspect I particularly appreciated about this program was the partnership between the University of Ottawa and Canadian and international NGOs. Thanks to this partnership, I had the opportunity to get a foot in the door of the professional world—and more specifically, the field of international development—well before I finished my studies.
This internship allowed me to meet professionals from all walks of life, significantly expand my network of contacts, and gain awareness of realities I hadn’t had the chance to experience before. Today, I am able, in turn, to raise awareness among others about the importance of participating in an international volunteer experience.
Never Alone on This Journey
Throughout this experience, I was never alone. Not only was I connected with other students having similar experiences in other countries, but I was also supported by the university’s internship coordinators. Upon our return, we had the opportunity to meet in small groups with our professor and the other interns to collectively reflect on our respective journeys.
This three-month internship in Benin, preceded by six months of preparation, allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. It taught me that the initial discomfort of such a project—the long preparation, the uncertainty on the ground, and the challenges of adapting—pales in comparison to the richness of what one gains from it. If you’re still hesitating to embark on an international internship experience, I hope this account will give you the little nudge you need.