Megande Ashbelle Hounhouedo, International Economics and Development & Minor in Computer Science, 4th year
Country of fieldwork: Côte d'Ivoire
Canadian NGO: Alternatives
Local NGO: STERNA Africa
It's been a few weeks since I arrived in Côte d'Ivoire, and I can already say that this experience with STERNA Africa has changed something in me. I knew I wanted to do an internship abroad, not just to gain experience, but to understand what classroom lessons can't always teach. And I haven't been disappointed.
Before coming, I had read about the country, about STERNA's projects, about the challenges of community development... but nothing beats the real thing. I am based in Adiaké, a town between the lagoon and the ocean, full of life, smiles, and unexpected moments. From the very first days, I was touched by the welcome I received from the people, their kindness, their patience, and their curiosity.
You never feel alone for long here. With STERNA, I participate in awareness-raising projects in schools: menstrual health, online safety, social relations... topics that are sometimes sensitive, but essential. We go into a classroom, we talk, we listen, we laugh too.
There are looks that speak volumes, questions that surprise you, and exchanges that stay with you for a long time. It's not always easy, but it's deeply human. And that's exactly what I was looking for.
This internship also involves a lot of adaptation. Learning to talk simply about complex subjects. Learning to understand silences. Learning to listen, really listen. As the days go by, I feel myself changing a little, taking a step back, looking at what I learned at university in a different light.
Outside of work, life at Adiaké is full of discoveries: motorcycle taxi rides, shared meals, lively evenings, and spontaneous conversations. It's the little moments of everyday life that have made me love this adventure even more. Here, every day is different, full of surprises and lessons.
I now realize that development is not just about numbers, policies, or theories. It's above all about human connections, sincere exchanges, a desire to learn together and move forward step by step. This internship has given me the opportunity to apply what I've learned, but also—and above all—to ask myself new questions and put certain things into perspective.
I still have a few weeks left here, and I already know that it will be difficult to leave. This experience has given me much more than I hoped for: skills, of course, but also meaningful encounters, precious memories, and a new way of seeing the world.