An Immersive Learning Experience

By Mitch

Mines Action Program Support Officer, Mines Action Canada

A picture of one of the buildings of uOttawa's faculty of Engineering. A sunset in background
Faculty of Social Sciences
From the Field
Nepal
Perspective shot of a city in Nepal. Two trees can be seen in the foreground, followed by a multitude of urban buildings. City covered by a sunset
"Simply being in this environment will develop and educate you on professional skills. Even outside of your work environment, there are so many things that you can learn from the place you are living."

Mitch, Honours in International Development and Globalization
Internship: Kathmandu, Nepal
Canadian NGO: Mines Action Canada
Local NGO: Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal

          I am writing this post at the halfway point of my internship with Ban Landmines Campaign Nepal (NCBL). I am a Program Support Officer representing Mines Action Canada. I have been living in Kathmandu for just over a month. Many people are surprised at the fact that Kathmandu is a massive urban complex, more similar to Brooklyn or the Bronx than a small town high up in the Himalayas. I am satisfied with how the internship has progressed so far, with support always available from the faculty, the Canadian NGO, and my host organization.

          It is a common challenge for interns in this program to be unsure of their exact role at their host organization at first. While concrete expectations and tasks for the intern are set quite early, having some flexibility regarding your tasks is great. This is something that I have experienced myself. In fact, I have been able to take the initiative to pursue specific tasks that I'm interested in. In many ways, it has put the learning ball in my court. .

          Simply being in this environment will develop and educate you on professional skills. Even outside of your work environment, there are so many things that you can learn from the place you are living. I have seen many things that Canada could learn from Kathmandu. This includes walkable cities, where everything in your daily routine is a 15 minute walk; drying clothes naturally (every apartment has balconies); and everyone washing their hands before eating at restaurants.

          An international internship will enrich your undergraduate (or graduate) degree in ways that cannot be replicated on a regular international exchange or an internship in Ottawa. You will get to commit a semester solely to working for an organization and exploring your personal development.