Mia, Honours Bachelors of Social Sciences, major in Anthropology with a minor in Health Sciences
Location: Thailand
Canadian NGO: Forum of Federations
Local NGO: Myanmar
Truth be told, I never expected to find myself at the other end of the world working with an NGO on federalism and civil conflict. I initially set out to study abroad somewhere in Europe but soon found myself applying for an internship in Thailand instead. And can I just say... thank goodness I did. I have never and likely will never experience something like this ever again.
I embarked on this journey with little expectation and so much uncertainty. I had never been to Asia, I had never lived or traveled alone, and I had never worked for an NGO. Even though the prospect of doing something like this frightened me to no end, it is probably one of the most enriching experiences of my education. Don’t get me wrong, learning theory is very important and has developed my capacity for analysis and critical thinking, but some things just can’t be taught in the classroom. I’m encountering major political considerations up close, observing major barriers in international development, all while gaining some much-needed work experience.
I am exploring new places and traveling the world, with all its wonder and its pitfalls. I’ve learned about the tragedies of civil conflict, the difficulties of establishing new policies, and the complicated dynamics between international powers, but I’ve also witnessed the resilience of the people enacting change and the many ways there are to overcome those huge challenges. I hope to learn much more during the next few weeks and I am so grateful for the opportunities that I’ve had so far.