Aurélie, ECH,
CECI, Guatemala,
Gender Equality Research Officer
This year, I was debating whether to take the field research course or opt for the international internship, given that both were being conducted virtually. I ultimately chose the international internship because it didn’t involve additional costs for housing and food over the 12-week period. However, the experience has turned out to be very different from what I had initially imagined.
As a student of human rights, I wanted to gain experience in international cooperation—both for personal and professional growth. The internship offered by CECI seemed like a great fit, as the NGO supports values that are deeply important to me. Additionally, working in Latin America particularly appealed to me, as I had studied various regional issues and contexts throughout my degree. So far, I have been working exclusively with my assigned NGO, CECI, mainly developing tools and recommendations related to gender equality. My projects are quite similar to tasks I’ve completed in university courses, except that everything must be done in Spanish for this internship.
The virtual format presents certain challenges, particularly when it comes to cultural immersion. I don’t regret my decision to take on this role despite the current circumstances; however, if I were to undertake another internship in the future, I would prefer an in-person experience. While I believe that the core learning outcomes remain the same—since the internship allows us to apply theoretical knowledge in practice—the key difference lies in integration and cultural adaptation.
Ultimately, a remote internship requires a great deal of discipline and adaptability, but in the end, the experience will be rewarding and worthwhile.