Ariane, bacc. Sc. Specialized in Conflict Studies and Human Rights,
Country: Benin, virtual internship
Canadian NGO: Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI)
Local NGO: Centre de Recherche et d'Expertise pour le Développement Local (CREDEL)
One of the reasons I chose to do my undergraduate degree at the University of Ottawa was its international focus. The University of Ottawa takes openness and the integration of cultural diversity very seriously. As such, the university offers numerous opportunities for international collaboration that can be carried out during one's academic career. These international internship opportunities enrich your university experience, while providing you with professional learning opportunities.
During my school career, I've been lucky enough to take part in a number of internships, as well as a student exchange. Although most were in person, I still consider my virtual experience to be the richest. If this kind of experience interests you, then this article is for you. I'll tell you about the selection process and the support provided by the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), with whom I'm currently still in contact. I hope that, by reading this article, you'll be inspired to take part in this kind of university adventure.
As for me, I'm a student of conflict studies and human rights, in my fourth year of undergraduate studies. Personally, it was a game of chance and interest that led me to apply for an internship with CECI (Centre d'étude et de coopération internationale). CECI particularly appealed to me for their specific focus on gender inclusion and equality. As I briefly mentioned, the internship I'm currently undertaking is the most relevant and richest I've done, despite its virtual particularity. I can only speak of my experience with CECI, but I'm confident that the university puts the necessary measures in place from the selection process right through to the very end of the internships; the university is involved in our success. In this respect, the selection process allows each participant to demonstrate his or her interest and skills for the internship. It's great to know that we're really being considered fairly in this selection process. Then there are pre-internship training sessions designed to give us a good understanding of the realities of international collaboration. These few courses are crucial to understanding the cultural and international realities we'll be facing. Once again, through this process, the university is very present and concerned about our well-being, our understanding and encourages participation. We also have the opportunity to discuss any difficulties we may encounter and any other concerns we may have.
These few enumerations are the fundamental reason that, for me, made the difference between my internship experiences. The support offered by the university makes a real difference to the smooth running of the internship. I'm confident that the rest of my internship will go as smoothly as it did during this first part, and it's with great enthusiasm that I'll come back to you soon for the rest of this blog...