NGO Support internships can provide insight into project management plans, the necessity of resources, and much more. With a background in International Development, Maddison shares how her internship abroad in Argentina helped her develop essential skills, such as the ability to adapt and navigate sensitive workplace environments with cultural intelligence.
Hi Maddison! How did this NGO Support internship provide professional development?
I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. This experience taught me about the political impact I have in these contexts and my ability to adapt quickly. I gained insight into project management plans and learnt about the necessity of resources in and around Cordoba. I worked on a project that educates local government bodies on Migration management and had the chance to meet with the ambassador of Costa Rica.
During the NGO Support internship, I developed a strong ability to adapt to quick changing environments and learnt how to navigate political and sensitive workplace environments. I got the opportunity to participate by contributing ideas for projects in process because of my background knowledge of International Development. For example, I was involved with speaking out about refugee displacement and raising awareness of practices we can do to continue to provide aid and reduce prejudice bias that impede intercultural integration.
After this experience, I feel confident to apply for any position. I feel I will excel and make a great addition to any organization that’s looking for an adaptable, kind and intelligent worker.
What was it like interning abroad and settling into this experience?
The advice I would give myself in retrospect, would be to give myself more time to assimilate and become accustomed to the difference of the culture. Some advice for my arriving self would be to give myself space to accept that this is new and no one person can ever truly assimilate immediately. I stopped expecting too much of myself.
How did you enhance your cross-cultural intelligence through the internship?
Because of the area of work I was focused on, I saw a huge involvement of nations from all countries outside of Argentina and a sensitivity toward cultural practices. I met with program leaders who have different backgrounds and enjoyed the structure of the program for interns at Onix Cultural center, as students were offered diverse activities around the city through museum exhibitions, arts and culture celebrations and information sessions on the diversity of Cordoba.
What advice would you give to others who are interested in this experience?
Give yourself time to adjust. Be prepared to be humbled that you know nothing, despite coming from a background where you feel you know everything. The more you learn, the less you know and that’s just a fact of life. So be kind to yourself because your mind and body can only do its best to adapt to what it knows and learn to be comfortable with what it doesn’t know. No one way is the best way. Be open to experiencing discomfort; through this, you grow.
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