Hi!

Posted by Chiara on August 7th, 2009

My name is Chiara, I have just completed my fourth year at the University of Ottawa in International Relations, and will graduate upon my return from Lima, Peru! Once I get back, I envision a Masters in International Development.
I was very lucky when growing up because I had a very multicultural upbringing thanks to my parents. I grew up in Europe and in Canada, and I am proud to be both Italian and Canadian. This allowed me to be very open-minded to different cultures and appreciate diversity, as I believe it defines me. I have always been very passionate of International Development and International Relations. Truth be told, you may think I am crazy but I have loved following politics since a very young age!
I have been very fortunate to work for the past three years for the International Direction of Canada’s Border Service Agency (CBSA). This experience helped me better understand Capacity Building and International Development from a professional perspective. Furthermore, I have also been studying International Relations, and growing a particular interest in South American politics and development with an academic perspective. That is why I believe that this experience will allow me to grow even more, as it will bring me something I truly need: a field perspective.
After reading up on all the possible internships that are offered, I realized that Governa is a perfect match for me. Governa is more specifically, a consulting agency that acts as a liaison between the officials in the public sector at the local, regional and national level and foreign agencies (ie. CIDA), NGOs, multilateral and international organizations. It develops reports on how the funds are managed, implementing development plans to strengthen management ability in capacity building.
Personally, I will be participating in the research and elaboration of work documents on operation, planning, and budget management processes. These work documents will be serving as guides for Senior Management, Managers and Project Officers in municipal and regional governments.
To be honest, the preparation period has been overwhelming, so to all future volunteers: Don’t give up, because it is definitely worth it!!! As a matter of fact, today I finally got my final itinerary and plane ticket, and only now am I starting to realize I’m actually going to PERU!!
I have no specific expectations, as I believe that no matter what I see or do, I will grow as a person, and hopefully I will better understand how I can truly make a difference in International Development. I truly believe this work experience will be beneficial as it will allow me to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
To all fall volunteers going to Lima, feel free to contact me, it would be great to meet and travel Peru!
Soon enough I will be writing to you from my new home in Lima!
Ciao!
Chiara

Posted in SWB