I am a fourth year student at the University of Ottawa, Canada, completing my Honours Bachelor degree of Social Sciences with specialization in Political Sciences. As a COOP student, I have been granted the opportunity to work with the Government of Canada’s transportation ministry by contributing to all aspects of policy development at the federal level, and also as a project management consultant for Interis Consulting, Inc. during previous internships. This work session I decided to work abroad.

                Academically, I have a deep interest in understanding the complexities and challenges affecting developing countries in providing public services and meeting benchmarks of modern statehood and good governance. With a sound formal understanding of structural, environmental, financial, political, and social factors contributing to cycles of poverty, I have a profound interest in further understanding and reducing the impacts of real world challenges affecting those in need of adequate public services for a basic quality of life. I am an active volunteer in Canada. Interestingly, Botswana seems to be an exceptional case in Africa where modernization and development initiatives have been remarkably successful, particularly alongside the discovery of rich mineral resources.

                After three years of extensive research and analysis on the interrelated topics of political economy, politics of development, and international relations, I decided that I needed to see for my own eyes how development works. I looked at various job postings to see which suited me personally. The posting for the Cancer Association of Botswana as an Internal and Community Relations officer seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. Not only did the posting speak to my academic interest and previous work experience, but it also really spoke to me as a cancer survivor myself.

                I am really looking forward to helping supplement existing health care services in Botswana in whatever way I can be useful. Locally, I do my best to contribute to the wellbeing of those stricken by poverty by volunteering bi-weekly at a homeless shelter, and am working with other students to form the  Universities Fighting World Hunger, University of Ottawa Chapter, an international coalition of like-minded university students working to help countries plagued by famine. Now it’s time for me devote some energy and experience to help out abroad. I am looking very forward to supporting the objectives of the Cancer Association of Botswana, and committing to this internship.

Sara Miller

Hello! My name is Anne LeMesurier and I am a recent graduate of Acadia University’s Honours Sociology class of 2010. The sociology department at Acadia is an incredibly supportive and inspiring group of people who have encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Thanks to their support and the support of my close friends and family, I find myself about to embark upon what I expect will be a fascinating and enriching adventure! My placement is based in the village of Kasane, in northern Botswana bordering Nambia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I will be working for Ditshwanelo – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights with their Land Rights programme. 

Last summer I had the opportunity to participate in Acadia’s Students for Development program where I traveled to New Delhi, India and worked as an intern for the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. Though I have always been interested in international affairs, this really sparked my desire to continue working in the field of human rights. Inspired by my work and daily experiences in India, upon my return to Canada I spent the year researching forced evictions from slums within India’s urban centres for my honours thesis. I have become quite interested in the concept of insecurity of tenure and how this results in the perpetuation of poverty. I am looking forward to learning more about Botswana’s controversial land issues and various human rights issues in general within an African context.

My name is Alisa Gehrels.  I am a student at the University of Ottawa where I have completed a four year specialization in psychology, and am returning for a fifth year to complete extra courses, including this internship.  My internship will take place at the Lesedi Counselling Centre (BOCAIP) in Kanye, Botswana which is just south-west of the capital.  The Centre is a non-profit, and faith-based NGO which works to respond to HIV/AIDS related morbidity and mortality, seekng to improve the lives of their clients through the services and programming they offer.  My motivation for participating in this internship program lies in my interest of other cultures, a desire to travel and learn which was sparked by a trip I took a few years ago to South America, and a budding interest in the field of international development and NGO management.  As the departure for Botswana comes closer, I am becoming increasingly nervous and excited.  This trip promises to be a fantastic opportunity, offering the chance to not only learn about, but to experience first-hand another culture.  I look forward to being able to utilize my past experiences, learn from others, and take the opportunity to explore the country of Botswana. Â
- Alisa

Hi!  My name is Tara Templin and I am a 2^nd year Masters student at the University of Ottawa.  I am studying to obtain my graduate degree in International Development and Global Studies and I’m eager to continue on a path of personal and professional development by doing an internship with WUSC in Vietnam as a Funding and Proposal Writing Advisor.  Personally, I am very interested in the social policy, grassroots initiatives and development of Vietnam. 

Professionally, I have been involved in development work for several years.  I have worked in Latin America for four years supporting grassroots development initiatives, as well as in North America, lobbying for more transparency and constructive foreign policy alternatives.  This internship opportunity offered by WUSC in the area of proposal development at Tra Vinh University will allow me to both utilize and build on these skills.

I hope to complete my Masters in International Development and Globalization at the University of Ottawa in spring 2011.  I have chosen to focus my research on South-East Asia, in particular the dynamics between donors, NGOs – large and small – and the state.  However, I think it is essential for a sound academic understanding of the region, to first have lived and experienced development in that region.  At least, that is what I have understood thus far.  My grasp of the development challenges facing Latin America is infinitely more complete having lived in various Latin American countries and worked, lived and shared experiences with the citizens of those countries.  I am anxious to have a similar opportunity in an entirely new region of the world.  I am particularly excited to experience the culture of the ethnic Khmer people, a large minority group in the Tra Vinh region. 

I am anxiously awaiting my departure to Vietnam in September and can’t wait to experience the richness of living and working there.   And, I can’t wait for my first bowl of (in-country) Pho (a wonderful bowl of soup for those of you unfamiliar with the cuisine).

Although I was brought on as a Project Assistant for Teen Clubs, my role quickly was adapted to working as much as possible with youth affected by HIV and trying to help them in whatever capacity possible to make the slightest improvement to their quality of life. In this way I was able to dabble in a number of different projects and gained a broader understanding of the work that Holy Cross Hospice does. From organizing a Culture Camp – a 3 day retreat that in the midst of Western influence gave youth the opportunity to reconnect with their roots and traditions – to facilitating the enrolment of out of school youth into skills-based training programs, I feel that I was able to contribute to the work of the hospice while learning a great deal along the way.

Aside from the working aspect, living in Botswana has been a learning experience in itself. Being a foreigner I was often treated like a celebrity and received lots of attention, which was understandable at the beginning. After some time though, it just felt strange as I was starting to feel more and more like a local but those who didn’t know me continued to treat me like a foreigner. Saying hello to vendors on the side of the street has become somewhat of a hobby of mine here. These people are usually warm and friendly. They’re surprised to hear ‘dumela’ from a foreigner but it brings the most amazing smile to their faces when you make the effort to learn and speak Setswana.

I have been fortunate with my travels here and have had the opportunity to see some wonderful things. From the Okavango Delta in Maun to Table Mountain in Cape Town, each trip has been a delightful adventure. Travelling on a student budget, I’ve actually spent a significant amount of time on a bus – on weekends of course

My next trip will be back to Canada. Leaving Botswana is going to be very bitter-sweet. Although I am looking forward to resuming life back in Canada, the experiences I have had here and the people I have met will stay with me forever. I can say without a doubt that this has been one of the most unique experiences I have had so far.

Go Siame Botswana

Work here at the LCCT has been extremely busy, and I have had so many new projects and activities on the go that many of my initial priorities and projects have been left behind.  It is a challenging time for the organization as I have mentioned, with the impending closeout of their primary donor coming up in just a few weeks.  Although I have not been able to work directly with the clients and caregivers here at the LCCT as much as I would have liked, I am glad to say that I at least feel like I was able to contribute my skills and assistance to the people at the centre during my time here.  I have also gained so much from my time here, and I walk away now with new skills and a learning experience about development work and non-governmental organizations that I was unable to glean from years of lectures and coursework on the topics.  The challenges NGOs face, both internally and from the world around them, are immense, and I now feel like I have a tiny idea about what kind of people and attitudes are needed to run successful organizations that really make an impact on their communities.

I am not ready to leave Botswana or my placement, and I wish that I had more time to spend with the people I have met and to see more of the country that has treated me so well.  It really has been fun, and weekends for the last two months have been full of travels to different parts of the country, volunteering time in town with orphan programs, and braais (Barbeques) with new friends from Botswana and around the world.  Work has been challenging at times but also fulfilling, and I am honestly not looking forward to heading back to school and hitting the books…something I normally enjoy!

In the end all I can hope it that I was able to help my organization while I was here, and that the friends I have made will remain a part of my life in the years to come. 

Thanks for reading,

Amanda

I am a fourth year student in the Faculty of Social Sciences, majoring in Political Science and Women’s Studies at the University of Ottawa. I come from a small town in Ontario and have come to Ottawa to pursue my interests in international relations, women’s issues – both domestic and international – and social justice. I enjoy travel and getting to know new cultures and people, spending time with family and friends, and reading some good fiction in my spare time.

My studies have offered me plenty of research opportunities to discover political, philosophical and religious aspects of the developing world, cementing my interest in Asia. Students Without Borders provides an excellent opportunity for me to really experience my studies first hand – bringing the theoretical and the practical together. My placement in Vietnam, as a Gender Assistant at Tra Vinh University, will involve supporting the Gender and Community Department in a number of activities: conducting research on education outcomes and the labour market in order to address the gender and ethnicity gap; developing partnerships with employers; coordinating an English Club for Khmer students; and ongoing research and professional development activities addressing gender and ethnicity, education access, quality and outcomes.

I hope to influence real change by developing research products that could impact policy decisions at the University. My past work experience on access to education has proven that change takes some time to manifest itself, but if I can be part of the process I will feel like my placement has been a success. As my departure date comes closer and closer, the reality of three months in Vietnam is starting to sink in. I expect to be challenged in my work, but also on a personal level – language and cultural barriers, getting around, and more will all test my ability to adapt. I hope I can take this experience and grow from it, as an academic and as a person. My first task in the field is yet to be determined, but whatever it is I am ready to take it on!

I enjoy experiencing new things and have always been fond of travelling but I have never stepped foot in a country as foreign as Ghana . While in Ghana I will be working with an NGO called TOYACE (Tongu Youth and Children Evangel). TOYACE is involved in many different projects including providing irrigation and safe drinking water to surrounding communities and managing a radio station. Additionallly, they run youth development programs and an orphange – both of which are of particular interest to me. 

I find these progams appealing because I believe  that I will  be able to apply the theory I acquired in university and the experience I gained while volunteering with youth in a program called S.T.A.R. (Skills through Activity and Recreation), to empower some of the youth at TOYACE to become more self-reliant.

I’m really looking to integrating myself in Ghanaian culture and learning as much as I can while I am there.

I’m still in Canada but already thrilled by the idea of working abroad! My greeting attests! My name is Kevin Depault, grad student at the University of Ottawa. Having just finished my first year of studies in Development and Globalization, it felt like I couldn’t wait any longer to really experience what is development. Don’t get me wrong; I like studying. However, I chose this master expressly because I want to work in the field. Sitting on a chair for several hours is not for me, at least for now. I’m a man of action. This is the main reason why I’m going to Gaborone this fall. Located in Botswana, it’s the largest city of the country and also the capital. It makes sense for me to go there because my thesis is about power relations in the urban settlements of Kenya. Gaborone is obviously different from Nairobi, but I like to think of it as a good starting point to discover Africa. I’ll be working as project assistant for Baylor Children’s Clinical Centre of Excellence. More specifically, I’ll be involved in the Teen Club project, a peer support group intervention for HIV-positive adolescents. Many people told me it won’t be an easy task, but I’d rather see it as a great formative experience. As far as I’m concerned, children, whatever the physical condition they’re in, have generally more vitality and joy than many adults. As you can see, I’m very motivated and looking forward to my internship. Meanwhile, I’ll be transformed into a sponge, ready to absorb everything around me.