By Matthieu Bélanger, Université Laval
Dear readers,
My second internship in West Africa has been an enriching experience, both professionally and personally. Work experience abroad is very educational and is a great way to learn more about oneself and others.
For me, it all began with the requirement to complete an internship for my Masters in International Studies. I wanted to work overseas, but I had no international experience. Ultimately, my application for an internship in Mali was accepted. As part of a vast ten-year program to reform the justice system, I relaunched and managed the operation of a material resources management system within several jurisdictions. Working in cooperation with the Justice Department, I experienced the bureaucratic labyrinth firsthand, in an environment of very formal hierarchical relationships. It was an enriching experience because I had great freedom to act.
After this first experience, I wanted to start my management career within an international NGO. After several unsuccessful attempts, I accepted a project management internship in Burkina Faso. Currently, I am building the organizational capacities of a large network of NGOs active in grassroots education, through a results-based management (RBM) approach, and improvement of follow-up and evaluation of their activities. The internship provides me the opportunity to rub shoulders with people who are committed and who actively contribute to developing their society in a more informal framework. The challenges are not as great as in my previous internship, and I must admit I have fewer responsibilities. Nonetheless, the discovery of new cultures remains just as fascinating and intriguing.
I’ll finish up with a few anecdotes. Driving my “old tortoise,” a moped, was quite the experience in itself. Just picture snaking through crazy, anarchic traffic while avoiding motorcyclists who think they own the road, or, my favourites, donkeys in heat. Two breakdowns, three flat tires and one return home on foot also enlivened my stay in the southwest of the country. Nothing to worry about, just your ordinary, everyday events… To truly understand, you really have to experience it yourself.
And now I'm going to be back where I started, ready to experience the pleasures of winter and job hunting! I hope you found this short letter interesting!
Sincerely,
Matthieu Bélanger
