Interning Abroad Personal Statement

Interning abroad allows for one to deepen their understanding of the world around them through unfamiliar cultural and life experiences by way of learning a new language or linguistic style, being immersed into a new workspace, or adapting to an entirely new way of life. For these reasons, I am elated that my first internship will be in a city that I am so deeply in love with. Prior to my internship with with the non-profit African Foundation for Development (AFFORD UK), most of my work related to the nature of the organization has been facilitated through my work as a grassroots organizer in my roles through the Virginia Student Power Network of New Virginia Majority and Mason DREAMers. Moreover, my roles as a STEP Mentor for the Office of

Diversity, Inclusion, and Multicultural Education, Undergraduate Research Assistant for the Office of Student Creative Activities and Research, and Peer Advisor/Co-Teacher of UNIV 100 for the Center of Academic Advising, Retention, and Transition at George Mason University have prepared my substantially in various ways for the tasks that I will be asked to complete. I would even argue that the retail experience I gained from working at Sephora instilled lessons that will prove to be helpful throughout the next two months.
I decided to pursue an international internship because I would like to live and continue my postgraduate studies abroad, in fact, my desire to intern abroad began the summer of 2014.

I stepped foot on unfamiliar soil for the first time in London, followed by Paris and Versailles, and then the major cities and islands of Italy. While there on an educational tour, I was fully immersed in cultures I had only read about in history books and blog posts. However, in that brief time, I found that I had developed a stronger sense of community. During the educational tour, we were taught the history of each city and as I walked through the halls of the Tower of London, there was something uncanny about walking through a former prison that was now a tourism site. Incited by the forgotten oppressions once perpetuated in these cities, I found myself interested in international human

rights.
Having visited London twice before, my destination of choice was anything but random as I have alluded to.

I chose London as my intern destination for a specific reason. England, as a whole, sits in a very salient position within the global community. It has served as both a catalyst for social degradation, as one of the largest colonial powers, and yet, as a catalyst for progressive social change. As a global affairs major with a concentration in global inequalities and responses, this is a significant place of interest for me. This internship will allow me to examine scholarly works for my future research and publications, as well as how to better understand the intersections of social constructions and identities in various countries. As I prepare to visit London for the third time, I have been looking at the surrounding area, making note of anything that is familiar to me via google maps, as well as mapping my way from the tube station to the apartment building. I have also been looking for the closest grocery stores, as I have started planning my weekly meal preps while price checking everything on my list in Tesco, Sainsbury, and

Asda.
Through my internship with AFFORD UK, I would like to examine the dynamics of oppression and resilience, as well as how to mitigate the harmful impacts these dynamics may have on communities in the African diaspora through policy and/or media work; Specifically by way of working on their Diaspora Emergency Action and Coordination project, their Migration and Development Civil Society Network project or possibly assisting Haja, the woman who interviewed me, with communication management. I am certain that I will learn rewarding lessons about problem solving and critical thinking, as well as how to adapt to new work environments. I am really hoping that the work environment has a dynamic that’s very distinguishable when compared to the U.S., I’m not sure in which ways yet but I have a feeling that very professional environments in the U.K. will feel more relaxed.
The experiences I will gain from this internship is what excites me the most, as I am being given the opportunity to learn from a community that I am both apart of and not. Furthermore, I am also being given the opportunity to use my resources to support a communities initiatives to build sustainable change; as well as gain international work experience that will help develop my empathic, communication, organizing, and critical thinking skills. This will be of great benefit as I seek out international job opportunities with organizations such as Amnesty International. In return, I hope to offer a sense of care and connection, unwavering support, resources and allyship to a cause that is greater than self. Moreover, upon returning to the U.S., I wish to challenge my peers to think critically about how we perceive the world around us, as well as, how we can better engage. My greatest concern would be missing out on an opportunity to grow and learn more about myself, my work ethic, and communities abroad, something I don’t foresee happening.