Thank you so much Ms. Martine Vanasse and Mr. Randall Wilbert for providing me with the Vanasse Wilbert International Experience Internship Award. Your award made this opportunity to work in Panama this summer at International IDEA possible. I am a rising third year at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø studying Political Science and English - Cultural Studies and I am also a part of the 51³Ô¹ÏÍøWomen's Volleyball team. I am partially interested in writing about issues within the intersection of reproductive rights, gender justice, and systems of oppression. I contribute as a writer for Women in International Security, where I focus on amplifying underrepresented perspectives. I also am an editor for McGill’s International Relations journal, Flux. I have a deep passion for connecting writing, storytelling, advocacy, and international work to drive meaningful change and gain new perspectives.
I chose a Communications internship with International IDEA mainly because it gave me a chance to go aboard and experience a continent I had never had the opportunity to go to, especially with an opportunity to contribute to meaningful change. I chose IDEA because of their project in uplifting democracy and contributing to free, safe and fair elections. International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to supporting the development and consolidation of democratic systems around the world. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, IDEA works with 20 different countries including Canada and has Permanent Observer status at the UN to enhance the quality of democracy and promote sustainable political systems. By providing practical tools, research, and expertise, the organization aims to foster democratic governance and support the electoral process across various regions, with a strong focus on comparative knowledge, democratic reform, and influential policies.
The most memorable moments of my internship was the opportunity to go to, photograph and network at a workshop that brought together media experts from Guyana and two internationally recognized experts who led in-depth sessions throughout the day. The aim of the workshop was to strengthen information integrity in electoral processes and raise awareness about digital disinformation as well as mechanisms to address it. Another memorable part about my internship was the other interns that joined me in the regional office. They were from across the US and we had some amazing discussions about our future, and their academic and professional past. Through this, I made very close friends and more connections for future opportunities in my field. A challenge I overcame within this internship was asking for what I wanted to work on. At the beginning of the internship, I was plugged more into a marketing role, working with spreadsheets and graphic design a lot. I originally wanted to do this internship to enhance my writing skills. I overcame this by asking for more writing projects and exploring opportunities on my own on how I could contribute to IDEA’s website.
This internship has helped reaffirm my passion for political journalism especially with the opportunities to be published in International IDEA’s website and social media platforms. It has also allowed me to explore and dive deep into the various projects that IDEA has implemented in Latin America. Lastly, this internship has allowed me to expand my connections beyond Canadian borders and across Latin America.
Thank you Ms. Martine Vanasse and Mr. Randall Wilbert for making this internship opportunity possible. I am incredibly grateful for getting the chance to apply my academic achievements and passions to meaningful work abroad. Your generous support of the Vanasse Wilbert International Experience Internship Award has helped offset the costs of living and travel, which made this experience more accessible for me to participate in.
