Seize the moment
"Extracurricular student exercises and engagement outside the classroom I find profoundly profitable to both the institution and student. I have been a product of this from the dawn of studying here at the Higer School of Economics (HSE). Giving me the chance to take on significant responsibility for creating internship opportunity. This provided me with a depth of practical experience I would not have gained in the university" - by Etikini Rukevwe Claret, second-year student, about her internship opportunities during the study.
The last few months for me have been overwhelming. The Higher School of Economics gave us its student what I will call a window of opportunity. This six weeks official internship was an academic escape nevertheless an academic obligation. I could count myself being lucky to get such a phenomenal platform to gain work experience and become more passionate about my master studies research. I traveled back to my country Nigeria in December and got a place for my internship by the end of January where I undertook a six weeks internship at LITE-Africa.
During my internship I had the chance to be exposed to relevant data for my thesis development, new experience working with marginalized communities, gained knowledge on the process of capacity building to ensure sustainability, developed many skills. In addition, I was able to network with a lot of humanitarian workers where I took advantage of their great advice on my future career plans and also information on been in the global stand. I was informed from my internship office on the Global Festival of Action for Sustainable Development which is powered by the UN SDG Action Campaign from 21-23 March 2018 in Bonn, Germany. I seized the moment and opportunity and attended it. This Festival focused on Innovation and disruptive change; mobilizing action, multi-stakeholder engagement, Citizen Engagement, and communicating the SDGs. Of course, I quickly located my thesis goal which was focused on quality education SDGs 4 and participated in several international dialogues on this goal among which was a workshop with the German diplomacy lab discussing the unconscious bias in education which is caused by dysfunctional hierarchy, family structure and inequity in education (thesis focus). Also had other fun games including my first use of virtual reality to get in debt awareness of global issues.
Upon completion of this global campaign, I participated in the international career festival Rome 23-27 March 2018 and worked under the UNESCO Model United Nation committee, this was a diplomatic simulation to train student and youth the norm of the united nation and discuss on global issues. I further discussed ensuring equal access to All Women and Girls to Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education in this conference (thesis focus also on gender inequality in education). Root causes were fetched out through joint effort and open debate. This was a significant impact on my thesis and more development on teamwork skills. The creativity and dynamism inspire me, and also the innovation this conference offers including elements I am using in my master thesis and that which I can take to Nigeria and use in our local context.
Finishing the internship and being part of this two global conferences I am walking away with many new skills. Beyond personal growth, it offers a platform to know what next after school and ensure successful completion of your studies. I now am considering pursuing a career in the development sector. I would love to advise my fellow students and benefactor of this opportunity to seize every moment of their academic obligation.
Once again, thank you for making the internship a rewarding experience!
second-year student