Farewell to our 2011 Interns
Every January, two young women land in Geneva for a year long whirlwind internship at the World YWCA - a new continent, a new country, a new culture, a new professional environment, new friends, new challenges, a unique experience,… and before they know it, the time has come for them to fly back home. Alemtsehay Zergaw (YWCA of Ethiopia) and Jenta Tau (YWCA of Solomon Islands) spent the year working respectively in the Communication and Programme Departments of the World office. Their main motivations in applying for the internship were to experience a new environment and different culture, to learn more about the YWCA movement and, especially, to learn new skills and knowledge which they could implement back home and share with their local YWCA.
When asked for their first impressions of Geneva, both Jenta and Alem evoked, not surprisingly, the shock of “the cold Geneva winter”. Jenta was also struck by “the city's infrastructure, which is so different from that in the Solomon Islands” and added that one thing she loved about Geneva in summer was “the beautiful lake and crossing from one bank to the other on the small yellow boats; the open air concerts and also the beautiful firework display”. As far as their initial experience at the World YWCA, both Jenta and Alem expressed great enthusiasm and went on to explain how touched they had been by how welcome they were immediately made by their new colleagues. “We were met at the airport, helped to settle into our new accommodations, guided around Geneva and supported by all in the office” says Alem. Jenta added “I was struck by the fact that, although there was a mix of so many cultures, accents and backgrounds, it was easy to get along with and work with everyone, and I understood that we all had the same basic values”. Jenta also reminisces with a smile at her attempts to ride a bicycle and ice skate with colleagues, two sports she had never previously tried.
There were several highlights to their year abroad other than experiencing life in a new city and work environment. One of these was attending conferences in countries as diverse as Mali, Palestine, Australia, Scotland, Italy and Hungary. “The Solidarity Trip to Palestine was a unique and very moving experience”, said Alem. As for Jenta, visiting Rome and the Vatican was something she will never forget, and visiting Mali – and Africa – for the first time, was a fascinating culture shock. Another highlight excitedly evoked by both interns was having the opportunity of not only attending, but actually speaking at the UN. A unique experience they are very proud of and will never forget. And then, of course, Alem and Jenta felt particularly privileged as 2011 was a World YWCA Council year – something which only happens every four years. Attending and actively participating in a global conference which brought together close to 1000 participants in Zurich, Switzerland was a rare opportunity. Spending a week meeting, discussing and listening to amazing women leaders from every continent was a great inspiration to both interns.
So did their one-year internship fulfill all their expectations? The answer was a loud “yes”. Alem was already working in the communications department of the YWCA in Addis Ababa before coming to Geneva: “I already knew about this field but on a much smaller scale. I greatly developed my knowledge and skills and learnt new ones at the World office. For the first time, I also had the opportunity of working on an international level and also getting a clearer understanding of the whole YWCA Movement, as well as learning more about women’s issues”. Working in the Programme Department was a real eye opener and learning process for Jenta. “I learnt more about the YWCA movement and its activities worldwide, developed my analytical skills, and was initiated to the human rights based approach, which I find extremely interesting. I am also so pleased to have improved my writing and reporting skills and feel that I can now express myself better in English”.
Although Alem and Jenta are sad to be leaving Geneva, their work and their new friends and colleagues, they are very excited about returning home and seeing their families again. They will both be working with their national associations and cannot wait to implement what they learnt in Geneva into their jobs back home. In the future, Alem aspires to eventually work for an international organisation – maybe the UN, the African Union, or a YWCA in East Africa. Jenta would love to travel back to Europe but in the meantime wishes to focus on developing her work at the YWCA in the Solomon Islands and strives to implement the new Pacific Leadership Young Women’s Strategy in her country. This year has been a stepping stone to a new life for both Alem and Jenta. Jenta sums it up in one phrase: “after this year abroad I feel empowered and more self confident.” We wish both Alem and Jenta a good trip home and much success in their future ventures.
