My name is Maria Sarah and I am a U3 student, majoring in Economics and minoring in International Development Studies and Social Entrepreneurship. I wanted to do an internship because it will give me the opportunity to get exposed to a real professional environment and gain hands-on experience. It will help me explore my interests in the development sector and international organization, in addition, I will be able to learn new things and improve my skills. Finally, it’s an opportunity for me to interact with professionals in their field and build connections.
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This summer I interned at ASEAN Foundation, one of the bodies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This organisation was established because ASEAN leaders observed that there was a lack of ASEAN awareness and contact among people of ASEAN. Therefore, ASEAN Foundation exists to support the community building process within ASEAN to promote the feeling of one identity among citizens across the Southeast Asia region and to raise awareness about ASEAN. To promote interaction among the people of ASEAN, the ASEAN Foundation organizes key programmes under four thematic areas: Education, Arts and Culture, Media and Community Building. The activities include: training, workshops, scholarship grants, regional forums & meetings, interaction activities and exchanges, seminars and competitions. An example of a programme is the ‘Empowering Youth Across ASEAN’, which is an initiative targeting ASEAN youth to go abroad in Southeast Asia to embark on community projects with the aim of creating a sustained and positive impact in the community.
As a programme intern, I was tasked to assist programme management in the ASEAN Foundation projects. The main task that I was assigned to was to increase the visibility of our programmes. To do that, I had to interview former programme beneficiaries and produce a story about them on how being involved in ASEAN Foundation programmes have impacted their lives. However, besides that, I was also given other tasks such as: drafting concept notes, creating infographics, producing presentations, administer incoming applications for 5th ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN meeting (AFMAM) 2019, sending out invites to Ambassadors to attend 5th AFMAM, assisting in the analysis of survey responses, writing up post-project reports, logistical arrangements (meeting and travel arrangements), developing meeting minutes.
While I received many different assignments, the highlight of my internship was the work culture. Despite being an intern, my supervisor and fellow colleagues treated me like a regular staff and trusted me with substantial projects and assignments. As a result, I was able to be independent and improve my professional development. Besides that, I was given many opportunities to attend important events. For example, I had the chance to listen in to the ASEAN Foundation 42nd Board of Trustees meeting. The board of trustees meeting was attended by Ambassadors to ASEAN from the 10 ASEAN member states. During the meeting, ASEAN Foundation had to present a report covering the activities of the organization that are being carried out. Overall, the Ambassadors had to discuss the Foundation’s development and future direction and this was such a great learning experience because I was able to observe a real roundtable meeting by diplomats. During these kinds of events, I was able to meet many impressive people such as: Ambassadors, Secretary General of ASEAN, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and many more. I am grateful for this internship because it has given me a chance to explore my interests and direct me closer to what I am passionate about. Finally, I am grateful to be leaving my internship with new friends, mentors and exemplars.
As I am receiving credit for this internship, I will be writing a research paper, which will focus on the topic of ‘ASEAN Community Building’ supervised by Professor Jason Carmichael. Finally, I would like to thank the Toten Family for the generous Faculty of Arts Internship Award which made my internship possible.
