York International Internship Program 2009

Final Assignment - Take away

2009-08-14T08:49:00.009-04:00

The time has come already yet so soon. Where did the three months go? Most of you will be finishing up your projects, bidding your farewells, maybe getting some travel in before heading back to Toronto and the start up of classes.

What I would like you to do for this last post is think about what you will take away from your experience. I believe we collect bits and bites along our life journey that make us the fascinating people that we are. Those bits could be lessons, examples, illuminations to reality, realizations of self, wider horizons, fresh directions, or deeper understanding.

When I think of the different places in the world that I have spent time, I can start to think of the different things I have taken from there. In Costa Rica I began to learn the impact of foreigners, be they tourists, travelers or there to stay. My understanding of who I am as an international sojourner began to develop more clearly as I shed the idea that if I am there to do good, I can't do wrong. Oooh, so wrong. I take from Costa Rica the ideal of pura vida - pure life.

I took so much from South Africa in the short time that I was there and hope to be able to repay some of it over my lifetime. I learned how forgiveness is not enough, that there must be reconciliation as well in order to move forward and not get stuck. I take the example put forward to me of the quiet strength that I saw in so many of the women who carry the sorrows and future of that country on their backs, quietly. I endeavour to find that kind of strength that is so devastatingly effective yet thankless because of its selflessness.

As ever, I encourage you to go deep. Just writing this has taken me back and given me a bit of space to think about those experiences from years ago in the context of who I am today. I can see where I am a better person for the experience and where I have some work to do. The parameters for this assignment are quite broad. Feel free to explore the good, the bad and the ugly.

Enjoy the last little bit of your internship and travel well. I look forward to seeing you when you are back.

Mid Point Evaluations

2009-07-29T10:50:00.003-04:00

Hi Folks,

Just a quick note to say thank you to all who have submitted their evaluations thus far and a reminder for those who are still working on them. I can't tell you how useful they are for us as we continue to develop the program.

It is also good to hear the challenges you have encountered and how you have overcome them. Challenges are good things. It gives you the opportunity to grow. Without the hiccups, you might as well be in an all inclusive resort or cruise.

Toronto Update - It looks like the strike is drawing to a close though there is still grumbling from both sides. We should have the city cleaned up for your return.
This weekend is the long weekend. Woot Woot!

Tourist or Tempest

2009-07-23T15:44:00.009-04:00

I have been having an interesting blog conversation with Patrick who is in Bonn, Germany on internship with the African Youth Foundation about tourism. I had another blog assignment planned that I wasn't really liking and then this little beauty appeared from our chatting. I think it is a great subject to dig your teeth into.

Tourism. Good or bad? I am sure we have all had encounters with the monster tourist and indeed you may have come across them during your internship. Often identifiable by their socks in sandals, beige slacks, expensive cameras and loud voice demanding more ketchup for their beautifully prepared yet unappreciated meal. Yeah, you know the type. While they often make themselves most apparent, I don't think they would be typical of the average tourist.

Tourism can bring about positive change, particularly in developing areas, by the infusion of cash into the local economy. Direct employment, improved infrastructure, development of health care facilities and foreign exchange can do wonders for locals who may not have alternative sources of income generation. Poorly managed tourism can also lead to environmental degradation, poor working conditions, diverted development (roads instead of schools) and an unstable market (i.e. economic downturn). Beyond that, bad tourists bring with them their crappy lifestyle of drugs and prostitution, cultural exclusion and destruction. Bad tourist bad!

I remember having a discussion when I was in school that we were travelers, not tourists. Tourism had acquired such a negative meaning and we didn't want to be lumped in with "them". I wonder if the locals whose homes we travel to see the distinction between a tourist and a traveler.

I chatted with a professor here at York who worked in Zambia with CUSO for over a decade and she stated that she and the local partners had a hard time investing in cooperants who were only going to be in country for two years. TWO YEARS!!! What does that say for interns who are only there for three months? I see immense value in young professionals working abroad for such a short period of time but are you really just tourists with some work to do?

Here is our very broad topic of discussion then for the next set of blogs. Are you a tourist? If you are, is that such a bad thing? Try to get past that initial reaction of "Of course not! I am living and working here! Why would Larissa even ask me that!". Think about it from the perspective of the people that you live and work with. What is the difference between you and a tourist?

I have resigned myself to the fact that I am indeed a tourist when I travel, even for work. Whether it is for a week or a year. This helps me to try to be a better tourist then. I stay at the locally owned hotels, eat in local restaurants rather than chains, attempt to be a respectful photographer. But beyond that, I try to be aware of the impact that my mere presence has and try to offset the negative impacts. I endeavour to treat locals and their riches with due respect rather than a commodity to be consumed. This can be as simple as a smile, a thanks, asking my taxi driver his name and shaking his hand.

Keep a copy

2009-07-08T09:46:00.002-04:00

Hello Future Employees of the World,

A friendly reminder from your friendly project manager that it is a good idea to keep a copy of assignments, presentations, brochures, reports, etc. that you complete while on internship. These will prove handy when you are developing a portfolio to show off the many talents you have. I strongly recommend developing a portfolio that you can take with you to interviews in the future. Besides impressing your future bosses, it is a good way to organize yourself mentally to speak of your experiences and skills.

Check with your supervisors to make sure it is alright that you take a copy of what you produce. If you don't have something physical or tangible, take a picture of the work that you do. I have a few picture pages in my portfolio that show me doing work (i.e. meeting people, working in groups, activities in action). I also have print outs of power point presentations I have given and REFERENCE LETTERS. Be sure to get a reference letter from your supervisor BEFORE you leave your internship.

When you are back, you are more than welcome to check out my portfolio for ideas. I also recommend swinging by the Career Centre on campus. This is one of the best resources available to you, free of charge.

Alright, back to work!

To Change or Not To Change

2009-07-06T15:04:00.005-04:00

Hi Folks,

Time to get back to blogging. First let me say that it is a pleasure seeing how you are all communicating so well electronically. Even those of you who have limited connectivity, like Mayan and Maggie in the bushes of Kenya struck by malaria five minutes after their arrival, are participating in the blogosphere. Well done!

Most of you are a good month into your internship and are likely well on your way to adapting. What I am interested in this week is how you have adapted. What have you changed in yourself to become more effective in your host culture? Often these changes are quite subtle and may require some reflection. Start with the easy stuff. How do you greet people (kiss on the cheek, more formal with names)? How do you eat your food (chopsticks, fingers)? Do you barter when you want to buy something or just pay the posted price like Canada? Have you forsaken your jeans and flipflops for the smartly professional look?

Then move into the less tangibles and think about why you have had to change and how effective that change is. For example, have you changed the way that you communicate? Perhaps you don't look people directly in the eye. Do you moderate the language that you use to sound less opinionated or definitive? Do you speak softer or louder?

Then dig a little deeper. Have you had to change your behaviour based on gender roles and rules applied to you by your host culture? How does that feel? For women, it can be a challenge because you can't go out after dark without an escort, you feel your opinion is taken as seriously as your male counterpart, you get given the up and down rather intently. For the men, it is can be challenging as well seeing creepy guys leer at your female counterparts. What do you do about that?

These are just some suggestions of things to examine. You will of course have your own good answers. I look forward to reading them and to you giving each other advice, or at least condolences and understanding.

Dig deep! No low hanging fruit. Happy blogging.

News around the world

2009-06-26T05:51:00.003-04:00

Well my darlings, it has been a tough week in Holywood. It started with Ed MacMahon dying at the beginning of the week. This is the famous sidekick to Johnny Carson, the guy who hosted the Late Show before Jay Leno. Then we were saddened to hear that Farrah Fawcett had pass away Thursday morning. We knew she had been sick but it was still sad news for a woman who was so beautiful.

Then the shocker. Michael Jackson dead at 50! Holy cow! I am trying to gauge what the reaction is by those who are younger than me. I grew up with MJ's shadow looming large in my pop cultural understanding. My generation in North America didn't know a world without him. Even though he went a little wacko, I still have one of his songs on my iPod (Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough). (I am so bopping away to it right now).

What I think would be interesting to know is what the reaction to his death is where you are? I know my friends in South Africa had posts on their facebook within minutes of us finding out here. We have a unique opportunity with everyone connected by blogs from around the world. If you feeling like sharing your reflections, feel free to add a comment to this post.

Skype Me!

2009-06-23T09:09:00.000-04:00

Hey Folks,
Just had a lovely conversation by Skype with an intern. I would love to chat with you if you can connect. I am listed under my name Larissa Strong or nickname Lahlissa (don't ask). I discovered how to use the video camera in my fancy, new laptop. Unfortunately for my chat partner, I am home sick with a summer cold (the worst) sitting in my pyjamas with my hair on end, yesterday's make up sliding down my face, hacking up a lung.
Hope you are all feeling better than me. I look forward to chatting with you.
Larissa

Opportunities Abound

2009-06-18T15:40:00.001-04:00

Just back from lunch with a Nigerian delegation that included the High Commissioner for Nigeria, Professor Iyorwuese Hagher. An absolutely lovely gentleman who held my hand as we walked through the campus. One of the first things he told me was that he had met one of my interns at an embassy event and how impressed he was with her. He said she had positioned herself in the middle of the room and was introducing herself to all who came her way with a friendly "My name is Anna Korovina and I am a York intern". He was even more impressed when he checked his email the next day and had a message from her saying how pleased she was to have met him. I was beeming with pride.

Opportunities like these internships provide such fantastic avenues as Eli and Lishai have described in their blogs as well. I hope that all of you are able to have such fantastic encounters and handle them with the grace and professionalism of Anna.

2009-06-17T15:11:00.001-04:00

Cool little movie I stumbled upon. I like the question he poses.

Trends via TrendHunter.com.

Must read blog!!!

2009-06-13T18:45:00.000-04:00

Check out the latest post by Eli. Just goes to show what a little chutzpah will get you.

Assignment #2 - Set the scene

2009-06-12T10:51:00.000-04:00

Well then! Assignment number one really got people writing and thinking. I am thrilled with the posts and have really enjoyed reading them. For the second assignment, I am going to take it easy on you. I think we all need a little context of where you have ended up. If you could write a little description of where you are, what you are doing, what your living conditions are like, what is the food like, what the people are like, fun things you have done.

Already many of you have made comment about the interesting differences between your host country and Canada. If you could expand on those thoughts in this blog for the pleasure of others, and me. What are some of the things that surprise you? Are there things that are actually the same where you are? Have you come across the ubiquitous IKEA?
What is it like to cross the street? Is there anything that you are missing about Canada yet? Feel free to throw in pictures. You know how I like them.

Have a great weekend!

Good Advice

2009-06-11T16:05:00.000-04:00

Natasha came across this article and thought you may enjoy it.

May 31, 2009
Op-Ed Columnist
Cum Laude in Evading Bandits
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF

One of the great failures of American universities is that they are far too parochial, rarely exposing students to worlds beyond our borders.

If colleges provide credit for dozing through an introductory Spanish class, why not give credit for a “gap year” in a Bolivian village? If students can learn about microfinance while sitting comatose in 9 a.m. lectures, couldn’t they learn more by volunteering with a lender in a Bangladesh slum?

So with summer starting, it’s up to students themselves to self-educate by setting off on their own. I hold my “win a trip” contest precisely to encourage such trips — I’m just back from visiting five West African countries with a University of South Carolina student. Yet when I encourage students’ wanderlust, questions invariably arise: Will I be safe? How do I avoid robbers and malaria?

In response, here are 15 tips for traveling to even the roughest of countries — and back:

1. Carry a “decoy wallet,” so that if you are robbed by bandits with large guns, you have something to hand over. I keep $40 in my decoy wallet, along with an old library card and frequent-flier card. (But don’t begrudge the wallet: when my travel buddy was pickpocketed in Peru, we tried to jump the pickpocket, who turned out to be backed by an entire gang ... )

2. Carry cash and your passport where no robber will find it. Assuming that few bandits read this column, I’ll disclose that I carry mine in a pouch that loops onto my belt and tucks under my trousers.

3. Carry a tiny ski lock with a six-foot retractable wire. Use it to lock your backpack to a hotel bed when you’re out, or to the rack of a train car.

4. At night, set a chair against your hotel door so that it will tip over and crash if someone slips in at 4 a.m. And lift the sheet to look for bloodstains on the mattress — meaning bed bugs.

5. When it gets dark, always carry a headlamp in your pocket. I learned that from a friend whose hotel in Damascus lost power. He lacked a light but was able to feel his way up the stairs in the dark, find his room and walk in. A couple of final gropes, and he discovered it wasn’t his room after all. Unfortunately, it was occupied.

6. If you’re a woman held up in an isolated area, stick out your stomach, pat it and signal that you’re pregnant. You might also invest in a cheap wedding band, for imaginary husbands deflect unwanted suitors.

7. Be wary of accepting drinks from anyone. Robbers sometimes use a date rape drug to knock out their victims — in bars, in trains, in homes. If presented with pre-poured drinks, switch them with your host, cheerfully explaining: “This is an American good luck ritual!”

8. Buy a secondhand local cell phone for $20, outfit it with a local SIM card and keep it in your pocket.

9. When you arrive in a new city, don’t take an airport taxi unless you know it is safe. If you do take a cab, choose a scrawny driver and lock ALL the doors — thieves may pull open the doors at a red light and run off with a bag.

10. Don’t wear a nice watch, for that suggests a fat wallet and also makes a target. I learned that lesson on my first trip to the Philippines: a robber with a machete had just encountered a Japanese businessman with a Rolex — who now, alas, has only one hand.

11. Look out for fake cops or crooked ones. If a policeman tries to arrest you, demand to see some ID and use your cell phone to contact a friend.

12. If you are held up by bandits with large guns, shake hands respectfully with each of your persecutors. It’s very important to be polite to people who might kill you. Surprisingly often, child soldiers and other bandits will reciprocate your fake friendliness and settle for some cash rather than everything you possess. I’ve even had thugs warmly exchange addresses with me, after robbing me.

13. Remember that the scariest people aren’t warlords, but drivers. In buses I sometimes use my pack as an airbag; after one crash I was the only passenger not hospitalized.

14. If terrorists finger you, break out singing “O Canada”!

15. Finally, don’t be so cautious that you miss the magic of escaping your comfort zone and mingling with local people and staying in their homes. The risks are minimal compared with the wonders of spending time in a small village. So take a gap year, or volunteer in a village or a slum. And even if everything goes wrong and you are robbed and catch malaria, shrug it off — those are precisely the kinds of authentic interactions with local cultures that, in retrospect, enrich a journey and life itself.

Canada Explained

2009-06-10T10:51:00.000-04:00

As we all struggle along to figure out our culture and perhaps include Canada as part of that identity, I came across a useful resource to help. Who other than Rick Mercer would be able to sum it up so succinctly for us?

Is there culture?

2009-06-09T14:49:00.001-04:00

So far I have really enjoyed reading the blogs and seeing how you approach the challenge of defining your own culture. Most have taken it on admirably. Some believe they are above definition. While there are no right or wrong answers, I will say some are more wrong than right.

We all have culture. Yes, your culture is very individual. I would imagine everyone has elements that take take from the different cultures that define themselves. For the purposes of my attempt, I used my Canadianess. In the past I have attempted to define myself as a Ukrainian which is really challenging considering I have never been there, I don't speak the language and I make a pitiful perogie. Nonetheless I consider a significant part of my culture to be determined by what is Ukrainian.

The reason I push is that our culture colours what we take in and what we put out into the world. Remember my screen door analysis from orientation? You need to be able to recognize what your culture is so that you can understand where your biases lay. Once you recognize how your culture creates distortion, you can start to interpret the world beyond without the perversion. I don't like to use the word bias as it incorrectly has a negative connotation but we all have one. Once you know what it is, you can check it and become that more interculturally effective person that you always wanted to be.

York says hi

2009-06-09T09:27:00.000-04:00

Hi Folks,

It is so great that most of you already have your blogs up and are blogging your little hearts out. I have to say that some of you are spectacular writers. This makes my job so much more enjoyable. Keep it up and big yes to pictures.

I want to introduce you to our summer work/study student Anique Jordan aka Miss Jay. Anique was an intern with the Pinelands Creative Workshop in Barbados last year. She will be exercising her fabulously attuned aesthetic to create some new marketing pieces for the internship program. I have also asked her to keep up with your blogs and make comments when she feels inspiration strike. Now our Miss Jay is not to be confused with ANTM's Miss Jay.
Next blog assignment is coming up soon!

What is your culture?

2009-05-27T13:45:00.000-04:00

We talked a bit at the pre-departure orientation about what is culture. Now it is time to put those definitions to the test. When I was in school I had an assignment to define my culture in 250 words. Of all the assignments I have had, this was one of the most challenging and educational so why not pass it along to you.

We looked at culture as illustrated by an iceberg. If I am to define myself as Canadian, the tip of the iceberg would be fairly easy to define. I am a polar fleece wearing, maple syrup chugging, hockey watching, Atwood reading, beer drinking, canoeing, CBC listening, Rick Mercer loving, Neil Young-Joni Mitchell-Gordon Lightfoot adoring, Canadian girl. My name is Larissa AND I AM CANADIAN!

Now the tough part; what lies below the waterline. We had a good chuckle about what is considered beautiful in North America, particularly as it applies to physical beauty in women. As I get older, I am more comfortable challenging the status quo and indeed find beauty in what would challenge the media's definition of beautiful. There are still days though, when mass media is able to trash my confidence and I lament the fact that I am not young, thin, long legged, ripped and wearing the latest fashion.

I consider myself quite modest and find it a positive in others. As a typical Canadian, I don't like people who brag about themselves and will be one of the first to jump on the bandwagon to drag them down. Tell me how much I enjoyed Jian Ghomeshi taking Billy Bob Thornton down a few notches for getting on his high horse. Here comes the gravy!

It is very Canadian to embrace diversity and how that manifests itself can vary wildly in the individual. I suppose I celebrate our diversity by enjoying a wide variety of culinary experiences available in the city, hitting up as many festivals that I can in a year, reading a wide variety of literature, etc. I also enjoy challenging others who may not embrace diversity quite as heartily as I do on their views. We can be lulled into thinking that Canadians embrace diversity the way Torontonians do and I am here to say, not so. Ah, the many shades and variations of Canadian culture.

I am a nut about timeliness and will tear myself up for being late. I will also totally judge others for being late. I like ample physical space around me and indeed will stand on the subway or bus rather than wedge myself in between two people. I am very task oriented and goal focused when it comes to work. I, like our national animal the beaver, believe in getting things done as opposed to be everyone's best friend. I recognize status and hierarchy but tend not to buy into it unless it helps me toward my goal. This is an interesting dichotomy considering I work in a very hierarcichal and status oriented environment. I am a clean freak. I shower every day and make sure that I smell good when I venture into public. I am completely guilty of judging others who don't do likewise. I also believe in keeping a clean home as I see it as an extension of my personal identity.

So these are a few things that I believe help define my cultural identity as a Canadian. I chose items that based on my life experiences and travels I can identify as truly Canadian though of course some of them can be easily incorporated under other cultural titles. It is a start though. And I must say, the best effort I have given to this endeavour considering I have attempted to define my own culture previously and never really been pleased with what I came up with.

Now it is your turn. Choose a culture that you define as your own and try defining it. Start with what is about the waterline to get your feet wet (wink). Then dive down and pull out the deep stuff. I found looking at the iceberg to be helpful. I am looking forward to what you come up with.

Larissa

Welcome!

2009-05-26T20:27:00.000-04:00

Welcome participants of the York International Internship Program 2009! At long last I am getting the blog up and going. I apologize for the delay and hope to make it much prettier as the summer progresses. I want to start by saying how excited I am for all of you as you embark on your international endeavour for the summer. You have been a really fantastic group to work with and I look forward to seeing what you make of this opportunity.

This blog will be where you can find the topics for your blogs as well as the links to the other intern's blogs. We talked about the blogs a bit at the pre-departure orientation and I just want to reiterate why we are doing this. It is one thing to go abroad and have an amazing experience and have your world vision shift. It is another to be able to understand how that shift is happening and be able to articulate the changes that you are experiencing. The blogs are intended to give you the time and space to pull back from your day to day activities and reflect on a wider landscape about your international experience. It is also an opportunity for all of you to have a conversation while on internship in different corners of the world.

The blogs are not meant to be academic but more about your thoughts and reflections. For this reason, there are no right or wrong answers but be prepared to be challenged. Blogs are an electronic conversation and there is naturally a give and take. I ask that when you post, check out at least five other blogs and post your comments about what they have to say. That will get the conversation going.

Recognizing that access to internet is wildly varied around the world, I can only encourage you to do the best you can. If you have the opportunity to put up pictures, I will be very thankful as I LOVE pictures. Natasha and I will be living vicariously through you for the next three months.

I encourage you to have fun with this and see it as a new challenge if you have never blogged before. Take pride in your writing and push yourself to make it sound good. Don't go for the easy answers or what I like to call the low hanging fruit. The good stuff is when you dig deep and really question yourself and your surroundings.

If you have any questions, just drop me a line:
email - lastrong@yorku.ca
skype - lahlissa or Larissa Strong
and yes, I will be your friend on facebook.

The first blog topic will be up shortly.

Larissa