“My internship with Campaña Colombiana Contra Minas (CCCM - or the Colombian Campaign to Ban Landmines) has been the first position I have held directly in the field of development.”
Natalia, International Development and Globalization, Mines Action Canada Columbia Campaña Colombiana Contra Mina(CCCM), Project Support Officer
Given that the nongovernmental sector plays an extensive role in this field, this internship has been a great learning experience for me. I have learned about the challenges Colombia encounters regarding violence and landmines in the rural sectors of the country as well as how CCCM tackles landmines and their impacts. Through my internship, I have gained knowledge not only from a professional perspective, but also a personal perspective.
As a Colombian who moved to the United States at the age of 11, I have found this to be a great opportunity to expand my comprehension of my country, in specific its rural areas, and how violence affects them, as well as learn about Colombia’s past and present situations. Since starting my internship, I have felt more capable of speaking with others about Colombia, its current predicaments, and its development. In turn, my internship has helped me understand my country more deeply, an opportunity of which I am highly appreciative.
Furthermore, in my position, I have learned about CCCM’s role at helping to address the struggles stemming from landmines. It has been an enormous opportunity as I have gained experience with the various tasks that the project team undertakes. More specifically, I have understood how NGOs such as this one cooperate with stakeholders such as other organizations, local communities, and even within their own organization. I feel confident that I am nearing the end of this internship with an expanded skillset, perspective, and awareness.