Christina Frederico, Conflict Studies and Human Rights
Location: Cotonou, Benin
Canadian NGO: Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI)
Local NGO: Believe in Women Entrepreneurship (BeWE)
It has been a few weeks since the beginning of what has truly been a life changing experience, as cliché as the sentiment is. I applied to the Conflict Studies and Human Rights program at the University of Ottawa, in part, because of the various experiential learning opportunities they offer. I knew that I would not be satisfied with exclusively classroom learning, though that experience has been incredible as well. Through the Faculty of Social Sciences, I have been fortunate enough to take part in a field research course, a semester abroad, and now: an international internship in Benin.
Admittedly, I knew very little about Benin before the application and pre-departure processes. My knowledge of the area was limited to its larger nearby neighbours: Ghana, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso. What a gem I’ve discovered!
Through CECI, I am working as an administrative and financial agent with BeWe, an organization supporting female entrepreneurs in Benin. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from my day-to-day experiences but have been consistently overwhelmed with the friendliness and warmth of the Beninese people, especially at work!
As an administrative agent, I am working with BeWE to further develop their administrative systems. This means a lot of time at my computer, but my days are peppered with conversation, laughter, and delicious food. I am still adjusting to the difference in work culture here compared to that of Canada. For example, I have to remind myself to pop my head into the various doors and say hello/goodbye to everyone. Working in administration outside of Canada has made me more
flexible and resourceful as I learn from my coworkers and adapt my academic/professional knowledge to the Beninese workplace. While this internship has given me the opportunity to implement my skills outside of an office on Sparks Street, I believe I am learning more than I could ever give here. Not only about professional dynamics, but about a different way of life.
There is certainly a disconnect between classroom knowledge and experiential knowledge. I believe this is widely accepted, but not understood to its fullest extent. In preparing for my internship, I did my best to educate myself on the history, culture, and social norms of Benin. Upon my arrival, I could cite the statistical representation of religions amongst the population, the median age, and popular dishes. I could even tell anyone what academic theories I thought best applied to the socio political history of Benin. However, putting this knowledge in the context of daily life is an entirely different experience than acquiring it in the Morisset library. During my <$1 commute to work, I pass by various Christina and Catholic churches, mosques, and voodoo places of worship. I pass by many children on their way to school, all dressed in their beige uniforms and chatting enthusiastically amongst themselves. I also pass by many mémés (grandmas) selling plates of food around meal times, and the lines of zemidjan (moto taxi) drivers waiting for their portions.
I am becoming an increasingly enthusiastic, if not adamant, supporter of experiential learning. Not only is the work and daily life extremely enriching, but my evening and weekend trips have expanded the reach of my understanding of Benin. My experiences have allowed me to draw connections between theory and practice that would otherwise have been impossible to make. I am asking questions I didn’t know should be asked because of my newfound ability to observe certain phenomena, such as the professional culture, methods of transportation, accessibility to healthcare, hierarchies based on race, age, gender, etc. I am eager to see what the remaining weeks of my internship have in store, and am already preparing for my heart to break a little as I get on my departing flight.