Sachini, Criminology, Alternatives, Sri Lanka, National Fishery Solidarity Organisation (NAFSO), Human Rights Officer
International internships are built to live the experience of the host country while keeping up the work you do. The change in the environment is something that motivates you to keep up with your work. However, no one really expected a pandemic to happen! Of course, virtual learning has been there for a long time but no one knew how useful it was until everyone was quarantined.
My internship is at National Fishery Solidarity Organization (NAFSO) working as a human rights researcher. They primarily focus on land grabbing and sea grabbing of marginalized communities and disadvantaged single mothers. Their main theme is to fight human rights violations post-war. With the chairman’s approval, I was able to relate my research to my degree. I am a fourth-year student doing an honours bachelors in Criminology. The main focus of this internship is on Corruption, Torture and Enforced Disappearances of ethnic minorities in Sri Lanka.
At distance, internships do not require many preparations as to being in the field but let me tell you virtual ones are just as hard. Being on top of your things is very important. For me, that was the hardest. When you have too much time on your hand, you tend to drift away, however, I had two amazing colleagues who kept me motivated and reminded me of our tasks and deadlines. NAFSO’s community is understanding and flexible on what you would like to do. I definitely would love to intern with them again.