July 31, 2024
News
Melissa Vong, a master's student in International Relations, joined the communications team in the humanitarian aid and development cooperation department of Caritas Czech Republic for three months. Melissa helped the team by writing articles and some administrative tasks. During her time with us, she also participated in several PR events. Now that her internship came to an end, Melissa shares her personal experiences with Caritas Czech Republic in the following interview.
Why did you decide to do an internship with a humanitarian organisation?
An internship at a humanitarian organisation felt natural to me because it aligns with my studies. I studied a master’s programme in International Relations. I am very interested in a career in nonprofit organisations which is why I chose to specialise in this area. Besides, the internship is also an opportunity to participate in a bigger cause. When you learn about the crises and conflicts around the world, such as Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan or Yemen, you realise how much this aid is needed. It was important for me to do an internship that would allow me to contribute in any way possible.
It sounds like you were very sure about doing your internship in an NGO. Why did you specifically choose Caritas Czech Republic?
It’s a funny story. When I was searching for an internship in an NGO, I was reading an interview with an intern much like this one on the website of Caritas Czech Republic. I realised this was an encouraging and positive environment to begin my first steps in the professional world. After doing a deeper dive into the actions of the organisation, I was convinced it was the right place for me. I like that they act in different parts of the world, whether it is the Middle East, Africa or Eastern Europe, the aid provided differs a lot. This makes for interesting research and content. As an international relations major, I also enjoyed the fact that Caritas Czech Republic focuses both on humanitarian aid for more urgent needs and sustainable development cooperation for a long-term vision. I believe that combining these two strategies will help to create better living conditions for people all around the world.
Was this your first experience with a humanitarian organisation? Was there anything that surprised you during your internship?
Yes, this was my first experience with a humanitarian organisation. I was surprised at how broad the international communication tasks are. You can write an article one day and participate in a PR event the next day. It keeps the job exciting and interesting.
You stayed with Caritas Czech Republic for three months. What were your main tasks during your internship?
My main task was writing and editing articles. It was stimulating because you could be writing an article on refugees one day and on the environment the next, so you are always learning something new. I also did some administrative tasks to support the team, as well as assisting at PR events. This was particularly enjoyable as I could meet people and talk about the work the organisation is doing. The people were very open, so we had many interesting conversations.
That sounds like a very diverse set of tasks. What did you like most about your internship at Caritas Czech Republic?
I enjoyed that the tasks I was given led me to research many topics, such as reading project documents about a project in Syria to bring clean water to internally displaced people, or UN reports on the situation of refugees in Zambia. To me, this was the most exciting part of the internship.
Have you had to face any challenges regarding the language barrier as you do not speak Czech?
Yes and no. The team at Caritas Czech Republic always made sure to speak as much English as they could so we interns understood everything and felt included. However, not speaking Czech was difficult while assisting at the PR events. It was sometimes hard to talk to people during the events, as there was in fact a language barrier. Nonetheless, a Czech speaking team member was always there to translate or to help if needed. This was reassuring because you can really count on your colleagues.
What are your plans after the internship?
After my internship, I am going to Lima in Peru to complete a second 3-month internship in the field of human rights to graduate from my Master’s degree in the fall. After that, I am planning to backpack around South America for a year. I want to discover and understand the world to help bring about more change.
That sounds like interesting plans. How will the knowledge from your internship with Caritas Czech Republic help you in the future?
Doing an internship is an opportunity to gain a different set of skills than the ones you obtained from studying. Thanks to my internship at Caritas Czech Republic, I will definitely find it easier to adapt to a new working environment, which can be a bit of a challenge for me. I have learned more about how to work in a team and how to ask for help if needed. I am sure this will help my future professional relationships.
Do you have any advice for future interns?
I think what interns can struggle with is learning how to adopt the writing style of Caritas Czech Republic if your main task is writing articles. For this reason, my advice is to be patient, read as many articles as you can to get familiar with the language and do not hesitate to request additional feedback.
Are you interested in doing an internship at Caritas Czech Republic? Find out more about the internships at the Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation department at the link below.
