Can you tell us about your internship placement in Bali — what kind of work did you do, and how did it align with your academic or career interests?

My internship this summer was with Bamboo Village Trust (BVT), a Bali-based NGO that aims to create sustainable livelihoods and restore degraded ecosystems through the creation of “bamboo villages” across the tropics.

My work with BVT ranged across a few different teams and projects. First, I was in charge of putting together a plan (including a map, sample design, field survey, and overall methodology) for the validation of a mapping model created by the GIS team. Using what we learned from conducting and analyzing the data from this study, I created a document outlining standardized methods for any map validation performed by the organization and its partners moving forward. Another project I worked on entailed analyzing discussions from a workshop hosted by the organization’s Grow Your Own City team and conducting supplementary research related to its central topics. After doing this, I helped write a “white paper” for the organization that describes this information to important stakeholders. Finally, I assisted the communications team at BVT with various smaller tasks, like creating reels for their social media.

After college, I hope to pursue a Masters of Urban Planning and go on to work in the field of sustainable community development. The projects I worked on at BVT gave me direct experience in community development in addition to other necessary skills like GIS, fieldwork, and research.

How has this experience shaped your perspective on public affairs or your role in creating positive change in the world?

My internship and time living in Bali really broadened my perspective on public affairs and the ways we can engage with our work in the field. BVT’s approach to community development is very participatory, meaning that community stakeholders are at the forefront of the process. Observing this further solidified my belief that getting to know the communities you work with and uplifting people’s voices within them is of utmost importance. I think it is also critical to engage with different kinds of communities. Bali is so different from California, where I was born and raised, so I was able to familiarize issues and strategies for addressing them that I otherwise might not have.

Do you have any advice for other students who are considering this Global Internship opportunity next year?

My experience in GIP was life-changing. It was my first time ever traveling outside of the United States and my first on-site internship experience, so it felt like taking a big leap. Getting out of my comfort zone in this way ultimately allowed me to make some of the most incredible memories and to learn so much in just two months.

Though it may sound a bit trite, a big piece of advice I have for anyone looking to participate in the Global Internship Program is to make the absolute most out of your time abroad, both in and outside of your internship. Get to know as much about the local culture as you can, try new things, meet new people, ask a ton of questions at your internship site, learn about your colleagues’ lives/experiences, and spend your off-time exploring! I tried to be very intentional about these things during my time in Bali and  I am more than satisfied with the experiences and knowledge that I gained from the program as a result.