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Next are some contributions and reflections by participants on the "professional internships" projects from other years. (Click on each link to see full content.)
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[...]«I believe that I could write a long list of the things that I have learned,
because in everything that I do or see, in everyone that I meet, I know that I do
it differently to before, although I could not say how, just differently. What I do
know is that there is a before and an after this trip, and I just hope that I will not
forget all these things that I have learned, or that the society in which we live
makes me forget them.» [...]
«Undoubtedly, what I took away from there at a human level is much greater
and more valuable than the work that I might have carried out. I really learned to
value things that before I did not even stop to think about, things of a material
kind, but also on a human level. I am now surprised to see people's lifestyles,
not stopping for even a moment to think about the world around them. Over
there, a smile or a word with someone was the most important thing, and now I
would like to be able to find that value here in conversations with people.
While there I saw the sincerity and openness of people and I learned that
people are not worth more or less depending on whether or not they have
studied or worked in a particular place, as there I met almost completely
uneducated, humble people, who know much more about life and people than
most people considered to be educated.» M.P.
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[...]«I had never thought that I would be capable of doing something like this
(advising the defending counsels of communities and giving young people
classes on human rights). Working in the Department of Human Rights
Promotion and Education of the UCA was a real challenge! [...]
I am grateful for the vote of confidence that they gave me on the first day and
that they did not take away during the five weeks that I shared with them. To
date, the best adventure of my life, without a shadow of a doubt.» N.T.
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[...]«I am satisfied with my work in Nicaragua, however small it was. I believe that I
have fulfilled the objectives that I personally established for myself (I say personally,
rather than professionally), although I also know that I could have done much more.
What I was not expecting was everything that I received in exchange. Or maybe I
should not say "in exchange", because it would appear that you have indeed understood
the value of gratitude.It is true that I was told, that I was warned: you will receive much
more that what you can give. But I feel that I could never repay what they gave me in
Nicaragua, even with all the money in the world, even with all the work in the world.
For receiving me with open arms, for always being there, for sharing part of their life
with me. But above all for those things that are not explained, that are only sensed.
Those that are not understood just felt. And that are seen in their looks, in their smiles,
in a simple but sincere gesture. » C.N.
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[...]«Participating in these projects has allowed us to discover the real situation of the
country as, unlike when you are just a tourist, and you only find out about what you see,
we were able to observe how small Salvadoran businesses work, to understand the
inequality of the country and the difficulties to resolve it, etc.
All of this was possible
thanks to the contacts with people that we would never have had as tourists and with
whom we moreover established a good friendship. We had incomparable sensations and
experiences, which were an excellent complement to the university training. The
experience consisted not just of putting what we had learned to date into practice, but
also of doing so in a totally different cultural context. » P. S.
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[...]«The best memory that I brought back from Bolivia was of its people. The three of
us were astonished on receiving such a warm, pleasant and hospitable welcome from the
Bolivians. They were always willing to lend us a hand, to integrate us into their customs
and to invite us to their homes and to their parties. [...] In short, it is difficult to find the
kindness that we experienced there anywhere else, and I believe that it is important to
"export" this virtue to our country. Initially, this friendship was a characteristic that was
very surprising for us, as my way of thinking made me consider that there could be
some hidden motive which led them to be so hospitable. However, I gradually realized
that this is just the way they are. » J.LL.
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[...]«Knowing how to listen is one of the key aspects that I have improved on
being a "consultant" in this internship. Listening is often the key which helps you
to decipher the problem, and to propose a solution, as the people you are
dealing with are already defining the problem. The problem is that they do not
know how to express it in writing and to begin to seek a solution.
However, and despite the improvement in many of our professional skills, I
believe that, above all, we have experienced a strong emotional impact, as we
have seen things that we could not even imagine, such as an undernourished
child in Jayaque or the large quantity of children going barefoot in the streets of
many towns, without forgetting the children who are only ten or twelve years old
and who are already working in small businesses. This makes you aware of
how fortunate we are, and of how lucky we are to belong to probably the 1% of
the population with the most resources of the planet. Therefore, if we do not do
anything to change this situation, who will?» M.G.
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