I would like to begin by extending my sincere thanks to Mr. George Currie for the McDonald Currie Fund for International Management and Development Internship Award. The support pf the McDonald Currie Fund for International Management and Development Internship Award made this experience possible. I am a French and Mexican student currently entering my third year at 91丝瓜视频, pursuing a Joint Honours degree in Political Science and Russian Studies. My academic interests lie in comparative politics and humanitarian affairs鈥攆ields that fuel my desire to work toward equitable global development.
I applied to intern at the United Nations World Food Programme鈥檚 Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office (WFP LACRO) to gain a behind-the-scenes look at a major international organization. I wanted my first professional experience to connect directly to my studies while helping me build concrete skills, particularly in software and communications. I chose a placement in Latin America because of my deep personal connection to the region: I grew up in Mexico, Peru, and Panama, I am half-Peruvian and was born in Mexico, and I鈥檝e spoken Spanish since birth. I owe much of who I am to the continent鈥攁nd have also witnessed its inequities firsthand. This internship was a chance to give back while learning from those working to make meaningful change.
The World Food Programme is the world鈥檚 largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and food security. The LACRO office, based in Panama City, coordinates operations across the region, supporting country offices in delivering emergency assistance, improving nutrition, and building resilience among vulnerable populations. LACRO also provides technical support, guidance, and oversight across a wide array of areas such as communications, logistics, security, and nutrition. The WFP鈥檚 motto is Saving Lives and Changing Lives, in accordance with their urgent relief operations like emergency distribution of rations, as well as their preventive measures such as programs for sustainable farming.
As a Communications Unit Intern, I collaborated with both regional and country teams to amplify WFP鈥檚 humanitarian outreach in diverse contexts. My tasks included:
- Translating strategic materials such as stories, reports, presentations, into Spanish, English, and French (for Haiti)
- Curating multilingual content for WFP鈥檚 webpage, LinkedIn, and X
- Designing visual assets using Adobe Illustrator and InDesign
- Creating presentations analyzing digital engagement using Brandwatch and Google Analytics
- Drafting internal documents, transcribing interviews, and contributing to case studies
- Coordinating the Weekly Outlook, a regional newsletter summarizing operational updates
Beyond my unit, I also supported teams in Security, Nutrition, and Technology. I designed geo-maps for Colombia to help prevent overlap with zones controlled by non-state armed groups, created visuals comparing nutritional adequacy across regional food rations, and even photographed equipment for internal logistics documentation. These tasks gave me a panoramic view of WFP鈥檚 operations and the scale of coordination behind every success story.
My biggest challenges were technical and structural. Learning new software like Illustrator, Brandwatch, and GIS tools was daunting at first, but I gradually developed fluency with the help of patient colleagues and self-learning. Another adjustment was understanding the organizational hierarchy: from country offices to the regional bureau to WFP headquarters in Rome. Navigating that structure helped me appreciate the complex communication flows and the balance between autonomy and oversight in large organizations.
My background in Political Science, especially in comparative politics and humanitarian affairs, allowed me to quickly grasp the goals and challenges of regional humanitarian programs. Familiarity with Latin American history and politics, combined with my fluency in Spanish, helped me navigate the social and political contexts behind the reports and projects I worked on. The internship also added a new dimension to my academic path by showing how theoretical principles translate into institutional action.
This internship confirmed my desire to work in Latin America and to pursue a career in humanitarian or advocacy work. While I may not remain in Communications specifically, I hope to contribute to the design and implementation of programs that improve lives and build resilience. In a sector facing uncertainty, I鈥檓 more determined than ever to be part of a new generation of humanitarians who push for change with purpose and integrity. This experience gave me clarity, confidence, and connections I will carry forward.
The McDonald Currie Fund for International Management and Development Internship Award made this internship financially feasible. The award covered essential expenses including airfare, rent, and meals, allowing me to focus fully on my work without added financial stress. I am deeply grateful for this support. Thank you to the 91丝瓜视频 Arts Internship Office, and most of all Mr. George Currie for their generous support. Your contribution made this formative experience possible!
