The Isla Experience
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Mira Tan - Miami University of Ohio
This Isla internship experience with Kosovo Women's Network (KWN) has been really educational, I really believe that this experience was invaluable and there wouldn’t be any place in America that I could have learned as much as I did here. Also, as an intern, I was able to actually experience things first hand, like the Break the Silence: Ending Violence Behind Walls exhibition, instead of being forced to stay in the office all day and just do random paperwork.
Working closely with KWN’s staff I had an opportunity to get a hands-on experience on what a feminist movement looks like, how it works and most crucially its impact toward improving and promoting the rights and the interests of women and girls. I really do appreciate this experience and I hope that I can come back one day to continue to collaborate with KWN.. Read more here.
Working closely with KWN’s staff I had an opportunity to get a hands-on experience on what a feminist movement looks like, how it works and most crucially its impact toward improving and promoting the rights and the interests of women and girls. I really do appreciate this experience and I hope that I can come back one day to continue to collaborate with KWN.. Read more here.
Cody Vandergrift - Miami University of Ohio
Dear Isla,
Thank you all so much for your help in and out of the program. Without you all at Isla we would not have been able to experience Kosovo the way that all of us students have. I truly believe that with the help of Isla , our experiences have been elevated.
Samantha Mercado - Hofstra University
The experience provided by Isla internships was life changing for me. I was given the same job as an entry level global health program director and was asked to rise to the task. At the time I was a college student applying to grad schools for a Masters in public health. I had very little experience working in global health however, I took free classes online (recommended to me by the Isla Executive Director) and did months of preparation to get myself ready to give the best impact possible. In 90 days I successfully completed my task but it took all the time I could possibly give. I worked weekends and nights preparing materials and reading up on new research for my program. With all that said, I wouldn't have had it any other way! If you are serious about jumpstarting your career, this is a great place to do it.
Jaclyn Williamson - Colorado State University, Colorado School of Public Health
I am a graduate student of the Colorado School of Public Health currently earning my Master's in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Global Health and Health Disparities. This summer I was hired as a Global Health Development Intern with the Foundation for Community Development and Empowerment (FCDE) through the Isla internship program. I was based in the FCDE Office of Kasese, Uganda. In this position, I provided strategic support in grant preparation, program development and implementation, and NGO capacity building to a network of four FCDE-Isla local partner organizations (LPOs) combating global health issues. I was responsible for creating, conducting, and analyzing the results of multiple needs assessments across varying target populations to assess social, behavioral, environmental, cultural, and biological factors contributing to health outcomes. I also prepared an FCDE-Isla Seed Grant
proposal to secure funding for multiple projects associated with global health, including HIV/AIDS antiretroviral treatment adherence, mosquito net use and malaria prevention, sexual reproductive health, rights, and services, and Hepatitis B awareness and testing.
I was most drawn to Uganda because I desired to work on global health issues and international development. As a Global Health Development intern, I gained experience in real-world applications of program planning, implementation, and evaluation, in an international setting.
The overarching lesson of my time in Uganda is the importance of utilizing human resources and human capital, and being adaptable to cultures so different from your own. My success in my projects in Uganda relied entirely upon trusting and allowing the influence from the affected and target communities that I hoped to reach. I attribute the success of my projects to the Ugandan natives who welcomed me into their lives and gave me an entirely new perspective on global health issues. If I had the opportunity to intern with Isla again, I would extend my internship beyond the 8-weeks I was able to work this summer. I would definitely plan to stay the entire 10-weeks or beyond!
proposal to secure funding for multiple projects associated with global health, including HIV/AIDS antiretroviral treatment adherence, mosquito net use and malaria prevention, sexual reproductive health, rights, and services, and Hepatitis B awareness and testing.
I was most drawn to Uganda because I desired to work on global health issues and international development. As a Global Health Development intern, I gained experience in real-world applications of program planning, implementation, and evaluation, in an international setting.
The overarching lesson of my time in Uganda is the importance of utilizing human resources and human capital, and being adaptable to cultures so different from your own. My success in my projects in Uganda relied entirely upon trusting and allowing the influence from the affected and target communities that I hoped to reach. I attribute the success of my projects to the Ugandan natives who welcomed me into their lives and gave me an entirely new perspective on global health issues. If I had the opportunity to intern with Isla again, I would extend my internship beyond the 8-weeks I was able to work this summer. I would definitely plan to stay the entire 10-weeks or beyond!
MARGARET RICE - YALE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
" I think this Isla internship experience we a good exercise in setting attainable and achievable expectations and achieving them in a short-time frame. In addition to fulfilling a summer internship requirement for my master's degree program in public health, this experience provided valuable experience and knowledge working in a global health context."
Gianna Pray - California Polytechnic State University
The experience in Uganda, especially in Rukungiri, opened my eyes to the potentiality that exists within us. Spending time with individuals while relating and truly feeling for one another shared moments that continue to inspire me to grow towards a higher calling. This experience showed me the possibilities that exist based on our day to day choices. Life is a gift, and we need to learn to not take it for granted. The pace of life created a balance within myself, to trust my instincts and raw intuition. Sharing moments with others in the present is crucial for an enlightened state of mind as well. I am thankful to have planted a practice during my experience in Uganda and to see the growth each day.
Elyssa Dukatz - California Polytechnic State University
This Isla internship has completely influenced what I believe I want to pursue after graduation. Whether I pursue a full-time job, long term internship or decide to continue me education in graduate school, I believe I will seek opportunities in international business development and organizations that support positive international development. The experience I have gained is immeasurable and I am hopeful that this internship has prepared me for the next steps in my professional career.
Gabriel Witt - California Polytechnic State University
There have been so many highlights, but there are two that stand out. One was when I was invited to go do outreach in a rural mountain village to do physiotherapy on children who have disabilities. We fit them for their new all-terrain wheel chairs and while the team were installing them. I was able to do physical therapy with the children. The other main highlight is when I completed my project. I completely remodeled the clinic, purchased clinical needs, and created the PainFree program, which will financially assist patients for a few years. This will therefore cause the clinic to be sustainable.
JARED NUNES - CALIFORNIA POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY
This internship has allowed me to get first-hand experience in a field that is built upon working towards helping others, which drove me towards this internship in the first place. I have learned an exponential amount about organizational structure and effective/non effective ways of running an organization. The exposure I received through this internship is one that does not come often to students, and I was able to take a hold of it. In the end, this internship really motivated me to do more with my education for the purpose of others. I still have the drive to be further involved with nonprofit organizations in the future, in whatever opportunity comes my way. However, right now it is unclear to me about how I can further my experience in international development. This internship did spark the thought, though, getting involved in this field in the future.
Micah Bintz - Rochester Institute of Technology, Kosovo
The highlight of my Isla internship experience in Uganda was meeting an array of different people and exploring new worlds inside and out.
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IBETh Morales - University of kentucky, patterson school of diplomacy AND INTERNATIONAL COMMERCE
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By doing this internship, I learned a lot about the Balkans; a region that I didn't have much knowledge about. By having the opportunity to meet the local people there was like opening a window into the past and getting to know the history of Kosovo through my own eyes.
Meeting the local people and internationals that work there, that are trying to make a difference was very inspiring and a hope that Kosovo will grow stronger. Perhaps, one of the most important highlight about this internship was to learn how to value the impermanence of things, enjoy every moment and making some friends far away from home. Before going to Kosovo, I knew that I wanted to be involved in development or international diplomacy. This internship just reaffirmed my passions for these areas as it showed me that making a difference really matters for those whose life you are going to be touching. |
Bridgit Wright - The University of Iowa
BRIDGIT WRIGHT - UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
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The highlight of my internship in Kosovo was meeting such amazing people. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and be exposed to more than I could have ever asked for. The different political, social, and cultural aspects of Kosovo amazed me and I am so blessed to have lived there for 9 weeks. From individuals I met on the street to all my amazing co-workers at my host organization to the tremendous love and support from Isla, I am eternally grateful. Kosovo is filled with open arms, curiosity, and love. I am so glad that I chose to intern in Kosovo because I have gained friends for a lifetime. |
MELISSA TRIANA - UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
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MELISSA TRIANA - UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
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I am so happy to be part of the global health community, this academic path began with my background as a nurse Pontificia Universidad Javeriana where my clinical experience opened up a world of possibilities and led me to be a Master in Global Health University of Miami where I have seen the incredible interdisciplinary work. Thank you Isla Internships Abroad for giving me the possibility to come to Kosovo and to offer me a customized internship according to my interests and thank you Action for Mothers and Children for being my host organization. There is much more to experience! MELISSA TRIANA |
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