What did you study at the Geneva Graduate Institute and how did it prepare you for your internship?

I recently completed my Master's in International and Development Studies (MINT) with a specialisation in Gender, Race and Diversity ('25). The programme gave me a strong analytical foundation in gender-responsive policy, results-based project design, and research methods. Particularly, the Designing and Implementing Development Projects workshop and the Applied Research Project (ARP) with SWISSAID Geneva provided practical tools that allowed me to hit the ground running. Perhaps the most valuable preparation was my thesis research, based on two months of fieldwork with a grassroots NGO in rural Maharashtra, India, which taught me how to work in complex, resource-constrained environments, engage sensitively with vulnerable communities, and translate research into actionable recommendations.

How did you learn about the IOM internship?

I discovered this opportunity on the Graduate Institute's Online Job Portal, through a newly established partnership between the Career Services team and IOM. This opened up an exclusive set of internship placements abroad, reserved for Institute students and eligible for the Movetia SEMP scholarship, which partially funded my experience, making it more financially viable. Out of the several IOM vacancies, I was immediately drawn to the Migration, Environment, Climate Change & Risk Reduction (MECR) position in Uganda, building on my previous experience at UNEP Geneva's Disasters and Conflict Branch and my interest in the intersection of climate change, displacement, and gender.

Can you tell us a bit about your time in Uganda with IOM? What did your internship entail?

I was based in the capital, Kampala, where I supported IOM Uganda's MECR unit: a small, dynamic team working at the intersection of climate vulnerability, human mobility, and durable solutions for displacement-affected communities. Uganda hosts approximately 2 million refugees, the largest refugee population in Africa, and is highly exposed to floods, landslides, and droughts, and IOM’s MECR portfolio sits at the heart of the country's response. Working under the direct supervision of the National Programme Officer, my responsibilities ranged from policy research and analysis on national climate and DRR frameworks to drafting donor proposals, concept notes, activity-based budgets, and M&E frameworks as well as coordinating inter-agency technical working groups. One piece of work I am particularly proud of is a gender analysis I produced for a climate energy proposal, examining the gender dimensions of clean cooking transitions and ensuring the programming was genuinely responsive to women's needs. Beyond the office, I also had the opportunity to join several field missions. My first was in the West Nile region (close to the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo) for Social Mobility Index data collection; the second was near the border with South Sudan for end-of-project monitoring; and the last and most significant was to the Nakivale Refugee Settlement (one of Africa’s oldest) in Mbarara, where I supported enumerator training, partner coordination, and field-level M&E activities.

What was it like to visit the field?

The field visits were without a doubt the most formative part of the experience. Going from drafting frameworks behind my office desk to sitting with communities in displacement contexts, listening to their personal experiences, revealed profound stories of resilience, which taught me more about this work than any office assignment ever could. It also reinforced something my dissertation research had already made clear: that the most important data is often the kind that doesn't fit neatly into an indicator. Communities living with displacement and climate shocks are rarely lacking in resilience or local knowledge; what they often lack is recognition and resources. That shift in perspective is important and something I aim to carry throughout my future work.

What are some of the ways you were able to translate the things you had learned as a student into practice in the field?

In a workshop class, I learned about Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Results-Based Management (RBM) frameworks, which I was able to put into practice when drafting real concept notes and proposals for donor submissions. The intersectional gender lens I developed through my specialisation shaped my everyday work and encouraged me to advocate for more gender-sensitive approaches. Moreover, the different research methods I studied at the Institute proved just as relevant during field data collection in Uganda, preparing me to think critically, write clearly, and engage rigorously with evidence. What surprised me most was how quickly I transitioned from student to practitioner, not because the work was easy but because the Institute had prepared me to be curious, adaptable, and intellectually honest in the face of complexity.

What advice would you give to students looking for similar experiences at the end of their studies?

It is natural to feel overwhelmed by the drastic funding cuts to the humanitarian and development sectors and the seemingly never-ending geopolitical chaos in today's world. Life as a young professional in this field is incredibly challenging, and it often feels like the odds are stacked against you. My advice is do not lose faith in your abilities and your experience; there is a reason you got to where you are, and do not let today's crises stop you from pursuing your goals.

Field postings can feel daunting, but the personal and professional growth they offer is incredibly valuable. Once you're there, say yes to every opportunity that comes your way: the field visits, the inter-agency meetings, and the tasks that fall slightly outside your job description. Those are where the real learning happens. Make use of the Institute’s resources, from Career Services to the Online Job Portal; the IOM internship I found there genuinely changed the direction of my career.

Despite everything happening in the world right now, I would wholeheartedly encourage students to keep pursuing this work. My experience didn't make things look simpler or easier, but it made my commitment stronger.

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