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Three UCalgary students are currently interning at the University for Peace in Costa Rica. The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program (QES) engages a dynamic community of young global leaders across the world to create lasting impact both at home and abroad through cross-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences.

Christina Maida-Cook, Bachelor of Arts, International Relations and Political Science (3rd Year)

Internship position: Research assistant/grants writer intern

Q: Describe your internship position and activities.

A: As a research assistant and grants writer, I spend most days aiding the Peace and Conflict Studies Department in both their day-to-day and long-term research projects. Currently, we are working on a paper on LGBTQI migrants in Central America using an intersectional theoretical lens. I have aided in research for various presentations and panels throughout my time here.

I am also involved in researching grants for various projects undertaken by the department using governmental and philanthropic grant databases. During this process, I have created a grant schedule for reoccurring grants.

Q: How would you describe the QES experience and benefits of this opportunity?

A: The QES experience has been fantastic! I have been able to expand my knowledge of grant writing and research. I am excited about the opportunity to be a co-author on a paper. I have also enjoyed meeting so many people from around the world. As it was created by the UN, the University for Peace is a very multicultural institution.

Q: Have you picked up any new intercultural skills?

A: Living and working internationally in such a unique environment has really developed my ability to interact interculturally. At UPeace, you can be talking to someone from Costa Rica, Germany, Japan, and Nigeria all at the same time. I have found it has been great to sit back and listen to people share their stories and ideas, with all of us meeting in the middle so that we are all seen in each conversation.

Q: Would you recommend this experience to others?

A: I would 100 per cent recommend this experience to any student. It is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity to be at such a unique and diverse campus surrounded by the Costa Rican rainforest.

Yi Chen, Bachelor of Science (Electrical Engineering) and Bachelor of Commerce (5th year)

Internship position: Project management office intern

Q: Describe your internship position and activities.

A: I am a project management office intern at UPeace. I help with developing long-term fundraising strategies for UPeace and also looking for potential funding opportunities. I also advise on the solar panel project and give technical suggestions on how to improve building energy efficiency on campus.

Q: How would you describe the QES experience and benefits of this opportunity?

A: It is an eye-opening experience. I’ve met students from all over the world at UPeace and have learnt from the diversity. I am always ready to learn from my peers at UPeace and listen to their viewpoints of the world. As an engineering student, I did not have many opportunities to engage in a conversation about politics or culture but here at UPeace I do. I was often inspired by UPeace students and by their passion. I have also learnt more about the UN and its subsidiaries from my work.

Q: Have you picked up any new intercultural skills?

A: Spanish! I started to pick up some Spanish words and basic greetings since I moved to Costa Rica. Learning a new language opens up the door to learn about another culture and now I am still trying to push the door open.

Q: Would you recommend this experience to others?

A: Yes 100 per cent. Working in another country will broaden your horizons, push yourself to jump out of comfort zones and see a new world.

Myles Fischer, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science (3rd year)

Internship position: Intern with Chair on Countering Illicit Trade and Preventing Transnational Organized Crime

Q: Describe your internship position and activities.

A: I am working with the Chair on Countering Illicit Trade and Preventing Transnational Organized Crime at UPeace. My work consists of gathering and analyzing data related to the United Nations’ Ad Hoc Committee to Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes. The data which I have gathered and analyzed is to be used for a paper to be submitted for publication.

Q: How would you describe the QES experience and benefits of this opportunity?

A: QES has been a great opportunity for me to gain research experience, something that will become invaluable when I am applying for master’s programs this fall. In terms of personal growth, QES has provided me with a great opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone. If a few months ago, you told me that I would be living and working in Costa Rica, there’s no way I would have believed you. I could not have imagined myself stepping outside of my Calgary bubble. But now that I am here, I could not imagine my life without having come to Costa Rica. QES has given me the confidence to travel alone and to travel places I could have never imagined myself going.

Q: Have you picked up any new intercultural skills?

A: Living in Costa Rica has been an excellent opportunity to practise my Spanish language skills. Having gone to a Spanish bilingual school growing up, I used to be able to speak Spanish quite well. However, since high school graduation I have not been speaking Spanish regularly. Living in Costa Rica has been a great opportunity to refresh and improve my Spanish skills.

Q: Would you recommend this experience to others?

A: QES Costa Rica is a program I would highly recommend for anyone else looking to step outside of their comfort zone to gain invaluable career and personal development experience.

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Scholarships are available

UCalgary students are encouraged to apply for QES internship positions available for winter and spring 2023. Learn more about the program and apply.