Interning at UNICEF
Reflections on experiences and growth
- Available in:
- 中文
- English
We wanted to take a moment to thank the students who joined UNICEF as interns in 2019. Here is a collection of memories from their work.
If you are an eligible student who is interested in interning with us, you can find out more about how to apply below.
Jiang Wenjia – intern with the WASH programme, UNICEF Zimbabwe
“Interning at UNICEF provides good opportunities to grow an international network, to explore different countries, to learn about how international organizations operate, and to help people in humanitarian situations.”
Jiang Wenjia first became interested in children’s rights when he was ten years old after he learned about them from his primary school teacher. While interning with UNICEF in Zimbabwe, Wenjia saw first-hand how important it is to adapt to the cultures, climates, and social norms of other countries. Over the time he was in Zimbabwe, he learned some basic Shona and Ndebele, which helped him build rapport with people, especially in the field. Inspired by his experience in Zimbabwe, Wenjia made an effort to learn some Swahili and travelled to Tanzania, to climb Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro.
Pan Guangyi – intern with South South Cooperation and Partnerships (SSCP), UNICEF China
“With the wide cooperation network, interning at UNICEF gives me a broader view to see the diverse roles of NGOs and how they relate to UN agencies.”
Pan Guangyi first learned about children’s rights while studying international law. Interning at UNICEF helped Guangyi go beyond the textbooks to see how international organizations work. During his internship at the China office he applied his graphic design skills to design a handbook for overseas interns. This helped Pan Guangyi develop his design skills, as he helped share stories and information about child development around the world.
Gao Xuedan – intern with Communications, UNICEF Myanmar
“The biggest lesson I learned in Myanmar is to foster a mindset to contribute to society. Colleagues, local friends and expatriates showed me simple ways to contribute to the local community.”
Gao Xuedan developed a deeper understanding of the importance of children’s rights while interning with UNICEF in Myanmar. During the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), she helped run a photo competition on social media to spread public awareness about children’s rights. The winning photos were displayed at the national summit of the CRC, and the competition engaged with thousands of people on Facebook. Xuedan believes the internship helped identify her skills and interests, at an early stage of her career.