Olivia's United Nations Internship

(If you would like to donate to me directly, as GoFundMe takes a certain percentage of donations, please email me at [email redacted])

Hello - thanks for landing on my page. My name is Olivia Matthews and I have very recently completed my Master of International Public Policy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. I have recently been selected to partake in a United Nations Internship position abroad. I've accepted an internship at the International Organization For Migration in Accra, Ghana. I'm looking forward to working on pressing issues concerning irregular migration, IDPs, refugees, migrant workers, and counter-trafficking.

I've often struggled critically with the concepts of working abroad and with unpaid internships. However, I believe the most ethical way to experience new cultures is by staying for an extended period of time which is exactly what drew me to this opportunity. I am deeply passionate about issues concerning migration and gender and I have spent the year researching these themes and their practical applications. Further, I aspire to continue to work in international policy and development abroad and in Canada, and I believe these future goals require a thoughtful and ethical experience in the Global South where I can use the skills I have learned in my Master's and professional life. My two rules of thumb are 1) do no harm and 2) only do work abroad that you would trust yourself doing in your home country. I think the United Nations is the best experience for someone like me as I truly believe in their mission and values.

While I am dedicated to their mission, the unpaid nature of these internships (as the intern must cover the flight, accommodations and basic necessities themselves) requires me to swallow my pride and ask for your help in fundraising. I've set my goal to fundraise close to $5000 as I believe that will be around half of my expenses for my time away but any figure you are willing to contribute would mean the world.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my journey. If you have any questions at all, I would be happy to answer them - even if you're just curious about the internship!

With many thanks,

Olivia