Congratulations to Erika Ehrenberg on completing her internship with UNHCR Canada! Supported by LERRN, Erika spent the past four months as an intern in the Durable Solutions Unit at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Canada. We’re excited to share her insights and reflections on this experience.
As an MA student in Migration and Diaspora Studies, the classroom provides space to explore the theoretical foundations of migration-related topics, including forced migration and resettlement. Applying these foundations within a major organization in the global refugee regime offered an unparalleled learning experience that exposed me to new perspectives and challenged my thinking. Being part of UNHCR from September to December 2025 was particularly instructive, as it coincided with major funding cuts and workforce reductions that placed significant strain on staff across the organization.
Through conversations with UNHCR staff, reviewing cases and policy documents, and participating in meetings with partners such as IRCC and other resettlement organizations, I gained insight into the practical dimensions of resettlement and how they both challenge and uphold ideas from migration literature. Beyond knowledge and practical skills, the internship expanded my professional network and connected me with key actors in the resettlement sector. I credit this experience with establishing relationships that will support my future research and career.
Reflecting on the end of my internship, I feel privileged to have worked with UNHCR Canada. The internship had a profound impact on my academic and professional trajectory, as well as my position within the resettlement sector.
LERRN is proud to support students like Erika in gaining practical experience that bridges academic research with meaningful contributions in the forced migration sector.