Six undergraduate students in the Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management (B.PAPM) program at Arthur Kroeger College have just returned from working with the Peruvian NGO Nexos Voluntarios in Urubamba in the high Andes of Peru. Imaan Sandhu, Marianne Poirier, Victoria MacArthur, Carly Hayes, Erika Malich and Antona Christus-Ranjan worked on an anti-racism campaign on which Kroeger students have worked since 2011.
Marianne Poirier shares her experience with us below.
“While volunteering as a policy intern at Nexos Voluntarios, I was a member of the team responsible for conducting qualitative research on discriminatory practices that occur within the school system. Specifically, we conducted a case study at a school in rural Peru, employing interviews, questionnaires, and observations as a means of data collection. With the collected data, we produced an analytical report that outlined our findings and offered recommendations regarding the elimination of discrimination.
One of the most important learning experiences that I had during this internship was a general observation about the research process when one is operating in the field. I learned that the logistics of qualitative research are often challenging and data collection does not usually stay on schedule. We often faced difficulties in conducting our interviews or distributing questionnaires because there was a miscommunication or a change of plans regarding school schedules and appointments. From this experience, I have learned that conducting qualitative research, or any research for that matter, must be appropriated a significant amount of time, more than assessed as necessary, in order to ensure for adequate coding and analysis.
I believe that this experience has allowed me to gain a variety of skills on both a professional and personal basis. I have improved my ability to conduct field research and gained a more thorough understanding of the logistics of field research. Due to the highly cooperative nature of the project, I have also developed an ability to collaborate on an analytical report, synthesizing the thoughts and observations of eight individuals into a cohesive piece. On a more personal note, I have improved my Spanish language skills.
The most important piece of advice that I would give to any future participants is to improve their Spanish skills as much as possible prior to arrival. Not only does this foster communication and interaction with the local people, enhancing their personal experience, but it also improves an individual’s capacity to contribute to the work of the team. Secondly, I would recommend that participants read about the history of Peru beforehand, allowing for a more thorough understanding of the cultural context that they are entering.”
To learn how you can apply for a similar experience with Arthur Kroeger College, visit http://www1.carleton.ca/akcollege/2011/intern-in-peru-through-kroeger-college-2