Report

Participation in the Coca-Cola World Citizen Program gave me excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth. During the three months period, I had the opportunity to learn about new work philosophies and methodologies, and compare them with my own experience. I learned about UNICEF's administrative structure, work plans and programs, its achievements and disappointments, its strengths and limitations. Most importantly, I improved my Portuguese and my people skills. In addition, I am now familiar with the work systems of NGO’s in specific parts of Africa, a primary objective of my participation in the Program.

Although I performed very simple tasks, the exposure to a radically different work environment and social reality trained me in decision making, communication skills, and stress management. These elements are all required to achieve success in any career. In addition, I practiced some sociological knowledge related to research methodology and data management.

I learned from Mozambican people about their culture, and social problems. I familiarized myself with important local issues. For example, the extreme poverty, inequality, AIDS, corruption of the political system, collapse of social services, unemployment, lack of opportunities, and problems with food security. But, I could also enjoy the country’s beauty exemplified in its energetic, talented and optimistic youth, its warm culture, and its amazing landscape. I acquired similar knowledge and appreciation for the neighboring countries of Swaziland and South Africa.

Some negative aspects of the internship were mostly work-related. And I can mention other difficulties I experienced, these linked with my gender, race and nationality. But even these experiences increased my knowledge about the world and about myself, and I regard these as incentive for spiritual growth.

Although the negative aspects seem severe, they were not experienced as such. I believe I handled them with intelligence, care and diplomacy. This is why they had little impact in my overall positive view of the internship. This is also why these problems did not lead me towards the roads of frustration. Besides, when I think of the language skills I acquired, the relationships I made, the managerial skills I exercised, the knowledge about Africa and myself I gained, the new world views I brought with me, and the memories of places and friendships, I have to conclude that the internship represented a win-win opportunity.

My internship was, therefore, intense, rich and beautiful in all aspects. I will highly recommend students and friends to participate next year.

Photo Gallery

I relax (center) with Zulu women and children in Durban.

Visiting an arts and craft fair at a Zulu village.

With my co-workers and best friends from the Institute of Statistics (UNICEF's partner).

Weapons collected after the civil war are turned into in a work of art.