As a Joint Honours student in Political Science and International Development, I am passionate about understanding the complexities of governance, security, and international cooperation. My main field of interest lies in the interrelation between international relations and security: how international relations shape security issues, and how the level of security provides states with tools to maneuver in the global arena. During my last two years at McGill, the courses that interested me the most were POLI 452, a class on conflict simulation (wargaming), and POLI 355, a course on international law. These courses allowed me to explore how international organizations, state actors, and non-state entities interact to address security challenges.
The arrival of the Belem transporting the Olympic flame from our office.
This interest motivated me to intern at the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean Sea, specifically in the Olympic Games office, in preparation for this upcoming international event. This organization is a branch of the French Navy located in Toulon, France. It is responsible for overseeing maritime safety and security in the Mediterranean region. Its mission includes ensuring the safe navigation of vessels, protecting the marine environment, and coordinating maritime rescue operations. In preparation for the upcoming Olympic Games, my office was tasked with planning the security of the nautical competitions and the ceremonial arrival of the Olympic flame in Marseille.
My learning objectives were to develop a hands-on understanding of security policy implementation, enhance my knowledge of the professional world, and contribute to projects that address current international security challenges. The Olympic Games are a major event with substantial implications for international relations, and I aimed to gain practical experience in this field.
The gendarmerie’s office during the Olympic flame parade on May 8th.
As an Intern at the Maritime Prefecture of the Mediterranean Sea, I had tasks related to the preparation of the nautical competitions and the arrival of the Olympic flame at Marseille. My responsibilities included coordinating and visiting with local maritime authorities, assisting in designing and disseminating regulations, compiling, and synthesizing data for security briefings, managing communications between different services, and supporting the coordination of safety measures. Some of the main highlights of my internship were assisting in the successful arrival of the Olympic flame, where I ensured compliance with flag colour codes by contacting boat owners participating in the parade directly through VHF to ensure they followed the safety protocols. I learned new skills and had direct contact with the people participating in the parade we organized. Moreover, I produced a video documenting the Olympic Flame parade, which was showcased at all PARIS 2024 security meetings, in front of more than 150 people to lift spirits and make everyone realize how well the event went. This had a significant impact, and I was even thanked by Cédric Dufoix, Director of the Olympic Games of PARIS 2024 in all of Southern France. Finally, my best accomplishment was authoring the memoir of Jean-Pierre Churet, enabling him to obtain the medal of Knight of the Order of Maritime Merit. I developed a real connection with Jean-Pierre, and he will likely receive his Medal of Honor next year.
During my internship, I faced some challenges that tested my adaptability. Initially, navigating the formalities and protocols within
On-site exercise of security forces pretending to arrest a boat unauthorized in the area.
the structured and hierarchical environment of the French Navy was difficult. Learning the precise codes of politeness specific to Navy culture was essential but also not very natural for me. Additionally, deciphering the multitude of acronyms used in communications was another hurdle. These acronyms were very common in all emails and discussions, requiring me to be patient and seek clarification whenever necessary. Asserting myself to such a hierarchical organization as an intern was also a challenge. To overcome this, I focused on demonstrating my capabilities through diligent work and proactive engagement in meetings and projects to earn recognition.
This internship confirmed my desire to work in the security domain. I enjoyed learning about security protocols and the operational aspects of organizing security forces. Furthermore, it convinced me to aim for a job related to event organizing and communication, as I realized these were the tasks I enjoyed the most as an intern.
In the boat of the Maritime Affairs to distribute safety regulations to the island of Frioul.
I want to thank the Dean of Arts, Lisa Shapiro, as none of this would have been possible without the award. Indeed, the Dean of Arts Development Fund allowed me to pay for my plane tickets for the internship and financed many of my meals and the frequent trips I made to Marseille for my internship. It alleviated a financial burden and allowed me to enjoy this experience to the fullest!
