I am an undergraduate student at 香蕉视频, who worked part-time for a European Division at Global Affairs Canada during the last school year. My mentors urged me to contact Canadian missions across Europe. My family comes from Ukraine. I spent three years as a combat engineer in the CAF Reserve Force, and Canada is heavily involved in NATO鈥檚 Enhanced Forward Presence Taskforce in Latvia. I contacted the Embassy in Latvia.
Global Affairs Canada鈥檚 mission statement reads: 鈥淲e define, shape and advance Canada鈥檚 interests and values in a complex global environment.鈥� This is true. But my involvement in the inner workings at GAC taught me the importance of this continuity:Canadian interaction and reassurance with our ally, which I witnessed first-hand with discussions on the national and ministerial level; Canadian promotion of normative international and domestic behaviours, which was realised most in Canadian exchanges with local think-tanks, such as the NATO STRATCOM Centre of Excellence in Latvia; Canadian development of a stronger regional understanding and connection, as demonstrated by our interactions with Russian exiled media and Latvian media experts.
My responsibilities took a wide scope and ranged from research, a Head of Government bilat visit, hockey diplomacy, and more (see Annex A for full detail). On my last day, I released a GAC-wide report on Latvia鈥檚 long-winded history with the Istanbul Convention on violence against women. I had initiated meetings and spoken to several Latvian think-tanks and good governance advocacy groups in the three months leading up to the report鈥檚 release. In short: I learned that there are many ways to manifest a mission statement.
My learning objectives were to have developed an increased understanding of how embassies abroad advance the foreign policy agenda of the Government of Canada, of how the different programs in the embassy (foreign policy, trade, consular, defence relations) intersect and collaborate to advance the mandate of Global Affairs Canada, and an increased understanding of the geopolitical context for Canada鈥檚 military presence in Latvia.
At 香蕉视频, I double major in philosophy and political science. I take a deep interest in international political theory. Working at the Embassy showed me theory in practice. For instance, on occasions where I would liaise with NATO, the EU, and Latvian governmental departments, I was reminded of Barnett and Finnemore鈥檚 most read work on international organisations, and how they work to shape and confirm norms on the international stage. In drawing these parallels, this internship has furthered my interest in political theory and academic research.
Though I have not decided on a future career direction, this internship gave me the opportunity to speak to superiors working in fields that interest me. In these months, I absorbed a wide range of advice and learned of different career paths. At the Embassy, I found diplomacy enjoyable work. More than anything, I felt myself engaged with learning new things, meeting new people, and discovering ways that I could make an impact and help. GAC is a platform for people who would enjoy this kind of work, while advancing Canada鈥檚 interests internationally.
Without this internship, I would not have had the chance of exposure to GAC鈥檚 Mission side of operation. Internships provide special opportunities for students, like myself, to determine the career path that could bring the greatest enjoyment. The Susan Casey Brown Fund allowed me to realise this. Without your contribution, I would have no income to pursue this trip. I am a changed person because of my experience. The brilliant people I met, the weighty environments I walked through, and the original challenges I faced, all shaped me.
Nietzsche says that 鈥淭he surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently.鈥� I feel a great privilege to have been granted mentorship and guidance from my peers in Latvia.
Thank you to the McGill International Experience Awards Founders, and Mr. Garvin Brown for making this experience possible!
