NGO Work Abroad
By: Lilian Zhang, CAS ’22
Lilian compiling information for international grants on behalf of Mensajeros while waiting for her staining protocol at her wet lab to complete.
Mensajeros de La Paz – Argentina
This summer, I have the privilege of working with an NGO that connects underprivileged communities with resources in a variety of ways — Mensajeros de la Paz. Although the organization was founded in Spain, it has now reached international frontiers. Some of the projects that I look forward to getting involved in includes connecting with the local community and extending resources for teens in critical familial situations and undocumented immigrants — whether that be through providing them with documentation, connecting them with shelters, or providing awareness education through an online format. Additionally, I will be translating Mensajero’s website from Spanish to English to increase the organization’s visibility and accessibility, compiling international resources, and applying for grants on behalf of the organization.
Through VIA, I was able to connect both my interests in medicine and public health with my love of languages and in particular my fondness for cultures and traditions in Latin America. Although the internship is remote, our host organization has given us numerous resources to learn about the customs and traditions of Argentina. I’ve gained an appreciation for yerba mate, for traditional Argentinian folk music, and a deeper insight into the growth of trap music within the youth culture of Argentina. All of this was a welcome surprise, as I never anticipated that such elements would be retained in a virtual setting.
Additionally, this internship is a truly unique opportunity for me to work in a completely Spanish-speaking environment. Though I was initially intimidated by the fact that I would have to deliver weekly reports to my team completely in Spanish, I found it rewarding to incorporate the knowledge and vocabulary that I had acquired through Spanish classes at Penn to discuss strategies and progress with native speakers in Argentina. From compiling resources for my team leader to Facetiming with my Argentinian coworkers after work, I find my Spanish abilities quickly improving in ways beyond what a classroom would ever be able to grant me.
This summer, I’m dedicating 15 hours/week to this internship, as I am currently working in a wet lab and preparing for the MCAT. Had this internship been in person or been completely full time, I would not have been able to incorporate this invaluable learning experience into my summer. I’m looking forward to the rest of my time with Mensajeros, and am immensely grateful for the opportunity to do so even during a global pandemic.
The Virtual Internships Abroad (VIA) program provides self-directed and motivated Penn undergraduate students the opportunity to gain a fully funded professional work experience over the summer with a global employer, with the added convenience of working remotely.