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by Julie Egers
June, 1999
Like many students approaching the final stage of graduate studies,
I found myself reflecting on the relevance of my degree to pressing
issues within today's global society. While I had previously explored
my interest in labour issues as they relate to persons with disabilities
at the local , provincial and national level, I felt I was lacking
an international perspective.
Beginning in March, 1998, I had the pleasure of taking part in
an international work internship with the Global Applied
Disability Research and Information Network on Employment and
Training(GLADNET)which was partially sponsored by
the Human Resources Development Canada’s Youth International
Program. During my eleven months abroad, it became increasingly
apparent that I was being enriched from my international work
experience and that I was in fact obtaining a meaningful university
degree.
During the first six months of the internship, I was based in
the Netherlands where I provided direct support to GLADNET and
the World Association of Supported Employment (WASE). For the
most part, my time was spent identifying research, policies, practices
and funding sources from various parts of the world promoting
employment and training opportunities for persons with disabilities.
I was also involved in promoting collaboration and information
exchange amongst NGO's and service providers from around the world
implementing the Supported Employment methodology. It struck me
during these months that information truly is key to social change.
Hence, as a professional in the field of community rehabilitation,
I believe it is my responsibility to persevere in surmounting
the numerous obstacles to making information accessible to diverse
audiences as well as to individuals residing in remote parts of
the world.
During the remaining portion of my internship, I worked in Geneva,
Switzerland within the International Labour
Organisation (ILO). This was an international internship in every
sense of the word. Not only was I based in an organisation with
member states from all parts of the world, but I was living and
working in a multicultural environment. The greater portion of
my time was spent providing direct support to GLADNET. I feel
most fortunate to have acquired experience in considering governments',
NGO's, employers' organisations', trade unions' and the community's
involvement in promoting employment and training opportunities
for persons with disabilities. A further benefit of this portion
of my internship was that I acquired exposure to the activities
and priorities of the United Nations (UN) and other UN affiliated
organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO).
On a more personal level, I can not emphasize enough the incredible
insight that is acquired into who you are as a person when living
and working abroad. Being stripped of most of your material possessions
and support networks as well as your familiar environment, customs
and routines can at times be humbling. You are so dependent on
and appreciative of the kindness of others. For this reason, one
of my biggest lessons over the past eleven months has been the
value of friendship.
During my time abroad, I had the opportunity to become acquainted
with and to establish friendships with truly incredible people.
I was also struck by the overwhelming support and kind words I
continuously received from friends and family at home.
Now that my internship has drawn to a close, I am seeing just
how much I have gained, professionally and personally, from my
experiences abroad. While things are never quite the same when
you return home, you are more aware of the positive aspects of
your familiar environment. You set out to incorporate the positive
aspects of your journeys abroad into your life at home and begin
dreaming of the future journeys that lye ahead.
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