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Former interns - testimonials

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Former interns

Testimonials

Onika Adeneye

Interning at UNA-UK has been an amazing experience. Throughout my time here I have been well supported and have had the opportunity to work with a dedicated and passionate team. Over the past five months I have seen a lot of personal development and have gained skills which I hope will aid me in my future career. 

Onika has a BSc in International Relations and History from the London School of Economics, and volunteered as a Programme Development Intern at UNA-UK. She is going on to study a Masters in Latin American Politics.

Emil Ahmagic

Interning for UNA-UK has been a fantastic experience that has allowed me to polish essential office skills and get involved in the conversation on global issues. Being part of a small team has meant performing a lot of routine tasks, but I have come away with invaluable skills in external relations, database maintenance, time management and project planning, all on a part-time schedule. 

Emil volunteered as the Membership & Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Gabrielle Becking

Interning at UNA-UK has been a great experience. From day one I was given interesting projects that developed my skills. I enjoyed having the autonomy to direct my time as a Peace and Security Programme Intern and I have come away with a great number of things that I can now add to my CV.

Gabrielle has a BA in International Relations from Mount Holyoke College and a MA in Science and Security from King’s College London. Gabrielle was a Peace and Security Intern at UNA-UK.

Anders Brudevoll

Working at UNA-UK has been a very interesting experience which has given me valuable insight into the work and activities of the organisation. The positive working environment among the staff and the interns has contributed to a pleasant internship experience.

Anders has a BA in International Relations & Politics from London Metropolitan University, and volunteered as Programme Development Intern for UNA-UK. He went on to undertake an MA in Geopolitics, Territory & Security at King’s College.

Andreea Buligan Hurjui

My internship at UNA-UK was an exceptionally enriching experience on all levels. Having the opportunity to gain new skills, work with highly respected professionals and leave behind a small legacy in such a successful organisation as UNA-UK makes me extremely proud and grateful.

Andreea volunteered as a Membership Administration and Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Sarah Chessher

Having decided to pursue a change in career I was very keen to undertake an internship position which would give me a genuine insight to the sector. Working at UNA-UK has certainly provided this, both in terms of getting to grips with the administrative processes of a membership organisation, and more generally the issues facing those working in international development today. I am sure that the experience I have gained thus far will be invaluable to my future career, and I have really enjoyed working alongside and being a part of such a dedicated team.

Sarah has a BA in Theology from Oxford University and was Membership Administration and Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Natalie Chindipha

My internship at UNA-UK has been nothing short of rewarding. Throughout my time I have been given the opportunity to work on a number of exciting projects including UNA-UK’s annual youth conference.   I have been given a lot of responsibility and have always felt that my input and contributions were valued.  The staff at UNA have been incredible, they have challenged and supported me from the very beginning. I am confident that all the skills I have acquired will be useful in my future career.

Natalie holds a BA(Hons) in International Relations and was the Youth Intern at UNA-UK.

Tom Clarke

UNA-UK creates a really supportive environment for volunteering. I’ve had a high-level of ownership over my tasks, and had the chance to contribute to exciting projects with global scope. It’s been a great chance to immerse myself in international relations and the workings of the NGO sector, as well as attend some great events. The skills I’ve developed during my internship have definitely improved my employability, and made me much more confident moving into my next position.

Tom volunteered as the Communications & Social Media Intern at UNA-UK.

Chloe Dawes

Interning at UNA-UK has been an exciting and rewarding experience, and it has given me a valuable insight into the workings of an NGO and developed my understanding of the UN. The positive working environment and encouragement from the friendly team has given me endless opportunities for me to develop my skills set which will be beneficial in a future career. I am grateful to have the opportunity to look after the important relationship between the organisation and its supporters through membership administration. I will come out from this experience with the knowledge that I would like to continue working in the NGO sector. 

Chloe volunteered as the Membership Support and Administration Intern at UNA-UK.

Anastasia Doronicheva

My time at the UNA-UK has been very enjoyable and my internship was very rewarding. I was given varied responsibilities and opportunities to work on exciting projects, including a GenUN Model UN. The staff at UNA-UK are very friendly and they have supported me throughout my internship. I am very grateful for the knowledge and skills I have gained through my internship. This experience will undoubtedly help me in my future career. 

Ana volunteered as a Membership Administration and Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Giancarlo Gini

Interning at UNA-UK is an excellent opportunity for a graduate seeking to set out on a career in politics. Tasks covered all aspects of operation; from political research to database management and internal communications. Staff ensured that I was given the opportunity to get involved in specific areas of interest. Interning at UNA-UK has enabled me to significantly narrow down the type of work I want to do and what type of organisation I want to work for. 

 

Giancarlo volunteered as an Outreach Intern at UNA-UK.

Chris Goddings

Being given the freedom and responsibility to work on a number of projects at UNA-UK was very rewarding, and my input was always encouraged. Overseeing the membership administration allowed me to develop key skills while gaining a valuable insight into the important relationship between the organisation and its supporters. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with a team of passionate, knowledgeable staff who were always keen to assist with my career development.

Chris holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Lincoln. He volunteered as a Membership Administration and Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Mahvish Inayat

My internship at UNA-UK was a very rewarding experience, as it provided the opportunity to be part of an amazing team and project. I had a lot of freedom in using my skills to undertake my responsibilities as a Programme Development Intern. I am truly grateful for the experience.

Mahvish was a Programme Development Intern at UNA-UK.

Sabika Ishaq

Working at the UNA-UK has been an enriching experience, specifically in the areas that are key for successful career development. The role undertaken during my time at the organisation has given me the opportunity to work in a motivated team environment on major UNA-UK initiatives. My experience here will no doubt prove very useful in future endeavours.

Sabika has an MSc in Analysis, Design and Management of Information Systems from the London School of Economics. Before volunteering for UNA-UK, she worked as a Young Professional Officer at the UNDP office in Pakistan.

Katharina Jens

Volunteering for UNA-UK has been a great experience!  The team has been very supportive and has shown a real interest in helping me to develop both my personal and professional skills. The tasks you undertake as an intern are very varied. You learn about planning and managing projects, how to conduct external communications and to give membership support, how to execute administrative tasks and database maintenance. I have also had the opportunity to contribute to the yearly youth conference, which gave me invaluable experiences that will be useful in my future career.

Katharina has a MSc in Media, Communication and Development from the LSE. She volunteered as the Outreach Intern at UNA-UK.

Yesl Kang

I’ve enjoyed volunteering for UNA-UK and the opportunity has given me a real insight into the workings of a NGO. Being part of a small team meant that I was exposed to many aspects of the organisation and was kept up to date with international development issues. I was also entrusted with a lot of challenging and varied tasks which have helped expand my skill set considerably. This internship has definitely given me a clearer understanding of the sector and where I want to head next.

Yesl volunteered as a Membership Administration & Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Tena Kozic

During my internship at UNA-UK I have developed practical skills in data and donor relationship management in the non-for-profit sector, which complemented my academic background. A pleasant working environment and friendly members of staff helped me to gain confidence and prepare for my future career. In addition to valuable work experience, there were plenty of opportunities to network, meet new people with similar interests and make new friends.

Tena holds a BA in Political Science gained at University of Zagreb and has recently finished her MA in International Development Management at the University of Westminster. She volunteered as a Membership Administration and Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Morgane Legendre

My time at UNA-UK was a very fruitful one. It was the perfect platform for me to find a permanent position as I developed crucial skills and gained a more practical knowledge of topics that I had explored during my academic years. The staff were very friendly and I felt very included in the decision-making process.

Morgane volunteered as a Peace and Security Intern at UNA-UK.

Victoria Low 

Interning at UNA-UK has been an incredible experience that has not only given me an invaluable insight into the workings of a UK-wide membership organisation, but has also consolidated my long-established desire to pursue a career in the NGO sector. From daily administrative tasks including database management and providing membership support to assisting in the organisation of illustrious events such as UN Day 2014, my involvement in multiple UNA-UK projects has provided endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. I am truly grateful to the supportive and dedicated team for the experience. 

Victoria volunteered as the Membership and Project Support Intern at UNA-UK. 

Calum Maclure

My work as a UNA-UK intern has been varied, challenging and highly enjoyable. The UNA-UK team are extremely supportive, and they have given me the opportunity to make substantial contributions to work of genuine importance. I have also gained a better knowledge of the UN and international affairs, as well as real insight into what it’s like to work at an NGO. Above all, this internship has allowed me to develop skills that will be useful in my future career, and I am already finding that prospective employers are taking an interest in my work at UNA-UK.

Calum volunteered as a Communications Intern at UNA-UK.

Holly Manvell

This internship has allowed me to develop my knowledge and understanding of both international development and the work of the UN. I loved working with the team and having responsibility and autonomy over the tasks I worked on.

Holly volunteered as a Communications Intern whilst studying towards a Geography BSc at Kings College.

Nicollen Meek

Being part of the UNA-UK team has been both stimulating and enlightening. I had the opportunity to support UNA-UK’s mission for a fairer, safer and more sustainable world through my role as the Social Media and Communications Intern. The experience I gained, and the care and guidance I received, gave me the confidence to pursue a career in international relations.

Nicky holds a BA(Hons) in War Studies from King’s College London and volunteered as a Social Media and Communications Intern at UNA-UK.

Priyanka Mogul

Interning with UNA-UK has been an incredible experience that has not only helped me develop my communication/PR skills further, but also deepen my knowledge of international affairs and the UN. Volunteering within this small but supportive office has meant that I was able to take ownership of my tasks and feel like part of the team. There hasn’t been a day here when I haven’t learnt something new and I am certain that I am leaving UNA-UK with a set of professional skills that will greatly benefit me in my future career. 

Priyanka volunteered as Communications & Social Media Intern at UNA-UK.

Georgina Mugugu

My time at UNA-UK has been a tremendously enjoyable experience.  The constant support and encouragement of the UNA-UK staff ensured I quickly became comfortable in my new environment. As the Youth Intern I have been involved in helping to maintain and support relationships with over 40 UNA Youth branches across the UK. In a small office I have had the privilege of observing the different areas of work within an NGO whilst developing my own understanding of the United Nations.  The variation of tasks and training given has allowed me to develop many skills and qualities that will definitely benefit me in my future career. 

Georgina volunteered as the Youth Intern at UNA-UK.

Abi Ogunmwonyi

My internship at UNA-UK has been nothing short of rewarding. Throughout my internship, I have been given the opportunity to contribute to a number of exciting projects including the UNA youth freshers' fair and the UN Day reception. With the responsibility I have been given, I have always felt that my input and contributions were valued. The staff at UNA-UK have been supportive and it is incredibly motivating to see how hard they work and what they achieve. The variation of tasks and training recieved has allowed me to develop many skills and qualities that will definitely benefit me in my future career. 

Abi volunteered as the Outreach Intern with UNA-UK.  

Jo Robinson

During my time at UNA-UK I have been given real responsibility on a variety of projects and have been well supported by the passionate and knowledgeable staff here. Gaining first-hand experience of working in this sector along with everything I have learned about international development and world politics will undoubtedly be of great value to my future career.

Jo holds a BA in Human Geography from Durham University. She was the Digital Communications Intern at UNA-UK before embarking on a Masters in African Studies at SOAS.

Aminah Samad

Interning at UNA-UK has allowed me to work in a multitude of different areas, encouraging my understanding of the organisation, and the sector as a whole. The work has been interesting and it was great to handle responsibility from day one, whilst still being supported by the ever helpful staff members. Overall, UNA-UK has been perfect in helping me to build upon a variety of skills and experiences that will undoubtedly continue to benefit me in the future.

Aminah holds a BSc in Geography from King's College London and volunteered as a Membership Administration & Projects Intern at UNA-UK.

Stephanie Siddall

Interning at UNA-UK is thoroughly enjoyable – it has become a part of my week that I really look forward to. Whilst I focus predominantly on the Responsibility to Protect Programme, I have been encouraged to get involved across all areas of the organisation. Through attending both internal and external events and meetings, I have been able to improve my understanding of wider policy and organisational matters. I have been given ownership over substantive projects and made to feel that my contribution is really valued. This balance of tasks has been great, in particular for my own professional development in expanding my skill set.

Steph volunteered as the Peace & Security Intern at UNA-UK.

Bethany Summers

In this hyper competitive jobs market it is really important to remain active and continuously building on your skill base.  Volunteering for UNA-UK has been a great way to do this whilst I looked for work.  I have enjoyed being given responsibility for a clearly defined project and appreciated the relaxed and friendly working environment. 

Bethany volunteered as a Programme Development Intern at UNA-UK.

Ewa Szczepanska

Interning at UNA-UK has been a great experience which has given me a valuable insight into the work of a non-profit organisation. By working with staff members on several projects, such as UNA Youth Council elections and organising freshers’ fairs for UNA Youth, I have developed useful skills that will definitely benefit me in my future career. I always felt fully supported by the staff members who made me feel part of the team and made sure that I made the most out of this internship.

Ewa volunteered as a Youth Intern at UNA-UK.

Holly Ulusan

During my time at UNA-UK I have really enjoyed myself and have learnt many new things. Even though I had to commute to London I was still eager to arrive every morning, due to the friendly staff. They have given me responsibilities to help improve skills that are useful for the future and for that reason I am very grateful to them.

Holly is studying for her GCSEs at the Anglo European School and volunteered with UNA-UK.

Jeevan Vipinachandran

Everyone at UNA-UK has been very friendly, and I am now familiar with the processes of an efficient office environment. I have hugely enjoyed learning first-hand how a nationwide membership management system works. My favourite aspect of this internship experience was learning about the varied challenges of event management, something that I am glad to have increased my exposure to.  In future work and in life in general, I hope to use the communication, time keeping and organisational skills that I have learned.

Jeevan volunteered as an Outreach Intern with UNA-UK.