Internship Report：2022 OSIPP Scholarship for overseas internship（Delio Wilson Andre Zandamela /OSIPP D2）

2023.6.21

Delio Wilson Andre Zandamela（OSIPP D2）interned this winter at the Center for International Strategic Studies（CEEI）in Maputo, Mozambique.
(photo：Directors of CEEI）

※As for the abbreviations in the organization’s name, they are acronyms in Portuguese notation.

Internship organization： The Center for International Strategic Studies（CEEI）at the Joaquim Chissano University in Maputo, Mozambique

Time Period of internship：January 9, 2023 ～ February 9, 2023

＜Preparation＞
1) Why did you select this particular organization for your internship?　Did your supervisor, friend or a third person introduce it to you?

（Joaquim Chissano Universtiy）

I graduated from Joaquim Chissano University, Higher Institute for International Relations (ISRI). CEEI is a research Center created by the former (ISRI) and is one of the most reputable and well established research centers in Mozambique now. Most of the preeminent scholars in International Relations, peace and security, foreign policy and development studies in Mozambique are members of this center. I knew the organization when I was a college student, and my former professors often mentioned (and our research guidelines and methodology were created by) CEEI. Furthermore, most of the important reports and books in the social science field in the post-colonial Mozambique were organized by CEEI.

2) How did you gather the information on your work during the internship (job description)?

My assignment was to collaborate with the Department of Peace and Security, and the Director of the Center nominated a professor to guide me and provide all necessary information to perform my tasks during the internship.
Because I had only 30 days to work both in my research and on the internship duties we agreed that the main task will be collaborating on the November Security Brief while working on my paper.
I also participated in board meeting where the center discussed and evaluated its working progress and prepared the upcoming publications, academic papers and books by the members.

3) How did the organization decide on Terms of Reference (TOR) of your work during the internship?
Did you tell your requests to the organization? If so, how much did they consider your requests?
The Organization was very considerate. I shared with them all my research projects and they did their best to accommodate my requests. I was assisted at all times by the seniors of the Organization, and they often asked me if there was something that they could help with.
I had 3 formal meetings with the Director to report my progress, one meeting with the Vice Director, as well as several meetings and talks with Seniors from the Economic and Development Department and from the Foreign Policy Department.

4) How did you prepare for trip and life (ex. accommodation & transportation) in that country? Is there any advice especially on security?
If there is something you were distressed or would have done differently in the process of preparation, could you tell us about it?
I booked an Airbnb before traveling for my accommodation. For transportation I used a Taxi app (VivaTaxi) and I paid using my credit card from Japan. In terms of security Maputo is safe.

＜Work contents on your internship＞
1) Did your actual work differ from what you had been told before the internship?
If so, why do you think the differences occurred?

No. I worked on the tasks planned prior to departure.

2) What kind of instruction did you get from supervisors? Were their instructions concrete and clear?
When you had a problem, did your supervisor listen to your story and was their advice useful?

The instructions were given in board meetings, and everything was clear. My supervisor gave me independence to work both on the project of the research center and on my own research.

3) Were you able to mingle with other professionals outside of the internship organization? Were those interactions beneficial for your future career?

I had social interactions with the staff, some in the research center and others in restaurants especially with colleagues from the Foreign Policy Department.

4) Regarding the life in that country, how did you adapt yourself to the new environment? Were there any difficulties?

In my case was not necessary to adapt because I was in my own country, so I had zero difficulties to adjust.

（Delio Wilson Andre Zandamela /OSIPP D2）

＜Self-evaluation on your internship＞
1) Did you express your appreciation to your internship organization?
If so, how? (Ex. thank-you letter)
Yes I did, I had a meeting with the Director of CEEI, and I expressed my gratitude for his personal involvement with my internship, and also to the colleagues that worked with me and supported me during the process.

2) How do you evaluate your experience and interactions with people through the internship?
The internship was an extraordinary and remarkable experience for me and I have no doubts that it was a very good decision to join CEEI.

3) Do you think your internship will have a positive effect on your future career? If yes, how in particular?

I do believe that the internship will have a positive effect on my future career because I was able to create a useful network that may help me with the process of job hunting in the near future.

4) What special qualifications are necessary as an intern at a multicultural working place and intercultural environment? Please write some advice to students who will participate in an internship program in the future.
Be friendly and open to learn from others, don’t be afraid of making mistakes, ask always for help when is necessary.