International Youth Internship Program

Mathieu Bouchard, intern in Rwanda (2005-2006)

Soon after completing his Bachelor’s Degree in administration, Mathieu Bouchard left for a six-month internship in the Rwandan capital of Kigali with a Développement international Desjardins partner, the Agaseke financial centre for entrepreneurs (CFE). Mathieu’s mission consisted of providing financial management support for a capacity-building program for CFE managers.

This experience in international aid was a turning point for him, “During my internship, I discovered the entrepreneurship, solidarity and perseverance of Rwandans. In addition, with them and thanks to the support of DID advisors in the field, I was able to apply my professional skills in a different environment. This confirmed my desire for a career in banking. What a privilege this experience was, being able to exchange knowledge and skills with my Rwandan counterparts!”

Antoine Douville, intern in Tanzania (2005-2006)

For Antoine Douville of Montreal, 27, an internship in Tanzania represented a personal challenge, “I had dreamed of working abroad for a long time. My experience working with the people in the Dunduliza network of financial cooperatives was decisive. I now feel ready for other mandates abroad.”

During his stay in this East African country, Antoine worked In collaboration with Dunduliza employees in their accounting and marketing activities, two fields of expertise acquired during his studies, first for a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration with a minor in marketing at the École des Hautes Études Commerciales (HEC) in Montreal, and then for a Master’s Degree in international management at the Université de Sherbrooke.

Frédéric Lavoie, intern in Tanzania (2005-2006)

A fervent marketing enthusiast at 23, Frédéric Lavoie of Quebec City had the chance to test several approaches for marketing products and services offered by the Dunduliza network, “The managers and I planned and implemented various marketing strategies to interest members in products offered by the cooperatives. Each time, we learned more about the profiles of the cooperatives' clienteles. By the end of my internship we were much more confident in our endeavours and my Tanzanian colleagues were already benefiting from the work we had done. And they will be able to improve on it in the future.”

In the field: adaptability and flexibility

In the field, all three were able to learn fundamental skills for working as international development aid specialists, especially adaptability and flexibility. The different ways that things are done elsewhere was a challenge for Mathieu, “I realized that development aid involves transferring our experience in a way that enriches others without imposing our way of doing things. It was an excellent lesson in humility and, in return, we learn a great deal from the people that we help.” To help understand and deal with the culture shock that awaited them, the interns received training from CIDA prior to departure.

Mathieu, Antoine and Frédéric received support from DID throughout their internship from the advisors in the field and the head office in Lévis. They returned to Québec feeling that they had experienced something unique for young people their age. Making a dream come true, surpassing oneself, and professional and personal development are some of the benefits that they gained from their internship and will now share with their friends and colleagues.