Westminster students embark on 2024 internships with the United Nations

Following a thorough selection process led by IOM, several Westminster students have been selected as long-term interns with IOM offices in locations such as Switzerland, Kenya, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Austria.

IOM is one of the fastest growing United Nations agencies, responding to multiple challenging displacement crises worldwide, including disasters, environmental degradation, food insecurity and complex protracted conflicts.

These unique internship opportunities are a result of an institutional agreement signed in 2022 between Westminster and the IOM whereby Westminster students are offered exclusive long-term internship opportunities which run for six to nine months at IOM offices worldwide.

Arabic and International Relations BA Honours student Julia Sangali, who recently started her internship at the IOM Headquarter in Geneva, said: “Being a part of the Policy Unit of the Protection Division has given me an opportunity to experience everything that I have studied at university and broadened my horizons considerably. I now have access to knowledge, people and experiences that until recently I did not consider possible until I joined IOM. This gives me an assurance not only of my career progression, but a sense that my journey has a purpose and that I can use it to help migrants and make a difference towards orderly, dignified and safe migration.”

To ensure all students can access this initiative, the interns receive financial support from the University through resources dedicated to outward mobility, as well as generous funding from the Quintin Hogg Trust and Westminster alumnus and donor Ken Subraj.

These internships are open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the University and provide students with exposure to global policy making platforms and an excellent start to their career journeys.

Madhura Gaikwad completed her Diplomacy and Global Politics MA course this year and has been selected for an internship at the IOM Geneva office. She said: “This internship is an incredible start to my career. Working at headquarters opens a lot of doors for me to explore and contribute to the dialogue and discussion on critical global issues and meaningful engagement with other UN agencies.”

Artemis Rafaella Port Rabello, Politics and International Relations BA Honours student, who has recently embarked on her internship at IOM’s regional office in Vienna, added: “Working at IOM has been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Overseeing projects in over 20 countries while interacting with high-level diplomacy and being a part of discussions on global affairs has taught me so much in the little time I’ve been here so far. I am grateful for this golden ticket to this incredible opportunity to grow personally and professionally in ways I only dreamed of before.”

This partnership has been mobilised by Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad, the Employability Director for the School of Social Sciences, who has been leading a number of international and UN-related collaborations. She said: “This scheme is premised on providing access to high-level employability opportunities to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Internships at the UN can be instrumental in shaping students’ career trajectories, yet their highly competitive and unpaid nature make them inaccessible to most of our students. Through a meaningful institutional agreement and the dedication of our donors, the current scheme addresses these obstacles by enabling inclusive and dedicated access to such opportunities. In doing so, the programme also contributes to furthering diversity and equality within global institutions while contributing to the University’s commitments to sustainability. Our University is now IOM’s largest university partner.”

Interns will not only gain invaluable professional exposure and experience but also experience living and working in a diverse environment in another country.

Caroline Reagan, an International Relations MA student who now interns at IOM Kenya and works with government partners and stakeholders to foster comprehensive development-oriented solutions to climate displaced populations, added: “The capital city of Nairobi is one of the most influential, commercial and financial regional hubs. I am very delighted to have the opportunity to work for IOM Kenya and cultivate my interests and abilities.”

Amaan Haris, an International Relations and Development BA Honours student interning at IOM’s Vienna office, said: "Being provided with the opportunity to not just move abroad but work for an international organisation and make a difference to peoples' lives is truly amazing." 

Last year, a number of Westminster interns were offered full time employment opportunities at IOM, a testimony to the internship programme’s transformative power and its ability to result in long-term employment. 

Yassine Kerkeni, a Data Science and Analytics MSc graduate, completed his internship at IOM’s London office earlier this year. He said: “Looking back at my internship as I move into an Associate position, I realise how meaningful this experience has been. I was given significant responsibilities right from the start, with each task turning into a valuable learning experience, broadening my skills and knowledge. The significant work I will now undertake as an Associate will help deliver better humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and migrants around the world.”

Ahmad Aziz, an International Relations and Development BA Honours graduate who is now a consultant at IOM’s Dhakka office after completing a nine-month internship there last year, added: “This experience has given me unparalleled room for growth. To be able to work in a rich developing context such as Bangladesh directly contributes to fulfilling my life ambitions to build towards positive outcomes for those in the most difficult circumstances.”

These internships directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10: Reduced Inequalities, 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.  

For more information regarding the partnership between the University of Westminster and IOM, please contact Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad.