My name is Johanna and I am currently studying Southeast Asian Studies and Management in Konstanz in the south of Germany. From May to the end of July 2022 I did an internship at KAS Cambodia. After finishing three interesting and insightful months, let me share my experience with you.
KAS provided me the opportunity to get my first working experience abroad, to contribute to the valuable work of the think tank and to deepen my knowledge about Cambodia. As KAS engages in a variety of fields I got insights into different areas like current politics, journalism and sustainability. In line with your personal fields of interest you can get involved in specific KAS projects. For me, already engaging in youth work in Germany I was interested in KAS’ efforts in youth empowerment in Cambodia. I was fortunate that during my internship the Political Empowerment Academy took place. It is one of the biggest KAS projects regarding youth empowerment and I got the chance to join the organizers’ team. During the four days in Kampot we ran a program encouraging youth participation in civil society. Connecting to the young Cambodian and international participants was a highlight for me. I learnt a lot about their countries and could exchange views and perspectives with them.
Throughout the internship you get the chance to enhance your skills. Giving presentations made me gain more experience in public speaking and a new challenge for me was the moderation of a panel discussion. It was one of the moments at KAS when I felt like I was going beyond myself. I enjoyed being given responsibility. For example, I was in charge of setting up an event on discussing journalists’ exposure to mental health issues. From guest speakers to content to catering I was left with the choice. Apart from events and projects I also helped with finalizing KAS publications. Moreover I researched and wrote a country report about the current topic of Cambodia’s commune elections. Writing your own paper will make you gain a deeper understanding of the country.
The team at KAS Cambodia was very warm-hearted and the office was an open space, so the working atmosphere and environment were pleasant. You can rely on your colleagues if you need help, advice or people to spend the free time. I enjoyed when my colleagues took me to meetings or stakeholder events out of office. You will often get the chance to meet new people from KAS' network. This first working experience abroad taught me a lot. Of course working and living in another country brings challenges, you will get out of your comfort zone. This made me more resilient, independent and adaptable. And the experience shows you what you can accomplish. You can definitely rely on interesting tasks and insights, and a welcoming and caretaking team.
