My name is Maya Ojeda Vinelli, I am currently going into my third year at 平特五不中. I am pursuing a B.A in Political Science with minors in both International Development and Hispanic Studies. 鈥嬧�婭 come from a diverse background, with a mix of Brazilian and Peruvian heritage, and the privilege of being born in Costa Rica. I hold pride in my Latina roots and appreciate the enriching blend of cultures that have shaped me. My areas of interest include international politics and comparative politics. I particularly enjoy these two areas of the Political Science program as they closely look at the interactions between states and their approaches towards dealing with various global challenges.
I wanted to challenge myself and take an internship in Lima, Peru to get another perspective on politics. Since I have taken several courses in Canadian politics, I was curious to learn more about politics in Latin America. I strongly desired the chance to learn alongside experienced professionals in the field who can teach me how to apply my knowledge in political science courses in the workplace while also fostering my ability to independently explore and problem-solve. Moreover, I wanted to participate in this internship to develop my research skills and analytical skills to help me in my future academic pursuits. This is important because one of my biggest goals is to become a lawyer and in order to be successful in my profession, I must be able to build a strong foundation in legal research and analyzing legal issues. Some of my objectives coming into this internship experience were to learn how to properly research and filter out what's important. Another learning objective I set for myself was to strengthen my presentation skills and present my work in a clear and concise manner. Additionally, one of my goals was to improve my writing skills and strengthen my communication skills in both Spanish and English in order to influence and shape public opinion. The last two learning objectives I set for myself was to gain a deeper understanding of public policy and the cultural and political factors that influence strategic communication in different regions of the world.
My host organization is named Newlink. Newlink is a global consulting firm specializing in corporate communications, public affairs, crisis management, and digital communications services. Their mission is to assist clients worldwide in building, expanding, and safeguarding their reputations. Their team of experts offers tailored solutions that align with clients' specific needs and business objectives. With a focus on innovation and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, Newlink provides cutting-edge advice and support. Their presence in the United States and Latin America allows them to offer comprehensive insights and solutions across diverse markets and industries. Newlink's overall mission is to commit research, development, and industry participation to deliver exceptional services and help clients build resilient businesses.
As an intern at Newlink, my responsibilities included familiarizing myself with the company's fundamentals and understanding its clients, particularly Inchcape, a major automobile distribution company in Latin America. I worked closely with my supervisor, Sergio, to analyze and comprehend Inchcape's business model and platform. Additionally, I delved into political research, examining social, economic, and political aspects of various Latin American countries for the monthly political report provided to Inchcape. During my internship, I had the unique opportunity to participate in a high-profile interview with Inchcape's CEO, Sir Duncan Tait, where I took notes on key points and assisted with on-the-spot translations. Furthermore, I collaborated with colleagues to create presentations and engaged in tasks related to Public Affairs, gaining valuable insights into the world of business and politics in Latin America. Furthermore, I assisted with another important project for client company Delosi. This project encompassed the creation of a presentation for Delosi, showcasing new steps to sustainability and creating recommendations based on local legislation and company policies.
Some of the highlights of my internship included presenting in front of the Director of the company my ideas for sustainability for Delosi. I felt confident in my contribution to the project and the information we put together for the presentation. Moreover, another highlight was working with my co-workers on the political report for Inchcape. I felt as though my findings and my written work was strong and continuously improved throughout the weeks. The biggest highlight was the people I鈥檝e met during this internship. I鈥檝e created friendships with my coworkers that I never imagined and I鈥檝e learnt so much from them. Alongside these highlights, I am so amazed by all the information I鈥檝e learnt about Latin American politics, specifically getting to live in Peru during crucial events such as 鈥淟a Toma De Lima鈥�.
One of the main challenges I encountered was navigating the complexity of political research in Latin American countries. Understanding the nuances of each country's social, economic, and political aspects for the monthly political report demanded extensive research and analysis. To overcome this challenge, I sought guidance from my supervisor, Sergio, and collaborated closely with colleagues who had experience in this area, which helped me gain valuable insights and improve the quality of my work.
This internship made my university experience more enriching as it not only offered me the chance to learn from professors but also work in my field of study, alongside professionals who were once in my position. I would like to thank the donors for their generous donation and making this international experience possible.
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