This summer I completed an internship with the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Montreal that was established to promote and regulate international civil aviation. While I did not have much prior knowledge or experience with aviation, I was deeply driven to apply due to my passion for international relations and a desire to do meaningful work at the international level.Â
My four-month internship at ICAO exceeded my expectations. I not only applied the knowledge and skills I developed at Â鶹AV over the last three years but I also acquired an entirely new skill set. Initially, I was uncertain about what to expect, given my lack of experience with intergovernmental organizations and my concerns about excessive workload and expectations. To my delight, I was welcomed into a small yet exceptional team in the Air Navigation Bureau. This team included my supervisor—Mr. Merens from Luxembourg, and Ms. Flanagan, his deputy from the United States—as well as three other interns from France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
Working daily with individuals from diverse countries and educational backgrounds was an extraordinary experience. Our team environment fostered creativity and innovation, encouraging us to think outside the box and pursue projects and initiatives that truly excited us. My superiors were not only authoritative figures but also exceptional mentors, guiding me through the intricacies of the SharePoint platform and its various tools, including Power Automate. I never imagined I would delve into coding, but my introduction to this AI-driven coding tool was nothing short of remarkable.
My main role involved researching ICAO member states to assess their eligibility for various projects proposed by the organization. This required analyzing their socioeconomic conditions, aviation development, and success with UN programs. Given my background in research for educational purposes, this aspect of the job was well within my comfort zone and closely aligned with the skills I honed during my bachelor's degree. Another key responsibility was delivering webinars on an implementation and support platform developed entirely by my bureau. Some of these webinars, which lasted up to an hour, reached over 100 participants. I needed to thoroughly master the platform to effectively explain it to users who were unfamiliar with it. I particularly enjoyed this task, as I am very comfortable with presentations and appreciated the opportunity to engage with more people, offering support and assistance with the platform even after the webinars concluded.
A highlight of my time at ICAO was attending a Council meeting in June. The Council, comprising of 36 elected member states, convenes to discuss key agenda items between Assemblies. It was fascinating to hear representatives speak in their native languages, complemented by live translation, and witness firsthand the spirit of international collaboration on various issues.
Beyond the official duties, I was also included in a range of “extra-curricular” activities. From mini-golf outings and retirement parties to barbecues, interns were always part of the action. I felt deeply integrated into the organization and appreciated by colleagues who valued fresh ideas and energy. As my internship concluded, I was offered to host a farewell gathering with everyone I worked with over the summer, complete with pizza and wine to celebrate our achievements. I am incredibly grateful for this experience and, while I’m sad to see it end, I am excited to bring the skills and knowledge I’ve gained into my final semester at Â鶹AV. I would recommend this internship to any student looking to have experience with an intergovernmental organization that will provide outstanding learning opportunities.
