Alumni Interview with Ashleigh Rankin

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

I was always looking for the chance to do something overseas, because it is experiences like this that give you the opportunity to challenge yourself and build lifelong skills. I was blown away by the month that transpired when I went overseas with Project Everest. Everyone thrived in being given the chance to grow both personally and professionally as well as having a real positive and sustainable impact in the social development of other developing countries. At university, it can be hard to think outside the classroom and apply that knowledge to a real world environment and this is something Project Everest gave me the opportunity to do. 

Why did you choose Project Everest Ventures?

I chose Project Everest because it was an organisation that was passionate about social development as well as giving university students the chance to make a real difference in the communities that they work in. I wanted to do an internship overseas in a developing country which can often be difficult to do so sustainably. 

I wanted to make an impact that lasted after I left the country. When I saw the work Project Everest was doing I knew this was ideal because they are very passionate about sustainability and empowering university students to learn new skills that are applicable to every workplace. 

They offer a lot of training and workshops to feel competent in the internship work. I also had nurturing team leaders to ensure my own personal and professional goals were met throughout my month overseas in Timor Leste. 

What was your favorite part about Timor? 

Timor has so much untouched nature, it was incredible, the mountains and ocean  are right by each other and it’s unlike anything in Australia! Every weekend we had the chance to explore a new part of Timor which everyone loved. A highlight for me was going to Atauro Island and spending the day at the markets, snorkelling in one of the best reefs in the world, and swimming- it was paradise. 

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

This was the best month and every day was different. You were constantly learning and growing along with everyone around you.The people in Project Everest's own community and in the Dili community made this abroad experience so unique. Every person I worked with became like family. There was a drive to meet our monthly goals, to continue to build a startup recycling business, to improve on the work of previous months, and to set up a business for future months to also succeed. The difference with Project Everest is that there is a focus on growth in the environment, not only in developing better public speaking, communication and leadership skills, but also in fostering the development of the countries that you work in. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program? 

Project Everest has the best team of leaders who are unparalleled in their ability to deliver intern outcomes, safety, physical and emotional support, and fun throughout the entire month. The leaders have undergone rigorous training and every person knew that if there was any issue we could discuss it with them. The team leaders are working with you everyday on the internship project  and you form a strong bond and passion towards solving the world's social issues. The training and workshops ensured that any task, such as stakeholder meetings with the local owners of a business in Timor Leste, was tackled head on and with confidence. The safety briefings, crisis management training, and everyone being trained in First Aid, it helped to know that if any issues were to arise they would be dealt with efficiently. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

I threw myself into this internship and gave 110 percent always because what you put into an experience of a lifetime is what you will get out of it. My only regret is not doing this sooner. If I had to choose something I would have done differently it would be not bringing more sweat proof clothes- Timor is hot haha! 

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like. 

Every day is different with Project Everest. It begins with a morning meeting where the team of interns working on the recycling project will discuss everyone's individual goals for the day with your team leader, but after that there is no predicting what a 'typical' day is. Some days involve whole days out in the community talking to stakeholders, such as businesses, manufacturers, schools or individual people. Other days involve workshops around culture, personality typing, pitching and communication. Some times I was analysing the data we had collected, writing experiments for that week, and once a week we had the chance to do an activity like a cultural cook off! 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

I made friendships for life on this internship so free time after internship hours involved ball games, card games, going for a swim at the beach or a trip to the local shops/markets. Our weekends were spent at the beach swimming, snorkelling and playing sports, shopping for local clothing, going to food markets, exploring around Dili on the microlets (the local form of transport the Timorese use that we become well acquainted with), walking up to Cristo Rei, paintball, or hitting up a karaoke bar. There was a wide variety of options.  

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

The accommodation was great! Keep in mind it is a developing country, so it is not five stars but it was still very comfortable and it had an ocean view.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins? 

This is honestly the opportunity of a lifetime and I am so glad that I said yes to it. Every single day is unique and I encourage everyone to make the most of your four, eight or twelve week time with Project Everest. The friends you make, the communities you impact, and the time shared is something you will carry with you for the rest of your life. 

Would you recommend Project Everest Ventures to others? Why? 

Definitely! Project Everest has shown me a new way to approach social development whilst also improving my soft skills. Everyone starts with a different base, for example some people may have poor, average, or above average communication skills but there are always improvements that can be made. This growth mindset is shared by everyone. The training, workshops and the internship itself are transformative in improving your outlook, self-confidence, and professional workplace skills. 

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is? 

The chance to see other cultures and really immerse yourself in a world outside your own. Working or travelling abroad gives you the opportunity to see life through a different perspective and makes you grateful for all the opportunities you are given. It's also a chance to step outside your comfort zone and see new places and meet new people. 

Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life? 

I have gained a whole new community of friends and I am continually working on the skills that Project Everest has given me to improve myself in both my personal and professional life which has been far reaching. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Meaningful travel means travel with a purpose. Project Everest gives people the chance to really make a difference in developing countries whilst also working on yourself and seeing the world.