What inspired you to travel abroad?
I always wanted to learn and apply my skills outside the classroom. Being an engineer there are only limited options available and when I heard about Project Everest I immediately signed up. At the time I hadn't even heard of what a 'Social Business' was, however, even my very basic understanding of Project Everest was enough to get me to sign up for an interview and get on board with the organization.
Timor Leste - Mt Ramalau
Why did you choose Social Impact Internships | Global Development | Fiji?
The issue of recycling was something I was always passionate about and when I heard that there was a project in Timor-Leste specifically focused around developing solutions to waste management, I didn't have to think about it twice. I also wanted to make sure that the projects I was working on overseas used my engineering skills as well, for that reason I also decided to trek on a fuel sustainability project in Fiji. I wanted to explore the effect of emission due to inefficient cooking methods and how we can use engineering skills to design a product that would reduce emissions and optimize cooking methods. Heading into the interview process I was 100% sure of the projects I wanted to work on and the countries I wanted to go to.
What was your favorite part about Fiji?
Timor-Leste has untouched and raw beauty, it’s a country that has very recently gained its independence and is relatively free of tourism. The people of Timor-Leste are very warm-hearted and welcoming although this can be said about pretty much every country that Project Everest operates in, however, there is something very special about Timor that is hard to describe in words. It's a feeling that many trekkers and leaders feel that have spent time in Timor. Fiji had amazingly beautiful beaches and extraordinary sunsets, I was taken aback by how much Fiji had to offer. The food was delicious and the people were very friendly. What I loved about Fiji was that the projects were already quite established. I still remember my first week where we took the Rocket Stove down to the market and how receptive everyone was to the idea and wanted to buy one from us immediately.
Fuel Team in Fiji Feb 2018 at Project Accommodation
What made your experience abroad extraordinary?
The people that I trekked with, the wholesome culture that Project Everest promotes, and the highly trained staff that helped in my personal and professional development-- the ultimate trifecta to any overseas experience. I came back from my two months overseas sad, not because I didn't feel fulfilled but because I wanted to stay and work on the projects as long as I could. From that moment onwards, I knew that this was an organization that I wanted to stay involved with and that decision was and is the greatest decision of my life.
How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?
The local staff provided me with various workshops and presentations throughout the month to develop my soft skills such as leadership, pitching, communication, and teamwork. Even from the beginning, the leadership was focused on creating personal and professional goals for the month and making sure that we were on track to completing these goals through weekly check-ins and debriefs. This allowed me to have checks and balances to make sure that the goals I set were realistic and achievable and this also provided a way to measure the progress.
What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?
The only thing I wish I had done differently was hoping to get involved with the organization sooner than I did.
Fuel Team going empathising in one of the villages
Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.
You start the day by waking up early in the morning around 6 a.m. to go for a morning run or group exercise by the beach. After having Maria's amazing eggs for breakfast, you start getting ready for a morning meeting at 8:22 a.m. In the meeting, we discussed the daily goals for each team member and the plan of action to achieve these goals. Till about lunch, everyone is busy either staying at project HQ working on the goals or going in the field if we have any meetings set up. The day usually includes workshops and presentations regarding various Lean Methodologies and Pitch Presentation. We normally finish the day around 5:15 p.m. when we head into Review and Recap for the day where we discuss the achievements, any potential blocks and how to improve them. By the end of this, it’s time for dinner where the local cook has cooked an amazing vegetarian curry and rice. Trust me, there is nothing better than rice and curry after a hard day of work in hot and humid weather. After dinner time, it's time for the trekkers and leaders to relax. We usually play board games or just relax at the project accommodation.
What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?
The accommodation provided is quite basic and probably not the most comfortable but its important to experience that. It's very hard to work for sustainable change if you're doing it from your comfy rooms in a resort or sipping cocktails on a beach, (which you're welcome to do on weekends after working hard during the week). The basic accommodation reminds you of how more than half of the population in that country is living and helps you empathize with the locals that you are trying to solve social issues for.
What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?
Do your research, you will only get out of the month what you put in. It is hard work but it's also one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
ERS Team in Timor Jan 2018 at Project Accommodation
Would you recommend Social Impact Internships | Global Development | Fiji to others? Why?
Absolutely, if you're sitting in your classroom confused about how you will apply the theory and skills in real life this is the project for you.
What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is?
The people you meet and the long life friends you make. I met some of my best friends on these projects and I can say with an absolute guarantee that I made friends for life while traveling overseas.
Now that you're home, how has your time abroad impacted your life?
The whole leadership journey has been incredibly rewarding and valuable to my self-development. My training and development within the organization never seemed to stop and I am incredibly excited to face the challenges and opportunities that in-country experience will bring. To stay involved with the company has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
Meaningful travel for me encompasses traveling abroad and using my time to give back to the community and help people. There are a lot of volunteer organizations out there but none of them look at the impact and sustainability the way Project Everest does.
