Final Assignment - Take Away...

It has been just over 6 months since I returned to Canada from my internship at Oxfam. I've had a lot of time to really think about what I experienced and the impact it had on me. So what have I taken away from this opportunity?
I came to the realization that the world in which we live is so much bigger and that it is tangible if we are willing to go out, work abroad, travel and open up to new and exciting things. I became more aware of the social and environmental issues that exist in Russia and have truly experienced Russian culture like never before. For the 2 months that I've spent in a different country without my loved ones, I was able to undergo an interesting personal growth process. It is hard to express in words how I felt but what I can say is that I felt free but at the same time alone; I felt empowered yet scared in a country I have never been to before; I felt that I was learning new and advancing previous professional skills while still making stupid mistakes in this process for which I felt embarrassed; Professionally, I have grown and accepted the fact that we all make stupid mistakes (and that that's OK) - the most important thing is to learn from them, pay attention to detail and ask questions.
I grew aware of the fact that it is very hard for non-governmental organizations to actually work and realize projects in Russia because of the current restrictions that they face. Russian people are very proud and have their own idea of professionalism to which I was exposed to and learned to accept. Through such an experience, I obtained an important skill to be able to adapt to different situations and to different people in a working environment. Such a skill is extremely important because whatever my future employment positions will be, I will have to face new people and situations which I will have to accept and work with to achieve success and productivity.
Now that I am getting ready to finish my Bachelor Degree and find a 'big girl job'; I am looking into exploring global career opportunities or employment that has an international aspect to it, my mind and heart urge me to it. I belive that we live in a global village and that global issues have an impact on everyone. It is important to constantly learn about the work and the people that live in in order to better understand what it really needs. I am interested in international sustainable economic growth and development, but in order for people to work and better the situation in certain parts of the world it is important to understand the people and the culture of underdeveloped (or developping) countries and what it is that they would want for their states and communities and how would they charcterize such 'development'.
Overall, the most important thing that I have been able to take away from this experience is to never stop learning, be adaptive and positive, and know that whatever situation comes my way -I have the power to handle it.
Being positive is so important! The world will always have negative aspects to it but if you keep a positive outlook and gather strength, then you will be powerfull enough to make a difference and implement changes for the better.