Title: A Transformative Journey: Claudia Gonzalez’s UNHCR Internship in Mexico

When Claudia Gonzalez and Jared Stein, second-year students at the Global Human Development Program (GHD) at Georgetown University, started their internship journey with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Mexico, it wasn’t just a summer placement, but a step into the fields that they are passionate about. “I’ve always been drawn to understanding refugee and migration movements/situations, especially in Latin America and the Caribbean,” Claudia shared, reflecting on the motivation behind her application to UNHCR. 

Claudia’s venture into the world of UNHCR was further fueled by a blend of academic curiosity and a strong desire to make an impact. “My coursework and experiences at the Institute for the Study of Migration opened my eyes. Conducting interviews and being actively involved in migration studies confirmed my passion,” she explained. The chance to work with UNHCR was more than just an internship; it was the perfect alignment of her specialization, Refugees, Migration, and Humanitarian Emergencies, and a way to understand issues from the perspective of a leading organization in the field.

“I was eager to learn about UNHCR’s work, especially their programming in Mexico. I knew they were a major player, but I wanted to grasp the nuances of their operations and their approach to government collaboration,” Claudia said, highlighting her initial expectations.

“The support they gave us during their short stay was substantial. They helped us to bring up many issues we had pending, helped us compiling inputs for reports and preparing the weekly calls with donors, and allowed us to improve our response time to general requests. Claudia’s previous experience in migration and asylum issues at the southern border of the US and her particular interest in gender issues made her integration to the team quick and her work really impacted our work in the team and in the operation” –  Isabel Sorela, Donor Relations Officer.

As an Associate External Relations Officer, Claudia’s role was pivotal in shaping UNHCR’s communication strategy. “Our team was small, but our task was significant. We needed to effectively communicate the work we were doing in Mexico to our donors and partners,” she noted. One of her main projects involved developing thematic fact sheets. “These weren’t just documents; they were stories of the people we serve, tailored to inform and engage our donors,” Claudia explained. Her focus on gender-based violence prevention work resonated with her personal interests, adding depth to her contributions.

“The process of talking to a gender expert, understanding what needed to be communicated, and then translating that into visually appealing and informative materials was incredibly fulfilling,” Claudia remarked.

A memorable aspect of Claudia’s internship was her interaction with the protection unit and programming team. “Shadowing my colleagues and visiting shelters in Mexico City was eye-opening. It was there, in the field, that I truly understood the scale and impact of our work,” she shared.

As she looks back on her time with UNHCR, Claudia’s advice to future interns is heartfelt and pragmatic. “Joining this team opens a world of knowledge and passion. Take every opportunity to learn and absorb as much as you can from the experiences of those around you. Your contribution, no matter how small, is part of a larger effort to make a significant difference.”

All students at GHD are required to complete a 10 week internship abroad between their first and second years in the program. This graduation requirement is designed to allow students to explore the development field of their choice and get field experience. 

GHD is proud to announce their partnership with UNHCR Mexico in summer internship placement. All students at GHD are required to complete a 10 week internship abroad between their first and second years in the program. This graduation requirement is designed to allow students to explore the development field of their choice and get field experience. To learn more about the GHD Summer Internship program requirement, you can visit the GHD website here.