Engaging Youth through Internship Program UCLG ASPAC Secretariat Office happily welcomes a new intern, Maria Shenen Alfelor Gazmen. “You can call me Shenen or Maria, whichever is easier for you,” she said friendly. That began our interview. She answered question after question that we asked, and all are wrapped up below. Becoming a student at Enderun Colleges (Mckinley, Taguig City, the Philippines), Shenen is currently studying marketing management. Within three month period of internship, Shenen shared with us her expectation during her internship. “I have thought of four things that I really am looking forward to while doing my internship here at UCLG ASPAC. First, I expect that I will not just be applying what I have learned from inside the class room, but to also have the opportunity to share what I know to my colleagues. I hope that I will be able to deliver more of what is expected of me and to always challenge myself to do more. With the three months of being an intern at UCLG ASPAC I know that I will be able to gain more knowledge and get to experience more of the things that I have learned, will learn, and that it will keep on inspiring me on how to never stop learning. I also expect to learn from the different cultures of my colleagues and be able to share to them the Filipino culture as well.” So, we asked her further. Why she chose UCLG ASPAC for internship. “I chose UCLG ASPAC because I believe that it is a stepping stone for me to develop my leadership skills and at the same time I believe that it will allow me to grow as a person and open up my mind to the different aspects of being in the government and at the same time trying to help the government for the betterment of the city and its people.” Development of city, people, and self-learning have become key words of our conversation. And finally we ask about her impression when arriving in Jakarta.
“The first thing I have noticed upon arrival in Jakarta is the warm welcome of the people. It made me feel at home right away that I even said to myself how “It is home away from home” because Filipinos are also well-known for being warm and friendly and that is how Indonesians welcomed me.” Very well, Shenen. Welcome to the Secretariat and best of luck for your internship!