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|  | Liaison Newsletter > LIAISON Vol. 3/4, No. 7, May/July 2000
Meet an Intern Sandra Leduc Sandra Leduc has a B.C.L and LL.B from McGill University. She was placed with the United Nations High Commisioner for Refugees in New Dehli, India. Sandra’s duties have been substantial and varied. She has conducted refugee status determination interviews, is assisting in drafting of the legal unit`s annual protection report and is working on the process of repatriating refugees. Sandra has also undertaken research and writing on the socio-political structure of various countries and on topics of refugee law. Recently, she was given the opportunity tto make an office presentation to the clan system in Somalia. This involved a lot of research and preparatory work, but Sandra truly enjoyed the opportunity. She writes :of one thing I am certain : in eight months, I will have gained incredible knowledge of refugee law- knowledge that no course could have ever taught me. » In addition to having a work experience she qualifies as fascinating, Sandra feels privileged to have been able to experience so much of the Indian culture : « So far, I`ve bathed in the Himalayan Ganges at sunrise with thousands of faithfuls, gone camel riding in the Thar desert, seen both the Pope and the Dalai Lama and celebratted New Year’s on the beaches of Goa. She writes :the work is fascinating, the country is incredible and the food...My only regret is that with so much to see and do, I won’t even have been able to scratch the surface of India. Victoria Ridler About a month ago I received a call from the United Nations Association in Canada offering me a position as a Junior Professional Consultant. I could describe my initial feeling as excitement, but I don’t think it properly represents the experience. Rather, I would describe it as feeling like something was happening, something that I had been waiting for and working toward for a long time. Since a young age, I have felt passionately that I wanted to live in a way that was fully engaged with life and the world around me, to be a participant in how the world changes and transforms. For this reason, I chose to study International Development Studies and Political Science, with the belief that such an education would better my understanding of the operating systems in the world, and with the hope that it would aid in preparing me for meaningful participation. The concern however, is how to get vital initial experience and begin contributing to the work that goes on in the world outside of school. For me that concern was resolved when I received the call from UNA-Canada. I couldn’t have asked or hoped for a better opportunity. The Programme allows young people such as myself to partake in work experience relevant to their education, as a means of making a difference and gaining valuable professional experience. Shortly, I will begin working with the World Food Programme in Ecuador. If there is one sentiment that I would like to express, it is thanks and appreciation for the individuals and institutions that have made this opportunity available to me. This opportunity is not only a first step toward a future career in development, but a step toward meaningfully engaging in the world around me.
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