By: Saumya Sara Abraham
As a graduate student in Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, I have spent much of my academic training immersed in policy design, governance frameworks, and the complexities of international development. Yet, no classroom could fully prepare me for the nuanced, on-the-ground learning I experienced as a Junior Professional Consultant (JPC) at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lao PDR. This internship coordinated through the International Internship Program for Students (IIPS) offered me a unique opportunity to engage directly with some of the most pressing policy and development challenges faced by one of Asia’s most rapidly evolving nations.
More than an internship, this placement was a transformational learning experience, one that refined my skillset, deepened my global perspective, and solidified my aspiration to work at the intersection of governance, inclusive development, and international cooperation.
Stepping into the Development Arena
I was embedded within the Economist Team, a strategic unit working closely with the Government of Lao PDR to advance national development priorities. From the outset, I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities across multiple high-level workstreams, ranging from donor engagement and results reporting to macroeconomic strategy support and inclusive financing
dialogues.
One of the cornerstone projects I contributed to was the preparation of the 10th National SocioEconomic Development Plan (NSEDP) Financing Strategy, a key policy instrument that aligns Lao PDR’s economic trajectory with it ambition for inclusive and sustainable growth. My responsibilities included preparing background notes for a two-day consultative workshop with the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), which brought together national stakeholders and international development partners to align financing needs, strategies, and implementation pathways. Being present for these multi-stakeholder dialogues broadened my understanding of development finance and deepened my appreciation for policy coordination in practice where
ambition must constantly meet fiscal reality.
Alongside this, I was involved in drafting results narratives and tracking indicators for the National Planning and Financing for Inclusive Development (NPFID) project, a multi-year initiative supported by New Zealand and USAID. These narratives contributed directly to donor reporting efforts and informed strategic discussions on planning reforms, results-based management, and capacity building across ministries. The process sharpened my ability to synthesise complex information and frame it within results frameworks aligned with the SDGs and national priorities.
A particularly meaningful moment came when a development indicators fact sheet, I created was used by the Resident Representative in high-level meetings. Knowing that my research had a tangible application in strategic dialogues was not only validating but emblematic of UNDP’s commitment to integrating junior professionals as active contributors to the organisation’s broader mission.
Lessons Beyond the Office Walls
My experience in Lao PDR extended well beyond the profession. As an international student accustomed to adapting across cultural and institutional contexts, I arrived in Vientiane with a flexible mindset and a willingness to learn. Having already bridged two cultures through my studies in Canada, I found that this experience helped ease my transition into Lao PDR allowing me to engage with colleagues, government officials, and the community with respect and humility.
Daily life in Vientiane was filled with quiet lessons: the importance of building trust slowly, the value of listening deeply, and the richness that comes from stepping out of your comfort zone. I found inspiration in the resilience and professionalism of national staff who worked tirelessly to push forward development agendas in health, education, governance, and economic resilience.
Despite language barriers and operational constraints, the UNDP team was warm, supportive, and committed to fostering a culture of membership and inclusion. My supervisors created space from curiosity, welcomed questions, and encouraged me to see the broader system implications of even the smallest task. Weekly check-ins, team presentations, and informal mentoring enriched my dayto-day learning and embedded me more fully within the organisational fabric.
A New Lens on My Future
This fellowship has fundamentally reshaped how I understand development work not as an abstract policy agenda, but as a dynamic interplay of economics, politics, values, and partnerships. It has taught me to think strategically, communicate clearly, and act with a sense of responsibility. I now feel better equipped to contribute meaningfully to roles in multilateral institutions, government strategy units, or policy research organisations focused on inclusive growth, institutional reform,
and sustainable development.
Perhaps more importantly, this experience has reaffirmed my commitment to working in spaces where ideas are translated into action where global frameworks like the SDGs are localised through community input, national ambition, and donor cooperation. I am leaving this placement with a renewed sense of purpose, strengthened professional competencies, and a deeper appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that shapes international cooperation.
Final Reflections
This internship was a transformative experience that reshaped my understanding of international development, governance, and the power of collaborative action. Being embedded within the UNDP Lao PDR country office offered me a rare vantage point into the day-to-day realities of development cooperation from policy dialogues and strategic foresight workshops to results
reporting and stakeholder engagement.
This fellowship was also a deeply personal journey, navigating a new professional environment in a cross-cultural context sharpened my adaptability and strengthened my belief in diplomacy rooted in humility. I leave this experience with practical tools, insight and a renewed sense of purpose to contribute meaningfully to inclusive, sustainable, and locally owned development efforts.
