My Really Cool Summer Internship

My Really Cool Summer Internship

Written on 8/6/2015

This week I started an internship at CNFM (Council of Women in Madagascar https://cnfmadagascar.wordpress.com) in Antananrivo with another volunteer, Jillian. The organization helps create a support network for female-focused NGO’s and Associations in Madagascar and sensitizes groups about women’s issues in Madagascar and how to take small steps to fight against them.

So far, its been an exciting week getting to know the different people in the office and getting started on our project. For all of August, Jillian and I will be writing posts for their blog about the different associations that are under CNFM’s umbrella. We haven’t started talking to anyone..yet..but have scheduled a few interviews and reached out to many different people.

It’s been really exciting to get back into the world of journalism a little bit, I forgot how much I enjoyed the thrill of getting ready for an interview and thinking about different possible angles and topics for stories. It made me really excited to think about free-lancing while I am back in America...or maybe even while I am here? 

One thing, though, that I haven’t been enjoying is the cold cold temperatures in Tana. Its really only around 50 degrees everyday, but coming from living in a place for a year where the coldest it gets is 70 degrees, I haven’t been transitioning well. I know for many of my Wisconsin and Minnesota friends and family, 50 degrees being “cold” sounds like a joke! But I promise you, its different here. There isn’t indoor heating (besides a wonderful fireplace at our host mama’s house). So you are cold ALL DAY.

I’ve officially caught a cold, and my host mama is worried about me. She has had volunteers for CNFM stay with her before. But its been a while since she has had Peace Corps Volunteers. We are a strong group, and we’ve gotten through tougher sickness than a common cold. This cold has nothing on me (I say as I have four layers of sweaters on, two pairs of socks, leggings under my jeans and a hat on).

But really, it should be a really interesting summer and I am excited for the adventures of interviewing to begin. We should have our first interview in just a few minutes! Wish me luck!