Lindsey Cambridge, TLM ’18

DPMI Rwanda  with Partners in Health

I have many takeaways my experience with the DPMI program in
Rwanda. As a student in the translation and localization management program, and with no professional or academic experience with international development and social marketing, almost everything in the course was new to me. I had never heard of such concepts as fishbone analysis, outcomes map, results framework, indicators, or exchange theory. It was very interesting to not only learn these theories and practices but to put them to use in a project as well.

I learned that a fishbone diagram is an effective tool in the problem-solving process because it allows one to think about all the possible causes of a problem, which then makes it easier to narrow the focus as to what causes an individual or group wants to address. I plan to use the fishbone diagram as a problem-solving tool for future projects. Another effective tool is the results framework, which can be used for planning and management. It was interesting to see the breakdown from the direct objective to the intermediate result, and sub-intermediate results to the cross-cutting pillars. I found that my group really had a clearer focus of our strategy once we really analyzed and fine-tuned our results framework.

This was an interesting experience in that it was my first time working in a team in such a unique setting. That is, working closely in a foreign environment every day for several hours. Thankfully, the dynamics within my group were rather harmonious. On the first day, my team members and I laid out ground rules as to how our team would function. These ground rules included thinking outside of the box and not shooting down others’ ideas. They also included a diplomatic approach to handling any conflicts between group members. If the conflict were to arise, there would be a mediator to hear both sides of the argument and then work to resolve the conflict. Overall, my experience working with my team was a positive one. I will consider using teamwork guidelines for other group projects. It was refreshing to have everyone’s expectations upfront rather than trying to figure out the group dynamics through trial and error.

Being a translation and localization management student as opposed to an international policy and development student, the question on many of my peers’ minds was whether I felt I was getting anything out of the program. I am happy to say that many aspects of the course and many of the tools learned are applicable to my area of study. Problem-solving is an aspect of almost every profession, and having the skills to analyze these problems will be very useful. Additionally, any tool dealing with planning and management, such as the results framework, will be useful as well. One potential career outcome in my chosen field is localization project manager. In my opinion, an effective project manager works well with a team, makes good use of management tools and strategies, and communicates effectively, and these skills were all touched upon during the program. These skills could apply to any project manager whether he or she works in development or in translation.Even though the program occurred over a short time, I can say with certainty that I am not the same person I was when the program began. In only two weeks, I had completed my first voyage to Africa, learned more about development work, acquired useful problem-solving skills and learned more about myself both personally and professionally.

Field trip to the orphanage, Les Enfants de Dieu

Back to Rwanda Page