Alina Aslanian, MPA ’16

International Organization for Migration

July 19, 2016

Alina_Thailand_ILF

As an intern in the Migrant Assistance Unit for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) at the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand part of my daily tasks is the review and revision of project proposals and reports pertaining to return migration and reintegration, with a special focus on vulnerable populations (e.g. victims of trafficking). My experience with IOM has been unique for a few different reasons but most significantly, this is the first time I have been a part of an international intergovernmental organization of this size.

Organizationally, I learned that there is a lot of internal communication that takes place in the regional office prior to communicating with the country offices or headquarters. The multiple levels within the organization can cause confusion, especially when coordination among several different country offices must take place. This experience has definitely improved my communication skills. More specifically, IOM has taught me the art of being diplomatic when communicating, whether it is in reaching out to partners or submitting revisions to country missions. Additionally, having been placed at the Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific, I am gaining the experience of seeing things from a broader point of view. Although I enjoy (and miss) the initial stages of project design, I am learning how to offer critical feedback on already developed project proposals. This, more than anything, has taught me the significance of context. It is thought-provoking to see the differences in the types of intervention designs created all due to cultural and political contexts. On a personal note, what I learned about myself is that being in the field is important for me and it allows me to feel invested at every level. I strongly believe the reason I am able to offer decent inputs in project proposals is due to my previous grassroots experience (as well as personal experience in migration), which allows me to see the projects from a different perspective.

Through this experience, I learned that I want to continue working in the field of international migration. Whether it is an intergovernmental organization like IOM, or with a smaller organization, my broader goal is to continue being a part of international efforts in managing migration. Migration has always been an important topic, but it seems to receive extra attention these days as it is becoming more challenging to manage. Moreover, it is not a phenomenon that will end anytime soon and it does not need to be seen as a problem that needs a solution. On the contrary, it should be seen as, in the words of IOM, “a reality to be managed.” I hope to contribute my part in making migration safer for all migrants, as well as making it a benefitting opportunity for both countries of origin and destination.

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