I am a psychology student who recently started an internship with YUVA and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It’s motivating to be part of an organisation that cares about society and its employees.

Despite the obstacles that have arisen due to the Covid-19 pandemic, YUVA has ensured that the internship experience remains exciting and memorable even after shifting online.

My experience so far

I first heard of YUVA while searching for some NGOs to volunteer at. After doing some research, I was very impressed by all the work done by the organisation to help Mauritian society break the cycle of poverty. Applying for the internship through the YUVA website was relatively easy, with all the necessary information there. I was pretty surprised that on the same day, I got a response, and an interview was scheduled as well. During the interview, I was given some more information about the internship and discussed how to contribute to the company.

Working in a virtual setting might be challenging, but YUVA ensured effective communication through online meetings or emails. Among my first tasks, I got the opportunity to share my research through multiple articles on YUVA’s website. Being a young adult myself, I chose topics that people have once experienced in their lives. Along with the support and guidance of my supervisors, I was constantly motivated to be my best self. After having had a great experience so far, here are five reasons why I chose to intern at YUVA Mauritius.

Why did I choose to intern at YUVA?

1.   Opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the society

Working as an intern at YUVA provided me with an excellent opportunity to work closely on societal issues and contribute to Mauritian society. These issues include the education, health, empowerment and employment of children and youth in Mauritius. As a result, being a part of YUVA’s efforts to break the cycle of poverty provides a sense of job satisfaction and self-motivation to do more for society.

2.   Applying and developing skills

This internship allows me to develop new skills and put my existing ones into practice, such as management. In addition, I was able to show my writing skills in articles and help to increase awareness on topics such as body shaming and mental health.

3.   Flexible work environment

Since this is a virtual internship, it is more flexible. As long as there is an internet connection, the work can be done and completed anywhere, whether at home or outside. Additionally, the working hours can also be adjusted to fit our schedules. Instead of working on a strict schedule, interns can even use their free time or weekends to complete their assignments.

4.   Opportunity to learn about and use digital tools

With the Covid-19 pandemic, many organisations have to switch from working in an office to working from home. However, working virtually differs significantly from working in a face-to-face environment. Therefore, it is becoming more critical for people to use digital tools to interact online. Interning at YUVA virtually has allowed me to use these digital tools, such as email and video conferencing.

5.   Enhance employability

An internship at an award-winning NGO such as YUVA can help to enhance employability, as having this experience can strengthen your resume for future jobs. Finally, this internship develops professional discipline in your career path.

Mansi Thaneswari Hursahye, YUVA Intern and Psychological Science student at Curtin University (Mauritius)