Last year when I formally completed my Bachelor in International Relations and International Organizations at the RUG, I realized that I was not ready to move on yet without an abroad experience and decided to extend my studies with a placement. The aim was (1) to gain relevant working experience, (2) to get to know the diplomatic field, and (3) to understand my own interests and strengths better in order to make an informed master decision. I was beyond happy when I received the great news that I was accepted for an internship position with a focus on trade and economics at the Dutch Embassy in South Africa.

During my six-month long internship, I was active in the Climate and Innovation theme groups of the policy department. As one would expect from diplomatic work, my tasks and activities were very diverse. To give some examples: I helped with the organization of a trade mission on green hydrogen and a student hackathon on digital twins, I did desktop research about Dutch climate adaptation efforts, and I wrote a diplomatic cable about South Africa’s forecasted position during COP-27. My two proudest achievements are that I set up the basic structure for an internal working group that strives to make the Dutch diplomatic missions in South Africa more sustainable, and that I successfully organized a networking event for local entrepreneurs that participated in the South Africa Orange Corners program. Finally, it was a pleasure to go on interesting field visits together with policy officers.

Next to gaining new skills and (self-)knowledge throughout my internship period, I was also able to learn more about the country, culture, and its people. This was possible only to a limited extend in Pretoria; the city is known for the many white South Africans that reside there and thus does not show a fair representation of the country’s diversity. Therefore, I tried to explore and travel as much as possible during my free time together with friends and family. I travelled to Cape Town, Kruger Park, eSwatini, Lesotho, Drakensberge region, amongst other highlights. Cycling through the Soweto slums (‘townships’) was a humbling experience. Whenever I could during my stay, I tried to engage with the people in South Africa. There are many things we can learn from them, for instance their sense for community and togetherness called Ubuntu (‘I am because we/you are’). Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoyed the amazing nature and wildlife of the country.

Of course, I also had to deal with some country-specific challenges during my stay. South Africa has some structural nation-wide issues like a lack of energy (which leads to ‘load-shedding’), water shortages, corruption, criminality, and inequality. It taught me not take things for granted anymore at home, such as access to a sufficient amount of electricity and high-quality public transport. These things were just not common sensual in South Africa.

To conclude I would like to express my gratitude to GUF for their financial support which made my internship abroad possible. I can recommend a diplomatic internship because it enriches you as a student in many different ways. I encourage anyone who still has questions or wonders what it really is like to intern at an Embassy and/or in South Africa to get in touch with me via romynijhof1@hotmail.com.