"Since the first day of my internship I knew that this opportunity would change the rest of my life. I was attracted to the title of this position as it was advertised as a health geomatics position. I never imaged where I would go. The position was to be partly fulfilled in Ottawa and the later half in South Africa.

We have been fortunate to attended the conference of the decade, the World Summit on Sustainable Development. This event has been an experience of a lifetime. During the summit we have interacted with many international agencies all with a similar agenda but with a wide range of ideas. The fieldwork will begin early October and this work will consist of travelling throughout the country. I will be conducting fieldwork in the two Afrikaans provinces, the Western and Northern provinces of South Africa. I look forward to both the new language and the unique environment.

The first three months of my internship have forever changed me. I never imagined that I would ever work in an international field and now I cannot see myself anywhere else. With this position, I am challenged each day and continue to learn so much about everyday living. The experience of the World Summit unveiled a whole world of issues, topics and interests for me. I have made so many international contacts at the function all of whom I intend to keep in contact with. As it presently stands I am planning to continue with CIET after the six-month internship at their request. This program has given me so much confidence in my educational capabilities and has helped me broaden my horizons. I have learned to deliver presentations to groups, prepare reports, and work with a diversity of education levels and language barriers. I never would have pictured myself here even one year ago now I see the possibilities to be endless.

Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity."

Jodi - South Africa, 2002