For the majority of us, twenty-something-year-olds, the decision on which career path to take is a pressing concern. I, like so many of my colleagues and friends who find themselves within this age bracket, am constantly trying to navigate my way towards my ‘chosen path’. It is in being able to ride out this uneven wave of the unknown that I begin to truly build into my own character, understand the world around me and become acquainted with who I really am.

After graduating from Carleton University in 2004, my classmates and I were in a quick scramble to make a very important and defining decision in relation to what our next step would be. Many of my colleagues went on to Teacher’s College, some went on to complete their Master’s and some even left to get married and start their own family. None of these options appealed to me, just yet.

I decided to go with my intuition and pursue an avenue not often explored one that had been brewing inside of me since my second year at Carleton University. Throughout my final two years at Carleton I selected several courses in Development studies, African studies and ethnicity/race relations. I was the numerous hours spent learning about the reality of what was happening in developing nations that I believe I found my own niche.

My initial desire was to apply for an internship with Canadian International Development Agency for six months, to do development work in Africa. After six unsuccessful interviews, having made it to the top two qualified for the position, but always getting the call that they had selected the other applicant I figured I needed to find an alternate route to Africa. I needed to find out if this was ‘my calling’.

During the course of my exploration of an alternative path I came across a school in the USA called the Institute for International Cooperation & Development (IICD). IICD has three sister Institutes across the US: one in Michigan, Massachusetts and California. Although the California campus appealed most to me since I have always dreamed of going there, I thought it best I be close to home for now. So here I am, now volunteering in their Promotions Department with the Canadian inquiries they receive.

IICD offers a unique lifetime experience for volunteers interested in grassroots development work in sub-Saharan Africa. The program requires a 14-month long commitment from participants. The first six months happen at one of the campuses in the USA and are spent training volunteers to become Development Instructors (D.I.). The training includes Action Weeks, which help to prepare the volunteers for their work in Africa. Once you become a volunteer, you do fundraising to help offset the costs associated with your stay in Africa-- but this is done with your entire team. You also begin specializing for your position overseas by learning more about African history, culture, and about the current economic and political situations in the countries you will be going to. There is an orientation on HIV/AIDS, common tropical diseases, counseling training and the Child Aid program objectives. This phase of the program also includes language training, depending upon where in southern Africa you want to go. Currently, Portuguese is the language being offered because there is such a high demand to fill the projects in Mozambique (a former Portuguese colony). Particular attention is paid to courses on poverty and how to tackle this problem at a grassroots level that promotes sustainable development. The training throughout time in the USA also includes: planning and evaluation, outreach activities and actions, art and culture, personal fitness and promotion work to find someone to follow in your footsteps.