In June this year, 2024, the opportunity to do an internship at Somali Public Agenda presented itself when I received a call from the SPA’s Center for Learning and Development announcing an open call for applicants. All interested candidates were required to take an exam and participate in an interview to determine the most qualified individual for the position. A week later, I was thrilled to be informed that I had been selected for the internship. As my three-month internship comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on the many lessons I have learned and the significant personal and professional growth I have achieved – a journey I take great pride in reflecting upon.

From day one, the SPA team made a profound and lasting impact through their warm welcome, insightful guidance, and genuine humility. Their unwavering support continually inspired me to engage more deeply within such a positive and nurturing environment. This internship allowed me to work closely with different departments, including human resources, finance, and procurement. Also, I was responsible for drafting the minutes of SPA meetings. These experiences helped me understand the organization’s internal operations and how each team work together to achieve the overall institutional goals.

The Center for Learning and Development, responsible for overseeing intern trainees, provided me with a range of capacity-building courses. Each course significantly enhanced my knowledge, and the overall experience has been immensely enriching. Upon completing each course, I submitted detailed feedback to my supervisor and mentor, Farhan Isak, the director of the SPA’s Center for Learning and Development. Additionally, I am privileged to participate in ongoing training programs, including Blog Writing Training and an ongoing Research Training. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to SPA’s Center for Learning and Development for providing me with this invaluable learning opportunity.

After a month of working with the operations team and the Center for Learning and Development, I transitioned to the research team, where I gained invaluable learning experience. I had the opportunity to collaborate with researchers, write interview transcripts, and read and review research drafts, which significantly broadened my understanding of various topics related to the research papers. This exposure gave me firsthand insight into how evidence-based research is crucial in enhancing public services.

During my time at Somali Public Agenda, I also involved in organizing Public Agenda forums such as Gaxwo & Gorfeyn monthly meet-up. These events were designed to bring together experts, stakeholders, and the public to discuss important issues and exchange ideas on addressing them. Organizing these forums taught me valuable event planning, coordination, and communication skills.

One of the highlights of my internship was representing SPA at the Jiilka Maanta Festival organized by Elman Peace. This vibrant event celebrated Somali youth culture and their potential to drive positive social change. It was dedicated to empowering youth with the knowledge and skills to shape their future. I felt honored to represent Somali Public Agenda at such an important event and witness the enthusiasm and energy of Somali youth committed to making a difference.

during my internship period, I had a wonderful experience in the library. I had access to a diverse collection of books and the opportunity to borrow materials that enriched my understanding of history, politics, literature, and Somali studies. The library indeed offered a wealth of resources across various subjects. Furthermore, I was immersed in the culture of learning, called SPA learning, which is a series of sessions held once every month. In each session, one of the SPA team members selects a book of his/her choice, summarizes it and presents to all team members. These sessions provided a remarkable opportunity for enlightenment and knowledge sharing among colleagues.

Overall, this internship has been an immensely rewarding experience. My time at SPA has been a transformative period; I have acquired valuable skills, gained more knowledge, and connected with professionals who are committed to being the change we aspire to see in Somalia. I want to extend my genuine gratitude to Somali Public Agenda for allowing me to work alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals, as well as for the invaluable support and guidance I received throughout my internship. I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills I have gained in my future professional endeavors.

I want to seize this valuable opportunity of reflection to express my gratitude to the SPA’s Director and Deputy Director,  Mahad  Wasuge and  Farhan Isak, for their guidance; my dear friends Farhia Mohamud  and Aweis Ahmed for their recommendations and warm welcome; to the operation team, Idil Omar, Qamar Osman, Sadia Ma’ow, for their unwavering dedication to train me and their invaluable guidance and support; SPA’s manager of Public Agenda Forum, Mohamed Adam, and Ibrahim Jibril, a researcher; SPA’s diligent communication team, Abbas Mohamed, Jacfar Mohamed, and Ibrahim Osman, for their generous offer of assistance, in supporting the ongoing research projects and organizing forums and events. Last but certainly not least, to the SPA’s support team, Maryan, Abdulkadir, Abdirizak, and the security. Each of you has played a significant role in my journey, and I am deeply grateful for your support. Thank you all.

Marwa Abdulkadir Mohamed