Saumya Sara Abraham, Master's in Public and International Affairs, 1st year
Internship country: Laos
Canadian NGO: UNAC
Local NGO: UNDP Lao PDR
As I approach the final stretch of my internship with the Economist Team at UNDP Lao PDR, I find myself reflecting on how deeply the experience has reshaped my understanding of policy work not as a static application of theory, but as a dynamic, iterative process rooted in relationships, structure, and local context.
Over the past few weeks, my focus has shifted toward development financing an area I had previously explored only in abstract terms. Working on the 10th National Socio – Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) Financing Strategy Consultative Workshop, I’ve been exposed to high-level conversation on domestic resource mobilisation, green finance, and institutional coordination. Support preparations for the event from briefing note drafting to documenting deliberations was a chance to witness how technical dialogue translates into collaborative policy building between government, donors, and multilateral partners.
One of the most intellectually enriching aspects of the internship has been contributing to reporting narratives for donor-funded projects, such as the National Planning and Financing for Inclusive Development (NPFID) programme. Here, the ability to balance accountability, storytelling, and technical clarity became especially critical. I’ve also supported internal strategy tracking and institutional landscape mapping for the Country Programme Document (CPD) mid-cycle review, enhancing my understanding of results-based management tools and the logic underpinning programmatic decision-making.
What stands out is how seamlessly my academic background in public policy has interfaced with my day-to-day work. Theories on multilevel governance, policy instruments, and development effectiveness now hold tangible meaning when I see how they interact in real-time often shaped by constraints like institutional capacity, aid conditionality, and geopolitical complexity. It’s also been humbling to realise that policy influence is rarely about offering perfect solutions, but rather about navigating trade-offs, building consensus, and communicating evidence clearly.
Just as important as the policy content has been the organisational culture I’ve encountered. The UNDP office fosters a collaborative environment where interns are not merely observers, but trusted contributors. While expectations are high, so is the mentorship. Colleagues are generous with their time, and I’ve received thoughtful feedback that has sharpened my writing, analysis, and even soft skills like diplomacy and cross-cultural communication.
As I wrap up this chapter, I feel more confident in my technical skills and in my professional identity. This internship has given me first-hand exposure to how development work is structured, delivered, and evaluated, and has reaffirmed my aspiration to work in spaces where rigour, equity, and policy impact intersect. From theoretical models in the classroom to navigating development strategy tables in Vientiane, the journey has been grounding and enriching.