A little about myself...

I am a student at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am a second generation South African Chinese born citizen. I am always willing to learn new things and consider other different points of views. An interesting fact about me is that according to developments in South African law; legally I am racially classified as being categorised ‘black’.

Why did I apply to this program?

Besides being able to experience a new culture and new ways of doing things I see this program as an opportunity to gain an essential learning experience as well as to gain valuable work experience. With respect to environmental sustainability both the United States and South Africa face relatively the same problem therefore it will be interesting to see how the United States attempts to address the issue of environmental sustainability.
In addition I see this opportunity as the greatest personal challenge because this will be the first time that I will be away from home for a significant amount of time.

The one UN Millennium Development Goal which I am most interested in...

As a development studies student, I am interested in all of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals but the one goal that I am most interested in is the goal of ensuring present and future environmental sustainability.

What do you want to accomplish during this internship?

This internship will be both an academic and personal challenge. During this internship the most important thing is that I want to learn. I want to gain new skills and experiences. I want to develop myself both academically and professionally; and I see this internship as the opportunity with which I can do this. I hope to excel in both the field work and the classroom. Eventually I want to be able to fully and effectively utilise the knowledge that I learn and be able to apply what I have been taught and what I have experienced to help South Africa on its developmental path. At the end of my internship, I want to look back and be able to see all the changes, positive impacts and benefits the program has given me.

How is participating in this program going to help you, your community or your country in the future?

I hope to use what I have learnt and experienced to help South Africa on its developmental path. One challenge that faces South Africa’s development, particularly as South Africa struggles with its energy issues, is the issue of ensuring environmental sustainability. What I learn and what I experience in Washington will help me help South Africa to find a solution to the issue of ensuring environmental sustainability without compromising economic growth.