Internship report at IOM-Migration Research & Training Center

 

For last two months, I have worked at IOM-Migration Research & Training Center, a research institute which studies migration issues. Although I have worked for the Office of Planning and Co-ordination, I can definitely say my internship at IOM-MRTC was one of the most helpful experiences to cover various aspects on human rights studies especially on migration issues.

I had been accepted to work at IOM-MRTC for a project which is publishing semi-annual source book on migration policies. We have researched all the policies on migration from the central government and local government. All the projects and policies look nice and seem creative for humanitarian work. On the other hand many abused cases have been discovered when we researched media trend on migration issues to put in the source book. Just like a coin, some policies gave overlapped benefits to same objects, some others are abused by astute objects. Although the motivation which was set to make people have adequate life in a new society, many problems have been found day by day when it is practiced. 

Two more interns have worked with me. Chief and supervisor suggested us to study and analyze a thesis on migration issue and have presentation on thesis on migration issue every Friday. I first did presentation on Urban Citizenship and the Right to the City in cities in the United Arab Emirates (2012, Kühl), people commented the subject was very new for them. We chose different thesis such as Turkish immigrants in Germany, Asylum seekers from Korea cases in Canada and Migration management the International Organization for Migration. This study program helped deepen understanding on situations of immigrants in the world in reality and system of IOM practically and academically.

I became a judge for a UCC contest named Plural during my internship, the UCCs came from all around the world where people have issues on migration, I got to understand how migrants feel through the videos. I felt difficult to have empathy enough especially on the Middle East issues, however I even dropped tears when I was watching videos which deal with Refugees in Kenya and Syrian refugees for Christians in Lebanon.

     As I mentioned above, the experience to work at IOM-MRCT was definitely great experience to know migration issues in human rights area and human rights issues in migration area. The experience have deepen much greater understanding the social problems for immigrants, migrants and refugee matters in the world, and the systems which deal with migration issues through sourcebook project, study and UCC judgment.