Westminster interns embark on fourth year of internships at United Nations Migration Agency

Following a competitive selection process, 13 students from the University have been selected for prestigious long-term internships with the United Nations Migration Agency, also known as the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in their offices around the world, ranging from Geneva and Vienna to Botswana, Tunisia and Costa Rica.  

These exclusive internships are the result of an institutional agreement signed in 2022 between the University of Westminster and the IOM. The partnership offers funded, four- to nine-month internships open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across the University, with the aim of creating access to world-class professional opportunities in international development, policy-making and humanitarian work.  

To ensure equitable access from students from all backgrounds, the internships are financially supported by a combination of University resources dedicated to outward mobility as well as the support of Westminster alumnus and donor Ken Subraj. Thanks to this support, Westminster has become IOM’s largest academic partner.  

Year after year, internships have offered transformative experiences to Westminster students. Jean-Charles Munongo, a Diplomacy and Global Politics MA student interning at IOM’s headquarters in Geneva, said: “[It is] a professional experience like no other! To be at the heart of an international organisation like the IOM is a privilege. From meeting with fellow interns to exchanging ideas with the Director General and representatives of permanent missions, this transition from theory to practice has been smooth, empowering and inspiring.”

Charlene Okai, a Politics and International Relations BA Honours student, currently serving as a Project Support Intern at IOM Botswana, added: “This internship has been the most defining chapter of my professional journey so far. From engaging with high-level officials to contributing to cross-sectoral projects, it has broadened my perspective and refined the way I approach decision-making - skills I know will serve me well in a future diplomatic career.”

While gaining high-level professional experience in fields ranging from migration, health policy and climate resilience, interns also experience significant personal growth as they experience new cultures at their duty stations.

Kamilah Abou-Elmajd, a Politics and International Relations MA student, said: “Working alongside professionals in the field of international migration has deepened my understanding of humanitarian work and global cooperation. Living in a new country has pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow both personally and professionally. This opportunity is shaping my aspirations for a future career in international relations and development.” 

Top left: Jean-Charles Munongo, bottom left: Carol Tellez Conteras, right panel (left to right): Aisha Tahliil, Charlene Okai.

With Westminster interns currently stationed in countries such as Botswana, Costa Rica, Tunisia and Austria, the IOM internship programme is delivering tangible, long-term benefits. Many former interns have successfully leveraged their experiences to secure consultancy and colleague positions at IOM and other international organisations following the end of their internships, turning these opportunities into long-term career paths.  

Mariam Kutkut, an Arabic and Global Communication BA Honours student, now has a full time staff position as a Communication Officer in IOM Romania after successfully completing her nine -month internship at IOM Geneva last year. She said: “The internship was instrumental in preparing me for my role today, giving me a solid foundation in key areas that are highly relevant to my current work, particularly labour migration in Romania and emergency response in the context of the Ukraine crisis.” 

Reflecting on the strength and breadth of this partnership, Dr Sahar Taghdisi Rad, the Employability Director for the School of Social Sciences, said: “Now in its fourth year, our successful partnership with IOM continues to grow stronger, providing an increasing number of internship opportunities and allowing Westminster students to benefit from multiple workshops and seminars led by senior IOM officials on campus. This outstanding collaboration has significantly enhanced Westminster’s visibility within international organisational networks, paving the way for new collaborations with institutions such as the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) and the global career platform Impactpool, resulting in more internship and fellowship opportunities for our students.”

Professor Dibyesh Anand, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employment. Added: “In a world marked by contestations and inequities, it is clear that international organisations require talent of young people from diverse backgrounds; they need universities like ours to partner to ensure fair opportunities. We are immensely proud of this programme where our students, some from social backgrounds that are under-represented in international organisations, get the experience of internship, learn new things, and contribute.”

The programme contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10: Reduced Inequalities, 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnership for Goals. As Westminster continues to advance its global engagement strategy, programmes like this set a new benchmark for inclusive international education and mobility. 

Find out more about Politics and International Relations courses at the University of Westminster.

To find out how you or your company can sponsor these internships, contact the University of Westminster Development Team.