MIEA Ambassadors

McGill International Experience Awardees return to McGill University as MIEA Ambassadors. The primary role of an MIEA Ambassador is to share the impact of their international experience with the McGill community. Through this leadership opportunity, McGill International Experience Awardees take a step back to reflect on their transformative experience, as well as connect with other McGill students across faculties to inspire the future cohort of McGill International Experience Awardees.

To apply to become an MIEA Ambassador, download the application instructions: PDF icon MIEA Ambassadors [.pdf]

Meet the 2021-2022 MIEA Ambassadors

Samuel BalcazarSamuel Balcazar, BA. Economics and Finance

My name is Samuel Balcazar, and I am a final year student in the Joint Honours program in Economics and Finance, with a minor in International Development Studies. I was fortunate to be a recipient of the Schull Yang International Experience Awards to intern with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Ecuador throughout the summer of 2021. Working alongside the finance department, I supported the team in matters of budgeting, financial forecasts, and financial data analysis. I learned about the importance of maintaining internal financial and accounting practices to guarantee operational efficiency and support the organization in fulfilling its mandate.

This eye-opening opportunity allowed me to explore the overlap of finance and development in the context of the Latin American region, which solidified my interest in pursuing community-impactful roles upon graduation. As an Ecuadorian citizen, the purpose of this internship was very personal, and this experience facilitated my involvement in the process of social change that I hope to continue witnessing in the future of Ecuador. Without the MIEA and the generosity of its donors, I would not have been able to embark on this rewarding journey. I would also like to thank the McGill community for supporting this momentous step in my academic and professional career.

Heleena De OliveiraHeleena De Oliveira, BA. Political Science and Anthropology

My name is Heleena De Oliveira, and I am a final year Bachelor of Arts student, double majoring in Political Science and Anthropology. I received the Susan Casey Brown Fund for McGill, McGill International Experience Awards, for participating in a virtual summer internship at Synergos Institute, located in New York, in 2021. My position at Synergos was that of ‘Philanthropy Intern’. In my capacity as Philanthropy Intern, some of my tasks consisted of data coordination, prospect research and other philanthropic research, copyediting and writing, marketing and online programming support, and participation in working groups and other staff meetings. Some of the research I conducted included investigating sustainable food system groups across the globe towards the goal of facilitating Synergos’ own sustainable food systems group. Additionally, I was tasked with curating climate change news articles each month on the organization’s behalf. I was also extremely fortunate to have been able to contribute to and attend Synergos’ online Global Gathering event, where I was given the opportunity to connect with Indigenous and climate activists who were invited to speak.

This internship gave me great insight to the world of philanthropy. During my time at Synergos I was able to form my own opinions on the degree to which philanthropy can and cannot be conducive to social change. This internship has driven me to think very carefully about the ways in which I want to enact change in my own career and has reinforced my interest in pursuing humanitarian work in the future.

I want to extend my thanks to Mr. Brown, Mr. Schull, and Ms. Yang, whose generous donation to students at McGill made this experience possible for me!

Flemming KondrupFlemming Kondrup, BSc. Anatomy and Cell Biology

My name is Flemming Kondrup and I am a senior Honours student in Anatomy and Cell Biology. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Awards to expand my involvement in liver cancer research. My field of focus was intra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), an aggressive cancer of the bile ducts within the liver. Through an international collaboration between the McGill University Health Centre and the University of Verona, we were able to improve our understanding of the disease, its tumor microenvironment and the associated immune response. We strongly believe this will open doors for novel therapeutic avenues and lead to improved patient care. This was not only an amazing opportunity to build my skillset as a scientist, but also to get exposure to the clinical aspect of medical research. Thanks to the Schull Yang International Experience Awards, I was able to work with highly renowned mentors from across the world, which only strengthened my passion for research and conviction to pursue graduate studies.

Niamh LeonardNiamh Leonard, BCL/JD

My name is Niamh Leonard and I am in the final year of my BCL/JD law degree at McGill University. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Awards for my legal externship at the Citizen Lab. The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory based at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy at the University of Toronto that focuses on research, development, and high-level strategic policy and legal engagement at the intersection of information and communication technologies, human rights, and global security.
During my time at the Citizen Lab, my work focused on two projects: (1) researching and drafting an academic article on how greater government and corporate transparency requirements regarding the export of surveillance technologies can prevent human rights harms and (2) conducting and transcribing interviews for an ongoing study about how governments use digital tools to repress political dissent across borders. This work allowed me to deepen my understanding of international law, trade law, national security, and human rights. 
My internship only strengthened my resolve to use the law as a tool to address injustice, promote human rights, and strengthen democracy. I am grateful for the support that made it possible.

Harry LiangHarry Liang, BEng. Mining Engineering

My name is Harry Liang, and I am a third-year student in Mining Engineering, with interests in aerospace engineering and satellite applications. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Awards in 2021 for my summer internship in remote sensing at Xi’an Coal Aerial Remote Sensing Information Ltd., a geodata collecting and processing agency under China National Administration of Coal Geology Aerial and Remote Sensing Corporation. I undertook the responsibilities of measuring geological deformations at mine sites, encoding recorded geologic hazard events, and analyzing the hydraulic characteristics with InSAR-based dataset.
Despite difficulties such as the remote working environment due to the pandemic and my limited knowledge in the remote sensing industry, I managed to accomplish my tasks through taking initiatives and intensive teamwork. The internship has not only offered me the knowledge and skills required in the field of remote sensing, but also granted me access to the general engineering standards for professional competence. Apart from researching, problem solving, communication and online working skills, I also gained firsthand experience in the actual mining and information industry in China, revealing new motivations and emphasis on social concerns that will ultimately affect my future career.
Without the support from Schull Yang International Experience Awards, I wouldn’t have been able to seize this precious opportunity. Moreover, it allowed me to concentrate on the tasks without other concerns, introduced me to other outstanding peers at McGill, and opened the possibility of further international activities in the future, which has enlightened the paths of profession for numerous students.

Layla RazekLalya Razek, BSc. Biology

My name is Layla Razek, and I am in my final year of a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Biology and a minor in Political Science. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Awards for my summer internship looking at transgender discrimination in Rio de Janeiro, supervised by Dr. Paula Luz at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation in Brazil and Dr. Brett Thombs from McGill University. My main responsibility was to identify a research question based on available data, and to then conduct a multivariate analysis based on a literature review. My supervisors and I decided to investigate risk factors for discrimination among transgender women in Rio de Janeiro.
The greatest impact this project had for me was to bolster my confidence. I also realized that I am passionate about combining research with social justice issues, especially on topics and communities that are marginalized or stigmatized. This project has made me view research as a great privilege and moving forward, I hope to amplify the voices of those who are affected by research rather than solely conducting it at a distance. I am extremely grateful to Mr. Schull and Ms. Yang for making this experience possible!

Chlöe Shahinian standing on McTavish streetChlöe Shahinian, MA. Political Science

My name is Chlöe Shahinian and I am a second-year graduate student pursuing my Master’s in the department of Political Science, with a specialization in International Relations. I received the Susan Casey Brown Fund for McGill, McGill International Experience Awards, for my Summer 2021 internship at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (VOSCE). In my capacity as a Policy Intern at the VOSCE I was able to witness ‘diplomacy in practice.’ I attended OSCE-organized conferences and weekly Permanent Council meetings; I drafted event reports which were circulated to VOSCE staff and Global Affairs Canada staff in Ottawa; and I worked on a long-term project for the delegation which looked at ‘gender language’ use in OSCE participating State commitments.


The work opportunities presented to me throughout my internship strengthened my writing, research, and communication skills, which will serve me well in my current and future academic pursuits. Moreover, my experience at the VOSCE reinforced my own interests in pursuing legal studies in international law upon the completion of my Master’s degree. I am immensely thankful to my award’s donors for funding this ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity.

Ghali Zbadi HeadshotGhali Zbadi, BEng. Mining Engineering

My name is Ghali Zbadi and I am a fourth-year mining engineering student. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Awards in 2021 for my summer internship in geology and exploration at Atlantis Metal, an engineering consulting firm that operates in the Anti-Atlas mountains in Morocco. I was tasked with writing geological reports on mining permits for clients, interpreting geophysical survey data and mapping different mining perimeters on GIS software.

Although I was not able to work in the field due to the ongoing pandemic, I was given the opportunity to perform my tasks remotely from home and I was successful in fulfilling my learning objectives. This experience was beneficial not only from a technical standpoint but also from an interpersonal perspective as I was in constant communication with government representatives, clients, and local communities. My summer internship was truly an excellent addition to my engineering training and solidified my interest in the mining industry.

This whole experience was made possible by Mr. Schull and Ms. Yang, the generous donors of the Schull Yang International Experience Awards who helped me cover my travel and living expenses in Morocco.

Melody ZhouMelody Zhou, BA&Sc. Cognitive Science

My name is Melody Zhou, and I am a fourth-year Bachelor of Arts and Science student majoring in Cognitive Science and minoring in Social Studies of Medicine. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Awards for the summer of 2021. I had the opportunity to complete a remote research internship for the University of Melbourne's Department of Anatomy and Physiology. I worked under the supervision of Dr. Joel Bornstein in the Bornstein Laboratory in the field of enteric neuroscience. In my project, I investigated the effects of early-life antibiotic treatment in male and female mice models. Although I could not travel to Australia because of the COVID pandemic, I was able to conduct image analysis remotely and build connections with the other lab members through weekly Zoom meetings.

The funding from this award allowed me to dedicate a solid amount of time to research topics that I am passionate about, as well as connect to members from a university that I was unable to attend in person. I am very grateful that I was still able to form connections on an international level despite the pandemic and travel restrictions.

MIEA Past Ambassadors

Julia in front of Arts buildingJulia Nguyen, BA, Political Science

My name is Julia Nguyen, I graduated in Fall 2019, with a Bachelor of Arts double majoring in Political Science and Economics. I received the Susan Casey Brown Fund for McGill, McGill International Experience Awards in 2019 for my internship at the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei (CTOT). I was mainly responsible for drafting reports, monitoring the news and trends that affect Canadian interests in Taiwan, and engaging with different Taiwanese stakeholders such as politicians, civil society members, and business leaders.
My experience at CTOT truly deepened my interest in international relations and honed my language skills. It also allowed me to get a glimpse of the day-to-day life of a foreign service officer, which is a career path that I am interested in pursuing.
This journey opened many doors in terms of my professional development. Upon graduating from McGill, I had the opportunity to work at UNDP Cambodia as Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) intern, and am currently a Project Coordinator for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada – both of which are directly in line with my deep interest for Asia.

MehlkaMehlka Mustansir, Bachelor of Civil Law Juris Doctor

My name is Mehlka and I am a second-year student at McGill's Faculty of Law. I received the Schull Yang International Experience Award to complete the McGill Law Human Rights Internship Program in summer 2020, at the Ateneo Human Rights Center situated in Manila, Philippines. The Center carries out research, advocacy, and litigation work on major human rights violations in the Philippines. Although I could not travel to Manila this summer, the Center created an online training program for us and gave us the opportunity to work on several different projects this summer. This was my first legal experience and under the mentorship of lawyers at the Center, I was able to practice different kinds of legal research and writing skills. Thanks to the founders of McGill International Experience Awards, I was able to supplement my legal education with meaningful work experience in the field of human rights.

 

AndreaAndrea Salguero Florian, Bachelor of Civil Law Juris Doctor

My name is Andrea Salguero and I am a fourth-year law student. Prior to law school, I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy at McGill University. Throughout my legal studies, I have always been interested in the intersection between human rights, immigration and labour law. This interest led me to volunteer with ProBono Students Canada at the PINAY Filipino Women’s Organization in Quebec, and with an immigration advocacy non-profit organization based in El Paso, Texas, in my first and third year of law school, respectively. This summer I received the Michael Novak and Kathleen Weil International Experience Internship Award and the Aurora Human Rights Internship Award, both part of the McGill International Experience Awards, which allowed me to pursue a human rights internship with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights (RWCHR), a human rights advocacy organization based in Montreal.
As an intern at the RWCHR I had the opportunity to conduct legal research in support of the RWCHR’s broad initiatives to pursue justice through combatting the resurgence of global authoritarianism, and through seeking greater accountability for violators of human rights. In particular, my research focused on the developing human rights crisis in Venezuela, and the principle of universal jurisdiction in international law. In addition to strengthening my legal research and drafting skills, my internship helped me understand that one does not need to be physically abroad to meaningfully contribute to international issues, and has reinforced my desire to continue learning about international law.

HannahHannah Block, BA, International Development Studies

My name is Hannah Block, I am an Honours student in International Development Studies (economic development and living standards), with a minor in Environment. In summer 2020, I received the Susan Casey Brown Fund for McGill, McGill International Experience Awards for a summer research internship at the law firm Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick. I also received the Brenda and Morrison Hurley Arts Internship Award for an internship in economic development, at the Kenyan NGO Elimu Impact Evaluation Center.
Without the generosity of Mr. Garvin Brown, Dr. Robert Morrison, Brenda Hurley, and the founders of McGill International Experience Awards, as well as the support of McGill’s Arts Internship Office, I would not have had this unrivalled opportunity to learn and contribute, particularly considering the contemporaneous strain of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These internships allowed me to work with actors varying from private industry to NGOs to different levels of government and ultimately acquire professional experience in fields I now wish to pursue, specifically the nexus between economic development and environmental law.
With the future looming, as a fourth-year student, this opportunity came at a pivotal moment, allowing for invaluable inspiration and personal development that will surely aid in my decisive next steps. After my supervisor used my research in a case to evidence environmental injustices, I was wholly inspired to pursue law because, in the future, I want to position myself to be able to assert peoples' rights by working to ensure their legal enforcement.

JoeJoe Abou-Malhab, BSc Physiology

My name is Joe and I received the Schull Yang International Experience Award in 2019 for my summer research internship in the Surgical Department at Heidelberg University.
On a professional side, the extensive work on our robotic surgery project was very fruitful, and an amazing experience. Knowing that the work we’ve done will most likely advance in how surgeons learn and practice surgical techniques, is very satisfying. This internship has also constituted a big turning point in my prospective professional aspirations. I am now certain of my medical career choice, and I also hope to go into surgery. After spending nearly 3 months in the surgical department, watching closely the lifestyle of surgeons in parallel to my research project, gave me an insider’s look at the field...Thanks to the Schull Yang International Experience Awards, I was able not only to be sure of my career choice, but also to add one more goal to achieve: become a surgeon.

KillianKillian Sheriff, BSc Mathematics and Physics

My name is Killian and I received the Schull Yang International Experience Award in 2019 for my summer research internship in the Department of Material Science and Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
On a personal point of view, it was amazing to discover new work ethics by working with people from all over the world, to be exposed to a wide variety of research topics and to be immersed into the MIT culture. This whole experience was only possible thanks to the generous donors of the Schull Yang International Experience Awards. The awards allowed me to afford rent and travel expenses while at the same time allowing me to discover how beautiful Boston is with its amazing landscapes and wonderful walking trails around Charles river.

Madeleine

Madeleine Kausel, BA Political Science

My name is Madeleine Kausel and I am a fourth year undergraduate student at McGill University, graduating with an honours degree in political science and a minor in sociology. I received a Schull Yang International Experience Award in 2017, which allowed me to pursue a summer communications internship at The Synergos Institute, a non-profit development consulting organization in New York City. This experience allowed me to immerse myself in the vribrant and fast-paced culture of New York and made me realize that I would like to live there someday. When I returned to McGill, I served on the MIEA Advisory Board Committee. I was also hired as the Communications Assistant for the McGill Internship Offices Network to work on communications strategies and expand its reach on campus. This journey has helped me matriculate at Boston College Law School this fall to pursue a career in the legal field.

 

Angello holding a library bagAngello Alcázar, BA Sociology and Hispanic Studies

Angello received a Schull Yang International Experience Award in winter 2019 to study at Complutense University of Madrid (UCM) in Spain.

"The financial support provided by the award was fundamental to the successful completion of my independent study away activity. By alleviating some of the financial burdens of the cost of living and the educational costs of the host university, it helped me to make the most of my time in Europe. Indeed, I am very grateful for the Schull Yang International Experience Awards for this opportunity, and for the recognition of my effort that it represents. After all of these years abroad, I can attest to the fact that international experiences have the potential of making us much more responsible, open-minded, creative and independent people, and that is why I strongly encourage students at McGill to take advantage of excellent initiatives such as the McGill International Experience Awards."

AshtonAshton Mathias, BA honors Political Science

Ashton received the McGill International Experience Awards, and worked as a Policy Intern for the Canadian Permanent Mission to the International Organizations (Vienna).

"Given the sheer number and quality of the conferences and events I was able to attend as part of my time at VPERM, the internship clarified potential future avenues for my career......Being able to walk on the UN grounds, let alone being able to travel to Europe, is something I would have never imagined earlier this year. Interns from other Missions were not paid nor did they receive any institutional funding, and so, this internship is generally an experience usually meant for those from a wealthier background. Accordingly, I cannot thank the McGill International Experience Awards enough for enabling me to experience what I experienced this summer through your generosity – I will forever remember this summer as I advance in my career."

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