My summer working at the Environmental Foundation Ltd. was inspirational! During the four weeks of my internship in the summer of 2010, I gained valuable experience researching and adapting climate change programs from around the world to fit Sri Lanka’s specific climate change challenges. I particularly enjoyed the challenge of catching up to the other EFL employees and experiencing first-hand the environmental concerns that most affect Sri Lanka. As EFL’s climate change program was in its early stages, we interns were fortunate to play a role in shaping what the program would become. I also greatly benefited from the research experience.

I learned greater self-discipline, taking responsibility for my time and the quality of work when presenting results to EFL employees, local business owners and representatives from related organizations. Since returning to university in Minnesota, I have used the skills that I gained while interning with EFL in my classes and in student leadership positions on campus. The EFL employees were so welcoming, supportive and inspirational. I can’t wait to go back and do it all again!

I worked as an intern for the Environmental Foundation Ltd. during the summer of 2010, for three months. During this time I was introduced to the diverse projects that EFL tackles on behalf of the environment and communities of Sri Lanka. From the very beginning I was impressed by the passion and knowledge that staff members bring to the organization’s mission. Each one of them is entirely dedicated to every project they take on.As a sociologist, my interests are in the intersections of the natural environment and communities, a theme supported by the work and projects that EFL accepts. I came to EFL ready to begin data collection for my sociology masters thesis from Portland State University. The qualitative research project that I had in mind was one that fell directly in line with a project EFL was already working on.

Most of my efforts while at EFL was focused on the Mangroves for the Future project on the Maha Oya. EFL staff working on this project introduced me to the scientific research being done in the area, and allowed me to be part of the community events that took place while I was there. As my main contribution, it was my goal to conduct fifteen interviews with village residents along the most western end of the Maha Oya. The intention of this was to gain a more holistic social understanding of the lives of people in this region. Working with EFL on this project made it possible for me to complete these interviews, as it offered me credibility within the community, something that is often difficult to gain as an outsider. One EFL staff member served as a translator during each interview, without which I would never have been able to conduct the interviews.

I learned a great deal from the time I spent working with EFL and given the opportunity to do it again I would surly take it. The support I received from the EFL staff was indispensable to the successful completion of research and data collection for my thesis, for which I am very thankful. I have such a great respect for each and every person works with EFL and the way they are committed enthusiastically to the people and environment of Sri Lanka.

Interning at EFL for a couple months in the summer was one of the most rewarding work experiences I have encountered. I arrived in the middle of organizing the first snakebite awareness forum in Sri Lanka and was quickly immersed in actively advertising, setting up and filing information on the events preceding the forum and the forum itself. During this time period, I learned not only a lot about snakebites and organizing such an enormous event but gained much from the variety of perspectives of others working at EFL and those involved in the program.

As the snakebite awareness program successfully concluded I got involved in other small projects – one of which included an inspiring field trip to villages on the East coast to help finalize a home-garden project. However, over my internship I mainly focused on gathering general and organization specific information on climate change relevant to Sri Lanka as a type of needs-assessment with other interns to help provide direction for EFL to start and possibly partner on a climate change adaptation program. Most memorable to my internship though was the integrity, flexibility, energy, professionalism and cooperation of those working at EFL. EFL truly demonstrated characteristics of an efficient, functional and quality organization seeking to fulfill its goals of working towards environmental justice in Sri Lanka.