Being an intern at AKF USA is one of the greatest opportunities I ever had. Here, an intern can really learn a lot. During my internship, I have worked in two different departments: Programs and Communications. In the Programs department, I conducted research for resource mobilization in Central Asia and reviewed grant reports. In the Communications department, I have worked mostly through traditional and new media to share stories of our program work and events in the U.S. that raise funds and awareness for these programs.

Of course, not everything is easy at AKF USA, especially when you come from a different place. Before arriving to Washington, DC, I studied in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan at American University of Central Asia, where I graduated from the Journalism and Mass Communications Department. During my last year at university I was an editorial intern at the Institute of War and Peace Reporting, where I helped the regional editor with articles by interviewing people  mostly for the articles.

Yet despite my academic and work experience, I still encountered a challenge on my first assignment. I was told to share my opinions with the Programs team after reviewing reports from AKF USA field offices. I was not sure what exactly was required to review them and was quite nervous about sharing my opinion. But it turned out that I did not need to worry about it. The team was very attentive to my suggestions and their positive responses made me more comfortable in further contributing to both of the departments.

I have come to really enjoy working at AKF USA with great people who are always around to help young professionals like me. One of the most valuable lessons that I have learned at AKF USA is that always working hard and efficiently gets results. Before this internship, I thought that people in offices did not work hard. But being at AKF USA, I see people always engaged in their work—more than I could have imagined! I learned that things do not happen with just a little action, you have to work hard to get to your goal, whether it is big or small. More importantly, you should always approach your work with strength and commitment.

Unfortunately, everything comes to an end. In a couple of months my internship at AKF USA will finish and I will go back to Tajikistan. After my internship, I plan to return to Tajikistan and work in communications, preferably digital communications, at an international organization. I hope that the experiences that I have gained at AKF USA will help me bring changes to Tajik communications principles and make it much more effective. After a year of work I will apply to a master’s program in communications or public relations in the USA or Europe to professionally develop even more.

~Nina Muzaffarova