Week 10: Ahoj to Prague
It is hard to believe that this is my last week in the Czech Republic. The whole experience has been incredible, and it will be an experience I carry with me forever. The CEELI staff have been great about giving me a variety of projects that cover several substantive areas. From helping create a manual for judges on adjudicating terrorism cases to researching corporate sustainability to grant proposal writing, the opportunities given to me has given me a chance to grow as a profession. The variety of people I’ve been able to meet have been incredible. Judges and lawyers from a variety of countries, a U.S. ambassador, leaders in civil society, and the various members of CEELI and Friends of CEELI who dedicate so much of their time to advancing the rule of law.
One of the best aspects of CEELI was the group of co-workers I had the chance to work with. They are a very welcoming and inclusive group that brought me into their personal and professional lives. They have an impressive knowledge of the problems facing many judiciaries in the region and a strong dedication to make a difference where they can. As I think about what I am looking for in my own professional career, this experience has shown me that the people I work with can really make an experience. The collaborative and supportive culture at CEELI is one that I will be actively looking for in my future workplaces.
This week as been full of wrapping up different aspects of my internship. I’ve been finishing researching potential corporate donors, as well as helping my non-native English-speaking colleagues edit their quarterly grant progress reports that go to grant providers. Work, along with saying goodbye to friends and preparing to fly back to the U.S. has made the week go by quickly. I am incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity to live and work in Prague this summer. It has been a truly meaningful experience that I will never forget.
