Discovering the complexities of international development in India

Andrea Sherk (centre) in India.
Andrea Sherk, a fifth-year International Development Studies Co-op program student, travelled to central-east India to work at a small NGO. (Photo courtesy of Andrea Sherk)

Megan Easton

Going out into the field after years of studying international development in the classroom can be a harsh reality check, says Andrea Sherk, but it’s also an irreplaceable experience.

“I can’t count the number of times on my co-op placement when I thought to myself, ‘I never imagined I’d do this!’" says Sherk. "But I’ve become so much richer for it.”

“I can’t count the number of times on my co-op placement when I thought to myself, ‘I never imagined I’d do this!’" says Sherk. "But I’ve become so much richer for it.”

Sherk, now in her fifth and final year of the International Development Studies Co-op program at U of T Scarborough, travelled to central-east India to work at a small NGO. The organization focuses on improving living conditions for the poorest individuals in the region through education, health and livelihood development projects.

As a community program and project assistant, Sherk not only helped with the day-to-day operations, but experienced the organization’s larger funding and resource challenges firsthand. “I gained a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in working for an NGO,” she says. “It really showed me my limitations, and the limitations of international development – which I think is a good thing as it stops us from thinking we in the West can go in and fix everything on our own.”

As a community program and project assistant, Sherk not only helped with the day-to-day operations, but experienced the organization’s larger funding and resource challenges firsthand.

While she says it was the hardest thing she’s ever done, Sherk still found time for fun, travel and cultural immersion during her placement. From living with a host family and learning to eat with her hands to riding an elephant and visiting Kathmandu, she discovered how much she loves interacting with people from different backgrounds.

“I’ve learned how to laugh at myself in sometimes awkward and uncomfortable situations, and that it means so much to people when you’re willing to embrace their way of life,” says Sherk, who grew up in a small town in rural Ontario.

“I’ve learned how to laugh at myself in sometimes awkward and uncomfortable situations, and that it means so much to people when you’re willing to embrace their way of life,” says Sherk, who grew up in a small town in rural Ontario.

While she hasn’t nailed down her post-graduation plans – she may pursue management consulting in the social sector – Sherk says her co-op placement was invaluable not just for her education, but for her character. And she recommends it to anyone. “You get the opportunity to completely expand your worldview, and learn to humbly accept who you are and the strengths and weaknesses you hold. And who knows what you’ll find yourself doing?”