Beyond the Classroom: An Internship That Changed My View

When I first started my internship at Arannayk Foundation, I was honestly a little scared. I had just finished my bachelor’s in Forestry at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, and this was my first experience in a professional office. I kept wondering, will I be able to adjust? Will I know what to do? But from day one, everyone made me feel so welcome that the tension quickly faded.

I had always thought my path would be about trees, ecosystems, and biodiversity. That’s what I studied, and that’s where I felt at home. So, when I was placed in the Communication and Advocacy Unit, I wasn’t sure what to expect. At first, it felt like I was stepping away from forestry. But as the days went on, I realized I was learning something just as important: how communication shapes people’s ideas about forests, and how advocacy can even influence policies.

I thought forestry was all about trees, but this internship taught me it’s also about people, and how the right message can spark real change.

My supervisor helped me see the connections. Conservation isn’t only about protecting trees and animals, it’s also about how you talk to people, how you bring them together, and how you create awareness that leads to real change. That’s when I started to enjoy every bit of my work.

One of the most exciting parts was joining a field trip under the PRISTINE Project. There, I saw how plastic waste cleanup and health campaigns reached people in vulnerable communities and made them active participants. I also learned about reducing gender-based violence. It struck me how all these issues, like health, safety, and environment, are linked together. That trip boosted my confidence and made me feel I was part of something bigger.

And then came the fun parts I never expected. I got to learn how to film for documentaries, and yes, even fly a drone! 

Flying a drone, filming stories, joining campaigns, I realized conservation can be exciting and human, not just science in books.

Honestly, it felt amazing to add those new skills alongside my forestry background.

Looking back, the internship gave me much more than I imagined. It wasn’t just work; it was enjoyable, full of memories, and it opened up new interests for me. I built connections, grew personally, and felt motivated to continue contributing to nature in different ways. This internship showed me that saving forests isn’t only about the science we study in books. It’s also about people, stories, and voices. And that lesson is going to stay with me for a long time.