Cross-cultural experience and understanding is paving the road to success in the new global economy for three Canadians participating in international internships through the Canadian Centre on Minority Affairs.

All three began working in St. Kitts, West Indies with the Foundation for the National Development in November 2002. These interns will spend six months learning and building an understanding for life on this island in the Eastern Caribbean, while also contributing to the development of this host organization. The Foundation for National Development is a not-for-profit, community-based development financial institution with a concentration on providing loans for small businesses and micro-enterprises throughout the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. This organization, also known as FND, was created in 1985 and continues to grow in its service largely due the contribution and investments by its international partners. These affiliates include the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the United Nations Development Project, USAID, the Government of Taiwan and the Pan American Development Foundation, only to name a few.

The goal of these internships are to work in a collaborative effort to achieve the common goal of both nations – serving the needs of the region while building sustainability in the local and international economy. Each of their roles within the Foundation for National Development is unique as all three interns bring exceptionally distinctive skills and knowledge with them to this organization.

Sara-Rose Harper, a recent graduate of Carleton University’s Bachelor of International Business program, was the first of three interns to arrive in St. Kitts. This native of Saskatchewan has provided the Foundation of National Development with administrative and accounting support, assisted in implementing a new Management Information System, and is presently organizing a training schedule for the organization’s staff and clientele. Cultural highlights of Sara-Rose’s experience include participating in Carnival festivities, hiking to Mt. Liamagu’s craters and above all, having the opportunity to experience St. Kitt’s greatest tourist attraction – its people.

Carolyn Chisholm, a graduate of political science from Acadia University and Communications from Mount Royal College, has concentrated on developing a marketing and communications strategy for the Foundation of National Development since her arrival to St. Kitts in mid-November. She has also had the opportunity to work with the local television station, ZIZ, where she has been producing a documentary on the history of the station and its contribution to life in St. Kitts and Nevis. Carolyn can often be seen walking the 8-km trek to Frigate Bay beach on weekends or interviewing the Prime Minister during Carnival festivities. There is no doubt that this international internship and cross-cultural experience will assist here in achieving her future career goals.

Chris Devers, a specialist in Quality Control Management from Toronto, describes his adventure here in St. Kitts as eye opening. His work in assisting with administrative and accounting duties at the Foundation for National Development has brought him in contact with “many colourful characters who exemplify how wonderful and majestic the island really is."” Chris is most struck by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the hard-working Kittitians he has met. The cool blend of island lifestyle mixed with Caribbean sun is providing Chris with the perfect backdrop for understanding how Kittitians live, work, and, of course, ‘lime.’

These three interns are symbols of the long-standing, positive relations between Canada and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, whereby both societies benefit from this growing partnership. Programs such as these international internships, which are supported by Human Resources Development Canada and the Department for Foreign Affairs and International Trade, cultivate understanding between nations while also building a greater level of awareness of who we are and the type of nation we want to be. There are a significant number of Kittitians living in Canada and likewise for Canadians in St. Kitts. As both allies and friends, these two nations have only to benefit from the trade and economic relations which continue to develop. There is a great deal these two nations may learn and discover from each other, and it will be internships such as these who will lay the foundation for such cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.