a life changing experience: encountering the realities of life outside the four-walled classroom

Sometimes, you need to step out from your comfort zones to see the striking realities of life.

I remember then when they asked me where I want to work after graduation, expect that working in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be my answer. It was meant as a joke though it was my wildest dream even from the start. A dream that I always thought will stay as a dream forever. Honestly, I decided to take my Political Science 190 here in UP Diliman merely for the luxury the metro offers and to escape the boredom back home. I really have no idea, that this summer will prove me that sometimes dreams do really come true. Hence, my experience this summer is the greatest teacher of my life.

Among those who wished to be assigned in the DFA, I was lucky enough to be given a chance to spent my 60 hours in the Center for International Research and Strategic Studies (CIRSS), Foreign Service Institute (FSI), Department of Foreign Affairs. This maybe just a ‘practium’, but for me, this is one step towards the realization of my dream. Though I worked there temporarily and three weeks is absolutely not enough, but at least I can now say, “I experienced work in the DFA”.

Basically, the FSI was created to serve as the training arm of the DFA. It serves as a center for the development and professionalization of the career foreign service corps. It is a research institution on issues and problems with foreign policy implementations, global and regional strategies and management of foreign affairs. Moreover, FSI is an institutional consultant of the DFA on matters related to foreign policies and programs as well as development management, planning, review and evaluation processes in the Department, as well as a resource and information center on diplomacy and foreign relations.

The Foreign Service Institute also maintains the Center for International Research and Strategic Studies by mandate of the Philippine Foreign Service Act of 1991. The CIRSS undertakes studies in support of the formulation, review and dissemination of Philippine foreign policy. It also provides channels for interaction, cooperation and integration of the efforts of local and foreign experts from government, private and academic sectors on foreign policy issues and their domestic implications. And this was reflected when the FSI conducted the Roundtable Discussion on Regional Architecture last April 29, 2010 in Intercontinental, Manila.

Expectedly, research works define our 60-hours practicum – that is our main task in the office. But it was fun though, it is not just merely for the sake of experiencing work, but it also provides avenue for us to gain knowledge especially on international relations and foreign policies focusing on the ASEAN-India relations. The Roundtable Discussion on the Future of the Asia Pacific Regional Architecture really means a lot to me. It is not because I was able to meet diplomats from Australia, Japan and Singapore, and intelligent people from academes and institutions, but it gave me a chance to participate in a discussion that could create a bigger impact on the international community in the near future. The proposed Asia Pacific Community and the East Asia Community is something worth of analysis and interpretation. It may strengthen the existing ASEAN institution, or it can prove that ASEAN is weak and there is a need for its replacement or expansion. I found the whole discussion and transcription very interesting, because aside from the fact that it educates me, it also encourages me to unfold more veiled facts about the subject matter.

Basically, a week after that, we made ourselves busy transcribing the speeches and remarks made by speakers during that discussion. It appears to be an easy job, but along the way, transcribing is indeed a challenging test of hearing skills and vocabulary. Despite of the fact that we only need to transcribe one tape, since there is trouble with the other one, but the way speakers pronounced words made it difficult for us to know every words of his/her speeches. It was fun though, and I can say that my note-taking ability really helps a lot especially in solving the problem of the troubled first tape where the first part of the forum was recorded. But generally, regardless of the difficulties and the annoying rhythmic sounds of rewind-stop-play cassette button that was repeatedly pressed, the whole task definitely tested my patience, and later on I was able to make fun out of it.

The process of researching and writing a paper for the ASEAN-India Relations that our supervisor, Mr. Julio Amador III, asked us to for the paper he was working on, deepen my enthusiasm in learning more about this regional institution. Though I have a deeper interest in knowing more about European Union, but my efforts of discovering issues, facts and analysis about ASEAN since last semester for my term paper in Political Science 180. Amazingly, my interest shifted from Western’s EU to Eastern’s ASEAN and I can now say, ASEAN is absolutely in my system. I considered this practicum very informative and very academically-inclined.

Lastly, before our days in the DFA will come to its end, I was fortunate that I was given a chance to proofread and edit a research work ready for its publication. I feel honoured since I was editing a paper of our supervisor. It is only then that I came to think how I wish I can fully remember the ‘how to’ of copy reading and proofreading in my journalism seminars back in high school.

Maybe the major highlight of our practicum will be the case or report presentation on the 20^th day of May. We will present the paper that we worked on about the ASEAN. Anyway, I was tasked to do research and paper about the history of ASEAN-India relations including the Look East Policy (LEP) of India and the non-traditional security issues confronting the relationship of the two such as the energy issues, terrorism and the nuclear proliferation. In the process, conflicting policies emerged and analysis is required for me to solve the conflict. Nevertheless, the relationship is a zero-sum game since it will be beneficial for the two parties in ensuring security among the member-states and the region as a whole.

Generally, the tasks may seem simple and relaxing in an air-conditioned office. Well, maybe I’ll concede that it is indeed ‘relaxing’ because you did not exert physical strength, however, the required mental capability to understand and analyze data and facts being provided were much stressful and tiring. Honestly, I was having a hard time in my first few days.

First, the challenge of securing a NBI clearance under the heat of the sun. I can vividly remember how I panicked when told that I need to secure NBI clearance and a copy of birth certificate is a requirement. It is because my birth certificate is not with me, I was hopeless, but then again I was informed that it was not even necessary. My partner, Amirah Penalber, and I were among the hundreds who fell in line under the tremendous heat of the sun of April 20.

Second, the very serious and silent atmosphere of the workplace welcomed us as we went there for the first time. A thought then entered my mind if I can able to survive the deafening silence of the four-walled office considering my personality, bubbly and loud. I can feel that I do not belong in the place like it where everybody appears to be serious, focused, and has their own worlds. This is the hardest challenge ever, especially when one whole morning passed without me uttering a single word because I was left alone in the office once when Mr. Amador was on a seminar. A week after, I was already conditioned with the silence that only the keyboards sounds and footsteps became melody to my ears.

Third, literally, it was my first time to be alone – alone travelling from Quezon City to Pasay City and vice-versa, alone in the workplace aside from my supervisor since my partner will arrive in the office every 1 pm, and alone enjoying my meal every lunch time. Believe it or not, this is my first time to be alone. I remember on my first day, I really envy those bunch of girls eating while laughing in groups and I tend to call my mom and my friends just to talk to them while eating, enough for me to feel that I am not alone. Amazingly, I eventually got used to it that I was able to survive the next days.

Fourth, nothing can beat all my travel experiences. The usual MRT scenario during rush hours in the morning and afternoon completes my day. The long walks especially when you don’t know where on earth you are already is very tiring especially under the sun, but walking in high heels is much exhausting. The encounter with ‘modus people’ and snatchers once made me cry due to too much fear and trauma after realizing that every day I can encounter those people and anything dangerous can happen to me. Good thing nothing was lost because he walked away when I felt that he had opened my bag, but at that moment I really wanted to go straight to the airport to be safe back home. Moreover, I really cannot forget the times that I really need to face my fears of crossing the streets and I am happy to say that one of my greatest achievement this summer is when I already master the art of crossing high way.

Fifth, time management is really hard for me. I conditioned myself to spent six hours in the office every day to complete my 60-hours requirement on time since we started in FSI a week late, and that mean that I need to be in the office by 8 am so that I can be out by 3 pm for me not to be late on my 5 o’clock class in UP Diliman. Actually, it made me physically weak since it seems I was always running against time, everybody is rushing and every second really counts. One thing I’ve learned, time is gold, indeed!

And lastly, the challenge of wearing smart casual clothes every day. I am not technically used wearing those stuffs. I'm rather comfortable in shorts or jeans, shirts and slippers, and not on skirts, blouses and high heels. They’re all so girly and formal, but then, I have realized not all the time I’ll be on my comfort clothes.

Despite of all the difficulties I have enumerated, I can still say that because of this practicum, my summer is really spent worthwhile. The encouragement from Mr. Amador that if we want we can apply in the same office right after graduation is enough for me to realize that I really need to prepare myself for the life after college, and it is just one year from now. I know DFA experience will be beneficial for me in a long-term run, the knowledge and experience it offered is enough to be my equipment as I continue in my endeavour as a student. It is only then that I’ve realized that I really need to step out from my comfort zones since there’s still a lot of things I should experience for me to learn the reality of life. Three weeks is enough for me to learn to be independent, and at a least, to be a lady in some way.

I once thought that I can’t live a life of being a full-time researcher, I want field works. I don't know what happened because now I was inclined with research works. Few weeks ago, I tend to count the remaining days for I really can’t wait to end my days in formal clothes, but now, as much as possible I don't want to leave. ASEAN is in my system, DFA is already a part of my daily routine. I will miss Mr. Amador, I will miss CIRSS-FSI-DFA and I will miss everything.