Testimonials of internships at SPARK Offices and BSCs:
"a journey
of excitement, learning and absurdity"
Based in
Pristina, the first part of my internship consisted of developing and rolling
out the second Transitional Year Program in line with the realisation of the
International Business College Mitrovica. Fuelled with ambition and aspiration
we - a great team of interns and staff - worked hard in order to channel the
energy of the ambitious youth's in the region by organizing English lessons for
them.
I spent the
second part of my internship working as an international coordinator during the
Mitrovica Winter University. Our diverse and enthusiastic team enjoyed the
eclectic group of international students and experienced the positive attitudes
among students and professors who share a belief in education as the engine to
individual and societal growth.
As a
political geographer I found that both projects profoundly contributed to
improving a struggling region by enabling people to try and ‘understand' each
other better. It was a nice experience to be a part of and it gave me new
energy to step forward and create a better world.
Pieter van den Wall Bake, Intern Higher Education Team, Mitrovica and Pristina Offices
"it has been a wonderfully dynamic experience
with great colleagues"
My internship as Intern Assistant to the Directors with
SPARK has been a great opportunity to learn about the internal organization of
an NGO and the development sector. I was given the chance to take on a varied set
of responsibilities around the office and to become involved in a significant
grant application to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Being an all-round intern, I was able to
touch upon many interesting themes such as quality and aid effectiveness and to
learn both about the internal organization of an NGO as well as its projects.
SPARK gave me the chance to participate in one of its stimulating and engaging
projects in the Balkans - the Mitrovica Winter University.
All in all it has been a wonderfully dynamic experience
with great colleagues. The great atmosphere at the office made sure that
interns were warmly welcomed as part of the staff. I would highly recommend the
SPARK internship to anyone who would like to get a good insight of a dynamic NGO.
SPARK is a unique organization with a young and ambitious team.
Kim Solberg, Intern Assistant to the Directors, SPARK Amsterdam office
"This experience will no doubt help me advance my future career"
Looking back over my last 6 months, I have no doubt that the opportunities I was given through SPARK were far beyond those of a "typical" internship. From the very beginning of my time working in Amsterdam I was considered a part of the staff and expected to perform at a professional level. I was hired to do research for SPARK's mid-term Impact Assessment, submitted to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This entailed developing a comprehensive Logical Framework and devising the necessary tools and strategies to gather data specified therein. I was then able to complete a month of field research, conducting interviews with stakeholders and participants in the Western Balkans. Besides the amazing opportunity to gain field experience, I also acquired practical skills in and knowledge of Monitoring & Evaluation, identifying key indicators, and designing participant survey questionnaires. This experience will no doubt help me advance my future career.
Moreover, the atmosphere in the organization itself was motivating and cooperative. I knew that my performance was being carefully supervised, yet I was also trusted to make important decisions and carry out research independently. It was the perfect setting for me to 'learn-by-doing' and I am pleased to say that I believe my work at SPARK was as contributory as it was educational. Megan Price, Intern BSC Impact Evaluation, SPARK Amsterdam office
"Don’t even think of missing this kind of opportunity"
I met people from former ATA these days SPARK at International Summer University in Prishtina 2004, for the first time. Since that time I was anxious to find out how the life from inside of organization looks like, and how does it feel to be part of organization.
I get this opportunity after 2 years. I was invited to take part as an Intern within the Business Start-Up Center Kosovo. The time I spent in Kosovo was fabulous, with co-workers from ATA and BSC. I greatly appreciate all the time, effort, enthusiasm and professionalism they put forth throughout my work.
It was a great pleasure for me to work in BSC Kosovo and I would like to recommend them to every single student, graduate and those who would like to face the future before it happens, from my behalf. Thanks for the opportunity you gave me.
Ivana Tasevska, Intern in BSC Kosovo, Pristina
"Internship at SPARK Amsterdam office was an inspiring experience"
My three months internship at SPARK Amsterdam office was an inspiring experience. I have been working as an intern in the Education department and have gotten a comprehensive insight into the work and the processes of various projects that SPARK is implementing.
The most ambitious and exciting project is the International Business College Mitrovica which I consider a great opportunity for the young people in the region. The experience at SPARK has enabled me to see the inside structures and procedures in development cooperation as well as it has further encouraged my ambition to work for non-profit organizations in the education sector after my graduation.
I would like to thank the whole Amsterdam office for this opportunity and I recommend this internship to every student who is thinking about working in the field of development cooperation.
Kathrin Philipp, Intern Business College Mitrovica, SPARK Amsterdam Office
To look at other internship testimonials please click here.
Results 
ip as Intern Assistant to the Directors with
SPARK has been a great opportunity to learn about the internal organization of
an NGO and the development sector. I was given the chance to take on a varied set
of responsibilities around the office and to become involved in a significant
grant application to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
Looking back over my last 6 months, I have no doubt that the opportunities I was given through SPARK were far beyond those of a "typical" internship. From the very beginning of my time working in Amsterdam I was considered a part of the staff and expected to perform at a professional level. I was hired to do research for SPARK's mid-term Impact Assessment, submitted to the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This entailed developing a comprehensive Logical Framework and devising the necessary tools and strategies to gather data specified therein. I was then able to complete a month of field research, conducting interviews with stakeholders and participants in the Western Balkans. Besides the amazing opportunity to gain field experience, I also acquired practical skills in and knowledge of Monitoring & Evaluation, identifying key indicators, and designing participant survey questionnaires. This experience will no doubt help me advance my future career.
department and have gotten a comprehensive insight into the work and the processes of various projects that SPARK is implementing. 
