From NBU to the UN: A Graduate's Journey into Humanitarian Work
ingbo, China – Shen Jiaying, a recent graduate from the Faculty of Foreign Languages at Ningbo University, has been awarded an internship with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Budapest, Hungary. Her success is supported by a joint program between the China Scholarship Council (CSC) and the United Nations.
Scheduled to begin in October 2025, Shen will undertake a six-month internship as an Occupational Health & Safety Intern at the UNHCR, the UN agency mandated to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people.
During her master's studies in Foreign Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Shen distinguished herself as an outstanding graduate. Her time at NBU was marked by robust academic performance and significant extracurricular engagement. An exchange program in Poland deepened her understanding of Central and Eastern European cultures. She also honed her project management and cross-departmental coordination skills as the head of the technical department at the Faculty's Student Center and showcased her cross-cultural communication skills as a member of the Faculty's student group dedicated to sharing China's stories with international audiences in foreign languages.
Her commitment to humanitarian work and international exchange began early. As an undergraduate, she volunteered as a Chinese language teacher in Malaysia and Nepal, gaining firsthand experience in international cooperation that aligns closely with the global mission and multicultural values of UN agencies.
Reflecting on the highly competitive application process, which involved a rigorous CSC review and a UNHCR interview, Shen shared: "This journey was challenging but incredibly rewarding. It helped me make breakthroughs in English interviews, cross-cultural communication, and career planning, solidifying my ambition to work at the intersection of humanitarian affairs and international organizations." She extended special thanks to the NBU International Office, the Faculty's Foreign Affairs Office, and her academic supervisor for their unwavering guidance and support.
Looking ahead, Shen aims to integrate her UN internship experience with her academic background to explore innovations in educational technology within global governance and humanitarian action. She also encourages fellow students to actively seek out international exchanges and practical experiences to broaden their global perspectives and enhance their comprehensive skill sets.
