‘My internship at the Gambia High Commission was a very meaningful opportunity’

Alhaji Samba Sey is a BBA student specialising in Human Resource Management at Apeejay Stya University, who travelled from The Gambia to India to gain a broader academic and cultural perspective. As an international student, his journey at ASU has strengthened his adaptability, communication and cross-cultural understanding. His internship at the Gambia High Commission further enriched his professional exposure, deepening his interest in diplomacy, international affairs, public service and global cooperation. 

As an international student at Apeejay Stya University, how has your experience shaped your academic journey, personal growth, and understanding of Indian culture?

My experience at Apeejay Stya University has been much more than an academic journey. Coming to India from The Gambia meant adapting to a completely different environment, culture, education system, and way of life. That experience taught me independence, adaptability, communication, and the importance of understanding people from different backgrounds. Academically, the University has encouraged me to look at issues from different perspectives and participate actively in activities beyond my regular coursework. Personally, living and studying in India has helped me appreciate the diversity of Indian culture, including its languages, traditions, festivals, food, and different ways of thinking.

Most importantly, being an international student has taught me that cultural differences can actually become opportunities to learn from one another.

What are some of the key skills, experiences, or opportunities at Apeejay Stya University that you feel prepared you for your internship at the Gambia High Commission?

Several experiences at Apeejay Stya University prepared me for my internship. My BBA studies gave me a foundation in management, communication, organizational behaviour, and professional conduct. At the same time, participating in university activities and taking on responsibilities outside the classroom helped me develop teamwork, leadership, coordination, and communication skills.

Being an international student also gave me an important advantage because I was already accustomed to interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds. I learned how to communicate respectfully, represent myself professionally, and adapt to different situations.

These skills became particularly valuable at the Gambia High Commission, where professionalism, communication, cultural awareness, and attention to detail were essential.

Tell us about your internship experience at the Gambia High Commission. What were some of the key responsibilities and projects you were involved in?

My internship at the Gambia High Commission was a very meaningful opportunity because it allowed me to move from learning concepts in the classroom to observing how diplomacy and government representation work in practice.

During my internship, I had the opportunity to support and observe various administrative and diplomatic activities. I was involved in tasks requiring communication, documentation, coordination, research, and interaction with different stakeholders. I also gained exposure to how the High Commission handles matters involving Gambian citizens, official communication, events, and engagement with Indian institutions and other stakeholders.

What made the experience particularly valuable was being able to observe the professionalism and responsibility required in a diplomatic mission. It gave me a much clearer understanding of how the work of a diplomatic mission extends beyond formal meetings and includes continuous coordination, representation, communication, and relationship-building.

What were your biggest learnings from working in a diplomatic environment, and how did the internship help you understand international relations and cross-cultural engagement better?

One of my biggest lessons was that diplomacy is fundamentally about people and relationships. Before the internship, I understood international relations largely from an academic perspective. At the High Commission, I was able to see how communication, trust, cultural sensitivity, negotiation, and professionalism contribute to maintaining relationships between countries.

I also learned that diplomatic work requires patience and the ability to understand different perspectives. A diplomat may interact with people from different cultures, institutions, and professional backgrounds, and each interaction requires a different approach.

The experience therefore helped me connect what I had learned about international relations with real-world practice. It also strengthened my belief that effective cross-cultural engagement requires respect, listening, adaptability, and an understanding of both one’s own culture and the culture of others.

Was there a particular experience during your internship that challenged you or helped you step outside your comfort zone? How did you handle it?

One of the biggest challenges was adapting to a professional environment where the level of responsibility and professionalism was much higher than what I was accustomed to as a student. I had to become more conscious of how I communicated, how I approached tasks, and how I interacted with people in an official setting.

Instead of seeing that as a limitation, I treated it as an opportunity to learn. I observed how experienced professionals handled situations, asked questions when necessary, listened carefully, and took feedback seriously.

That experience taught me that stepping outside your comfort zone is often where the most meaningful professional growth happens. It made me more confident, but also more aware of the importance of humility and continuous learning.

Looking at your journey from Apeejay Stya University to the Gambia High Commission, how do you think these experiences have influenced your career aspirations and prepared you for your future?

I see my journey from Apeejay Stya University to the Gambia High Commission as a connection between academic learning and professional experience. At ASU, I developed my foundation in management, leadership, communication, and working with people from different backgrounds. My experience as an international student also taught me adaptability and cross-cultural understanding. The internship then gave me the opportunity to apply these qualities in a diplomatic environment and see how international relations work beyond textbooks.

The experience has strengthened my interest in diplomacy, international affairs, public service, and international cooperation. It has also shown me that my background in business and management can complement my interest in international relations, particularly in areas involving people, institutions, leadership, and international engagement.

Ultimately, both experiences have prepared me to approach my future career with greater confidence, professionalism, and a broader international perspective.