"SLU Youth Institute is so much more than the Global Challenge thesis"

Thanks to her participation in SLU Youth Institute, she later also got the opportunity to participate in the global roundtables organised by the World Food Prize Foundation, which opened up the possibility to do a summer internship at The International Potato Center (C-IP) in Lima, Peru, through the World Food Prize Foundation's internship programme.

What was it like to be part of SLU Youth Institute? 

I had not heard of SLU Youth Institute before, but when my biology teacher presented the project in class, I was immediately interested. It was great fun to think about global challenges and learn more about it. I chose to write about Yemen and their politics and development, which was super interesting. We also had plenty of time to work on the assignment, which meant that I really had time to learn a lot.

Is there anything special you take with you from your work?

We had "daily sessions" during the Global Youth Institute when we heard experts talk about food security and various global initiatives related to sustainable development. Then we also had the round table discussions, where I got to hear all the other students' interesting information and talk about their issues. Extra fun was when I got to talk to experts who had read my thesis and hear their opinions and ideas.

How did you feel when you found out you got the internship?

Very exciting! After participating in the global roundtable discussions, we received an e-mail from World Food Prize Organization about the opportunity to apply for a Borlaug-Ruan International Internship. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to apply since I've never been away from home for so long, but also because it means a lot of responsibility in a context I've never been in before. But I thought it sounded very exciting, so on the last day I took the chance to send in the application. After 2,5 months, I was told that I would be able to do an internship at CIP in Lima, which I was very happy about. I am looking forward to learn more Spanish among other things.

What are you most looking forward to?

Getting to meet and work with the researchers at CIP. It will be really cool to start my own research at their workplace, but also to be in Peru and take part of the culture and language.

Do you have any tips for current and future SLU Youth Institute students?

My best tip is probably to choose a subject area and to focus on something you find interesting before choosing a country to focus on. It can be easy to get hung up on a specific country, which can make it harder to narrow down on a topic. Personally, I found it easier to write in English as you have access to much more sources and can search in more languages. Otherwise, my general advice is that I really recommend everyone to take the chance and be part of everything! Submit your Global Challenge thesis to SLU Youth Institute, and participate in the roundtable discussions if you get the chance. If you have the opportunity then also apply for a Borlaug-Ruan International Internship. SLU Youth Institute is so much more than just writing a Global Challenge thesis.

Next autumn, Huda will start her final year on the natural science programme in Sollefteå.