By Samantha Robinson, UT undergraduate student in International Relations and Global Studies Department

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at CID Gallup in Panama City, Panama and IDEA International in Santiago, Chile. In my experience in Panama, I was able to learn from both my UT cohort and the CID Gallup staff.  As an undergraduate student in International Relations and Global Studies, this time in Panama City has been an opportunity to strengthen my work ethic and teamwork skills. CID Gallup develops market strategies based on public opinion, so I was able to work in the field and get a background of what a public opinion survey looks like. This is very interesting work because you get a better sense of what a research project can do for people and set objectives for a market.

During my time, I had the opportunity to conduct interviews through “Encuestas” about different topics such as the economic benefits of the Panama Canal, Public infrastructure projects, and opinions about the establishment of the “Cobre de Mina” (Copper Mine) project. Our own research project investigates the salary differences by gender, particularly women in the “Sandwich Generation” (people in charge of care for both children and elderly people – typically family members). Furthermore, to develop research that can help contribute to public policies for communities in Panama, specifically women affected by the sandwich generation.

This project has been guided by CID Gallup staff Ana Patricia and Lorena. They have both been mentoring and recommending things for the research project. As an intern at CID Gallup, I can interact with and learn from different staff members, which has been incredible for getting a deeper understanding of the projects that CID Gallup develops. One of the things that I was able to get to know as an intern was how the sales system functions and operates with the database. Also, we were able to revise the final Report of projects. In this report, we revised different graphs, data, grammar and information and gave feedback to the staff.

Another thing we did as interns was gather public opinion surveys in the call center. This initiative was interesting because we got a sense of what gathering data in CID Gallup looks like. I had the opportunity to gather information on the public opinion of RECOPE Industry (Refinadora Costarricense de Petróleo). Also, we were able to ask other kinds of questions, such as opinions about the public system and infrastructure. During the call center, we were able to understand the data system of CID Gallup. Additionally, we had some classes about collecting data, market statistics, and orientation for “Encuestas” (interviews). In this case, we were able to meet some of the staff, such as Arelis and Amarilis, both of whom are very nice and kind people. I was able to learn a lot from them and the methodology process behind a research project.

One of the things that I enjoy in Panama outside the office is being able to share this experience with my cohort. All of us were able to stay in the same complex. This experience allowed us to share many good memories apart from work. Some of them were movie nights, dinners, walks, and road trips. Also, we were able to make some cultural trips in which we learned a lot about traditional and indigenous culture. Some of these trips were to Taboga, Bocas del Toro, and San Blas Island. On these trips, we were able to immerse ourselves in the culture of Panamanian citizens. One of the moments that I really enjoyed was our trip to San Blas, in which we were able to meet people from an indigenous culture. We were able to meet the people from the Kunalaya community. It was an amazing experience to get to know a completely remote island with its own administration of the land.  On the other hand, we were able to go to Bocas del Toro. One of the things I was surprised by was that the primary mode of transportation in Bocas del Toro was by boat! This experience was surprising but highly recommended.

In Panama City, I was able to visit some of the monuments that are impactful for the country, such as Casco Viejo and the Panama Canal. In Casco Viejo, I was able to learn about Panama’s history and cultural heritage. I remember one of the first interactions we had with the Panamanian community was when one person saw us in the History Museum in Panama and gave us a little talk about Panama’s history.  This talk was very interesting and engaging. While at the Panama Canal, I was able to learn about the importance of commerce in International Trade. I was amazed to see boats shipping from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean.  As an intern in CID Gallup, I was able to understand the dynamics of the office. In the Lunch Break, I was able to eat at very good food places such as “La Fonda,” “Coffee Max,” and “Luna Café.” I highly recommend eating at La Fonda because there is a variety of Panamanian Food for a very good price. I would highly recommend the “Tostones” (Fried Plantain) and Chicken with Rice plates.  

Later in the summer, I moved to Santiago, Chile, to intern with International IDEA. During my time there, I was able to review reports and give feedback about Democratic projects and legislative initiatives.  For example, we reviewed a report about judicial authorities and Latin American institutions, specifically in Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Also, we were able to help with database research on information about recent presidential and parliamentary elections. In this project, we are looking at the percentage of people who vote outside of their country.

Another project that I was able to work on at IDEA International was in “Fortalecimiento de la Participación Ciudadana en el Congreso de Chile” (Strengthening civil participation in the Chilean Congress). In this, we investigated different perspectives of Chilean citizens in the voting system. This initiative from IDEA International was in partnership with the European Union and the European Parliament. In the elaboration of this project, we identified different areas where the Chilean Congress can increase citizens’ civic participation. Also, as an intern at IDEA, we had the opportunity to join different workshops; one of them was hosted by the Department of Political Sciences at Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile. Furthermore, other workshops were about “Violencia Política contra las mujeres y Violencia por Razones de Género” (Political Violence against Women for Gender Reasons).

In Chile, I was able to visit different places; one of them was the opportunity to meet the mayor of Santiago, Mario Desbordes, and visit the “Ilustre Municipalidad de Santiago.” As well, one of the things that was very interesting was that the office of IDEA International was located on the side of the “Palacio la Moneda” (Coin Palace), known as the Presidential House in Chile. We were able to see different events during this time, such as the arrival of different authorities and the Flag Ceremony. Moreover, I was able to visit Valparaíso, which has beautiful views of the sea and the surroundings of Viña del Mar.

The time I have spent in Panama City and Santiago, Chile, has been very gratifying, as I have been able to immerse myself in a new culture. Additionally, I was able to learn about research projects and gain valuable insights into their development and impact. In this case, the various research projects I worked on with CID Gallup and IDEA International have helped me evaluate solutions we can develop to inform new public policies on this issue. I’m very grateful for this opportunity since I will never forget this experience.