'The embassy was a smaller mission [than others in ANIP], but that was really great for me as it meant that I saw more of what they did. I was involved in everything from secretarial work to attending talks and community events. I feel really fortunate that they included me in that way. It was very special [and] the Ambassador made me feel at home.

I found my placement catered to all of my areas of study and also provided to my personal interests, too. It was refreshing that I could do something a little bit left of field, and because it was left open and a little broad, I could incorporate things that I’ve learned over the last couple of years at university.

I looked at the reasons for why the trail should exist, how it would be important for the Timorese economy by diversifying the economy; also the historical significance of the situation and how it established the relationship between the two countries. The Ambassador is hoping to get more publicity around the concept and would really like to further develop it. Although a Timorese company offers war history tours, these runs only once a year, whereas the Ambassador wants to expand that.

It was really enlightening and refreshing that during my time at university I could be placed in a professional environment and apply the skills I’ve already learned to the real world, and in a way that was almost a trial run, rather than being thrown straight into employment after university. I really loved the community spirit among all the interns and there wasn’t a feeling of competitiveness that you find in some classes. Everyone wanted to help everybody else.'