ready. You are currently on: Between Latin America and an office in Paris
Between Latin America and an office in Paris
From her office at UNESCO’s imposing headquarters in Paris, Jazmin Cevallos does not look out over the Seine, but over digital maps of mangrove forests thousands of kilometres away. While the French capital is bustling outside, her world is all about sustainable development in Latin America. It’s a job that suits her perfectly. With Flemish, Ecuadorian and academic roots spanning from archaeology to geography, she found the place where all her worlds converge through the Flanders Trainee Programme.
Jazmin Cevallos
You work in Paris, but you focus on mangroves in Latin America. How did that special combination come about?
Jazmin: “My academic path has not been straightforward. I started a bachelor’s degree in archaeology at KU Leuven because the interaction between man and nature has always fascinated me. Gradually, I felt I wanted to focus more on the future than on the past. So I switched to a master’s degree in sustainable development.
Despite my degree, I still didn’t feel entirely comfortable stepping into a workplace. We were taught a lot of theory, and the internships I’d already completed were often short-term or very focused on a single task. I felt something was missing, and I was looking for a more in-depth experience. That’s how my search began, and how I came across the Flanders Trainee Programme through social media. UNESCO had been on my radar as an organisation for some time, so I kept an eye on their vacancies. Until I saw that one intern vacancy. That position was really perfect for me.”
What made it such a perfect match?
“They were looking for someone with a background in sustainable development, who spoke Spanish and had experience in Latin America. Specifically for a project on mangrove protection. My father is from Ecuador, I grew up there and my thesis was about Nicaragua.”
My path from archaeology to sustainable development may have seemed like a detour, but it turned out to be my greatest strength at UNESCO.
Jazmin Cevallos
It all fit together: my studies, my language skills, my roots. It was truly a ‘this is me’ moment. I applied with low expectations, and after several months of radio silence from UNESCO, I had already given up hope. Until I suddenly received a phone call with an invitation for an interview. Everything started to move quickly after that.”
And then you started to work at UNESCO. How should I imagine that world: from the work culture to the specific projects?
“The organisation is quite hierarchical, which took some getting used to. But it’s also a huge learning experience in professional communication. Workplace diversity is particularly enriching. I work with colleagues from all over the world, from Portugal to Iran. What’s more, UNESCO often organises fascinating events at its headquarters, such as concerts and exhibitions. In terms of content, I was soon given a lot of responsibility. For example, I coordinated the set-up of a Massive Open Online Course on mangrove protection. That project was very concrete and challenging from the start.”
If I’m not mistaken, you were soon given more responsibilities?
“Absolutely. Writing new project proposals became an important part of my job. For example, I co-wrote the application for a second phase of our mangrove project, which secured one million euros in funding from Flanders. Another proposal secured 150,000 euros for a training course. It’s fantastic to see your work have such an impact. My internship was extended from six to nine months and then turned into a contract. In addition to the mangrove project, I’m now also working on glacier protection, so my role continues to grow.”
You work in an international bubble, yet the link with Flanders is never far away. How do you experience that connection?
“That connection exists on several levels. Professionally, we work with Flemish partners, including the Flanders Marine Institute and the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. On a social level, there’s a close-knit network in Paris. The Delegation of Flanders regularly organises events to which you’re invited as a trainee. For example, we celebrated Flanders Day on a boat on the Seine. The network is also a great help in a city where finding a place to live is quite a challenge.”
The financial support of the Flanders Trainee Programme was key for me. Without that grant, I would never have been able to afford to live in an expensive city like Paris without a salary.
Jazmin Cevallos
“But the most important link was the financial support from the Flanders Trainee Programme itself. Without that grant, an unpaid internship in an expensive city like Paris would’ve been unthinkable for me.”
What advice do you have for others who dream of an internship at an international institution such as UNESCO?
“My story shows that an unexpected path can be your strength, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t have a straightforward CV. Above all, dare to dream. The fact that Flanders is investing in allowing young talent to gain experience in international organisations made all the difference for me. Without that support, I would never have been able to seize this opportunity. It’s the support that makes a dream like this truly possible. Use it to your advantage.”
