Fabiola, a graduate in International Marketing, from the University of Monterrey, Mexico, came to the UK in 2002 to work as an ‘intern’ with For A Change magazine. She writes:
I first heard about the opportunity to come to England while I was finishing my studies in Monterrey. At that time, my professional aspirations had to do with finding a job in a consulting firm so that I could apply my analytical and marketing skills. I was determined to find that job after graduation and I knew I wanted to be in Mexico (and I still do!). However, when I heard about the vacancy to do marketing for For A Change magazine, I could not stop thinking about a dream I had at an early stage of my studies. It had to do with a magazine that wanted to enrich people, and not just have a commercial goal. Behind my dream was a call to do something for the world. But I could see no way of fulfilling this dream and, at that early stage, I let go of it. Being in the UK working for Initiatives of Change was an opportunity that took me from any self-centred professional ambition to explore what it means to have a real sense of a worthwhile purpose in the context of the world conditions that we live in. The two years became a space where I constantly asked myself, ‘What is the role I play in the world? What is my vocation, what is my calling?’
Now that I look back I realise that it also provided an environment dedicated to valuing others and their experience both locally and globally. I value the creativity that comes from the exchange of ideas and the courage from seeing others struggling to overcome their adversities. I am now more able to understand, respect and value diversity. Working with IofC in London was a chance to realise that there is a growing number of voices from all over the world calling for changes at local, national and international levels. Within IofC there is evidence of real personal change in people, and a real sense of care for people. I understand the importance of participating and contributing to the community at a range of levels, from the local to the global, while taking responsibility of my actions. The IofC experience enabled me to become more aware of both my inner life and the wider world, thus developing a strong sense of my own role in the world. In short I think I became a more committed global citizen capable of making tough choices and taking responsible action to bring about the effective kind of change that happens when I start with myself.
English