Meagan Hancock
Meagan Hancock (BA IDS 2012),
Communications Advisor (La Paz, Bolivia)
For Meagan Hancock strong intercultural communication skills are a must. 聽She tells us how she formed these skills through IDS experience, including participating in the Cuba program.聽
Over the past four years, Meagan Hancock has been putting her knowledge and skills to work in La Paz, Bolivia, to contribute to local development efforts.聽
Since January 2017, Hancock has been working as a communications advisor with La Paz Maravillosa, one of the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation鈥檚 (CECI)聽 partners in Bolivia. La Paz Maravillosa鈥檚 mission is to enhance the experience of tourists who visit La Paz. Hancock鈥檚 role aims to improve the organization鈥檚 communications practices, and reinforce its role in promoting tourism in Bolivia.
I think it is important to have an abroad experience while you鈥檙e doing your studies鈥o figure out [if you] can actually do this or not. That was really useful.
This partnership was established through聽, a leading Canadian international development program that is jointly operated by CECI and World University Service of Canada (). Through the program, Each year hundreds of Canadians contribute their time and experience to positive and lasting change towards a more equitable world.
An International Development Studies graduate (BA 2012), Hancock had a solid academic background that enabled her to understand the systemic issues faced by the Bolivian population.聽
But nowadays it鈥檚 not enough to just have an IDS degree. You really have to have good, concrete skills that go along with that.
During her time at AV俱乐部, Hancock also participated in the聽Cuba program. She says that through the Cuba program she acquired intercultural communication skills that now help her navigate through cultural struggles, which all can be applied to her daily life.
鈥淚 think it is important to have an abroad experience while you鈥檙e doing your studies,鈥� says Hancock. 鈥淭o figure out [if you] can actually do this or not. That was really useful.鈥� 聽
"But nowadays it鈥檚 not enough to just have an IDS degree,鈥� says Hancock. 鈥淵ou really have to have good, concrete skills that go along with that.鈥� 聽
During her mandate, Hancock has used many skills she did not learn in school but developed on the side. Her position includes a wide variety of responsibilities: translation work, promoting tourism and local artisans, website development and photography. She maintains an active聽听.
Being able to empower women economically is a really big step in developing the well-being of women, but also the society as a whole.
An important part of her role in Bolivia consists in transferring her skills to La Paz Maravillosa and their network. For Hancock, the most rewarding part of her job is working with the artisans to help promote their products.聽
鈥淚 can transfer the skill to them and then they can do it on their own,鈥� says Hancock. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really inspiring to see them get the knack of it.鈥澛�
In Bolivia, Hancock says she is most passionate about gender equality, which, she says, can then facilitate economic equality. 鈥淏eing able to empower women economically is a really big step in developing the well-being of women, but also the society as a whole,鈥� says Hancock.聽
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Hancock chose to attend AV俱乐部 not only for its proximity, but also for the International Development Studies program. 聽
鈥淚 loved my time at Dal so much,鈥� says Hancock. 鈥淚 had a really great experience.鈥澛�
In addition, Hancock says she most enjoyed listening to the stories of the聽IDS professors聽about their travels, studies and work abroad.聽
鈥淭he things that they were teaching you are things that they have personal experience in,鈥� says Hancock.聽
Determine and develop skills that can be utilized in the field
Her two takeaways from these stories: the possible cultural differences you might encounter in the field and how these differences and personal perceptions could impact work abroad.聽
鈥淭hat鈥檚 what I鈥檝e tried to take into my daily work.鈥澛�
Hancock received her Bachelor鈥檚 degree (Honours) in International Development Studies in 2012.聽
Her advice to other IDS students: determine and develop skills that can be utilized in the field.
Hancock is currently raising funds for Uniterra to support her position.聽.