A passion for development
Alumna Naomi Happychuk (MSC '11, IDS Honours) says MSC helped expand her passion for development.
Happychuk, who obtained an Honours International Development Studies (IDS) degree, values the blend of critical thinking and practical experience MSC provides.
“MSC helped me to think deeper about development issues as well as giving me really good practical skills,” she says.
Happychuk had an opportunity to apply her critical thinking skills during her three-month practicum with the Research Centre for Aquaculture in Tu Son, a small town in Northern Vietnam. She conducted an evaluation of one of the organization’s projects, which worked with low-income farmers to set up integrated farming systems.
“It was an extremely memorable experience for me,” says Happychuk. “Probably one of the greatest in my life."
Living in Vietnam for this period of time allowed Happychuk the opportunity to experience the culture in a way that isn’t as possible when one is visiting as a tourist, she says.
It was an experience she hoped to replicate in the field placements she completed as part of her Master’s in Development Practice, offered by the University of Winnipeg. The Master’s program contains two field placements – one in Canada and one internationally.
Happychuk on her last day in the
LI-BIRD office
(Photo courtesy Naomi Happychuk)
Happychuk completed her international practicum in Jumla, a small, remote village in northwestern Nepal. She spent three months working with Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), an organization that aims to “contribute to reducing poverty and promoting social justice by empowering rural poor and marginalized smallholder farmers... who depend primarily on agriculture, biodiversity and natural resources for their livelihoods.” She managed two studies with the support of the organization: one on food security and one on gender issues and natural resource management.
“It was a unique and challenging, but rewarding experience,” says Happychuk. She was able to apply theories and techniques learned in the classroom, such as Indigenous research methods, to the LI-BIRD studies.
In Canada, Happychuk worked with the Northern Sustainable Prosperity Initiative (NSPI), where she worked on a variety of projects related to issues of northern development and climate change. Her work included proposal and grant writing, facilitating meetings, researching, and networking.
Since completing her MDP, Happychuk works as the Senior Research and Project Coordinator at NSPI. In this position she conducts research, write reports and collaborates with other organizations to complete projects.
Happychuk’s BSc in Environmental Science from the University of Winnipeg influenced her practicum choices in both her IDS degree and MDP. She says food security and natural resource management have been common themes throughout her studies and work.
It was a desire to combine her interest in the environment and her interest in working with people that led Happychuk to study international development at MSC. Her enjoyment in connecting with people is what she says keeps her inspired to work in development.
“Whether it be in a village and you share a laugh with somebody, or you try to accomplish something together, or in the meetings when you’re working with someone, for me, that’s what I enjoy,” she says.
Ellen Paulley is the Writer & Social Media Coordinator for Menno Simons College
Faculty: In Their Own Words
Karen Ridd, Teaching Associate Professor, Conflict Resolution Studies
Dr. Jonathan Sears, Associate Professor of International Development Studies
Dr. Jodi Dueck-Read, Assistant Professor of Conflict Resolution Studies
Dr. Jerry Buckland, Professor of International Development Studies
