My Journey Into The UN System – Part III

The Confidence and Naivité of a 30-Year Old

So even before I received my first UN offer, I was confident I would work for the UN. I was young, educated, had both professional and life experiences, and the confidence in my ability to live and work anywhere to be of service.  I had dreams of living a unique life and while I was in Guirgho, I read the self-help book, ‘What Color Is Your Parachute’ and completed the book’s workbook. I discovered what I was best at, enjoyed most, where I wanted to work, who I wanted to work with, what I could do to help others, and the compensation package I needed to live my best life.

However, not fully understanding the competitiveness of snagging a UN, NGO or Foreign Service job with a generous benefits package that comes with international assignments, my blind faith led me to decline a job offer and question why I was being deployed to Rwanda. (By the way, I cringe every time I think about my boldness.)  The naivité of it all!

Kigali Duty Station

I am ashamed to say, moving to Kigali was stressful. I was afraid. However, after arriving in Kigali, meeting so many Rwandans, UN colleagues from every corner of the world, and the diplomatic community (dinner parties every weekend).  Moving to Rwanda was one of my most significant decisions I made. Or decision the UN made on my behalf.  Fourteen amazing (and challenging) years of my life spent in an environment of acceptance, peace, understanding, beauty, learning, handling diverse opportunities, supportive friendships, and happiness was the unique life I dreamed about.

Thank you for joining me on My Journey Into the UN System. If you have similar experiences, please feel free to comment below.