#011

It's back to school, ladies and gentlemen.

Yesterday was simultaneously one of the best and worst days of my life.

Let's start with the good news.

I got several tests back, and the results were rather satisfying:

• Maths: 16.25/17.

• Mental calculation: 5.5/6.

• French vocabulary: 18.5/20.

• Another French test: 17/20.

• English: 18/20.

EXCUSE ME???

I would like to point out that I sat both maths tests while feverish. Apparently, my immune system and I have different priorities.

And before anyone asks, yes, I have been doing well in maths since the beginning of the year. We are maintaining the standards.

Now, onto the less exciting part of yesterday.

As part of our 3ème curriculum, we have to complete an observation placement around January–February. Back in September, I decided to aim for an international organisation, preferably somewhere connected to child rights, public health, and education.

I contacted several organisations in the United States, including UNICEF USA. Their Youth Engagement Team was genuinely lovely, but unfortunately, they couldn't accommodate an international observation placement. They recommended contacting UNICEF Tunisia instead.

So I did.

Two follow-ups and MANY phone calls later, I am still waiting for a response.

Fair enough. Organisations have procedures, limited capacity, and approximately seventeen thousand emails to deal with. I understand.

But then came an interesting development.

I have a classmate, whom we shall call Red. He initially wanted to complete his placement in sports journalism. After I mentioned my interest in UNICEF, he became interested in the same opportunity.

The difference? He has connections.

He told me yesterday that he was quite close to securing the placement. When I asked whether he could introduce me to his contact, his response was:

"Ehh, I don't really want to. Good luck."

Well.

That was certainly a contribution to the conversation.

I won't pretend I wasn't annoyed. I've been pursuing this since September, researching, emailing, calling, and following up. I have the academic results, the initiative, and a genuine interest in the work. What I don't have is an established connection.

And sometimes, that is the part you cannot solve by simply working harder.

Anyway, I found another route.

I remembered that UNICEF USA had previously responded to my enquiry, so I wrote back explaining that I had followed their recommendation but hadn't managed to reach the appropriate team in Tunisia. I asked whether they might be able to forward my original request or direct me to someone who could help.

Will it work? I have no idea.

But asking costs me nothing.

And then, naturally, I went to cry next to my seven-year-old brother.

His advice was that if I wanted it, I could do it. He then suggested that I should STOMP into UNICEF with confidence and tell them that I had already emailed, nobody had answered, and I would now like a meeting.

I think we have identified the family's next career counsellor.

He hugged me, and I felt considerably better. Not that the situation had magically changed, but sometimes a little encouragement is all you need to get back to thinking clearly.

So, that's where things stand.

I have no confirmed placement, no convenient connections, and no idea whether UNICEF USA will be able to help.

But I have another lead, and I intend to follow it.

Besides, I have a reputation for collecting sidequests. It would be rather inconsistent to stop now.