SUMMER SCHOLARS BLOG : Maria Andoryati Hutapea
An Internship Adventure in the Philippines
Welcome to my blog! I’m so excited to share my adventures and experiences with you. My name is Maria Andoryati Hutapea, but you can call me "Mar.” I’m an international student from the vibrant and diverse country of Indonesia. Currently, I am pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Development Practice (MPA-DP) at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University. I am interested in public policy, quantitative analysis, and financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). My favorite sectors are disaster risk resilience and climate change (renewable energy and food systems).
Before embarking on my master’s journey, I spent several years working with Non-Governmental Organizations, primarily focusing on Monitoring and Evaluation in emergency response and development programs. Additionally, I love to travel, hike, capture moments through photography, explore new cuisines, and volunteer.
This blog is dedicated to sharing my journey as a summer scholar with the United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NYC). Through this incredible program, I’ve been given the opportunity to work as a Knowledge Management Intern at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Philippines Accelerator Lab for three months during my summer break. This role allows me to explore how innovation can be leveraged to accelerate SDGs and gain insight into the operations of UN agencies…
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Mabuhay! This warm Filipino greeting, which means "long live" or "welcome," perfectly describes my arrival in Manila. As soon as I got here, I noticed how much this vibrant city reminds me of my hometown, Jakarta, Indonesia. The busy traffic, loud car horns, and hot temperature made me feel right at home. It's been fun here so far because people often think I’m Filipino and keep talking to me in Tagalog. This mix-up has been a great way for me to learn new Tagalog words — fun fact, there are many words similar to my native language! I also feel safe since they don't realize that I am a foreigner here.
Continuous Learning and Exploration During My Weekdays at UNDP
Living just a short ten-minute walk from the office during my internship has been a blessing — I thank my lucky stars I don't have to battle Manila's traffic every day! Mandaluyong City, one of sixteen bustling cities in Metro Manila, has quickly become my home away from home.
Settling in was a breeze, thanks to great accommodation and, most importantly, the incredible friends I've made in the Impact and Advisory Team (IAT). They welcomed me with open arms, and their warmth and support have made all the difference. What struck me first about the team is their youthful energy and spirit — they're not just colleagues; they're friends who make work feel like a blast. From impromptu badminton games (even on my jet-lagged first day, which I'll never forget!) to shared lunches and dinners, we've bonded over both work and play. I've enjoyed making friends in various departments and even among other UN agencies located in our building.
Everyone here is incredibly friendly! From the security officers who warmly greet me with "Morning ma'am" or "Afternoon Pho" every day as I step into the office building on the 15th floor of the Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, to the office housekeepers who keep everything spotless.
My office hours start at 9 am and wind down at 5 pm. During the day, I dive into my assignments, which often involve extensive desk research to grasp the contexts and programs thoroughly. I also participate in team meetings, where brainstorming and planning sessions are lively and engaging. The monthly UNDP staff meetings are a highlight — surprisingly fun and filled with creative approaches to discussing important matters.
I also have valuable coaching sessions with my supervisor, support various workshop activities both in and out of the office, coordinate with government entities, and explore potential innovation infrastructures during site visits.
Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn and contribute, making my internship at UNDP an enriching experience both personally and professionally…
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The above are select excerpts from Maria’s’s blog. You can read all her blogs in their entirety here
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Our Summer Scholars Blog, a collection of reports from post-grad scholars that UNA-NYC has sponsored globally, showcases our fellows' experiences with UN agencies and non-governmental organizations in the country where they are working. Learn more about our Summer Scholars fellowship program and fellows here.