Interning in disaster

By Erika Simpson, associate professor, political science, Western

Was Nicholas alive, dead or injured in the earthquake in Nepal?

Nicholas DiClemente, MA'12 (Political Science), an intern working in Nepal for the United Nations, had completed a master of arts degree in political science under my supervision in 2012. Since then, we had seldom been in touch — unless he wanted another reference letter. One of my most important tasks is writing references so students can go onto graduate school, obtain internships or pursue careers. Like Nicholas’s, most of the internships are outside Canada, due to the lack of opportunity here.

A few days after the April 25 earthquake, Nicholas wrote to me: “I was in fact in the middle of the earthquake and nearly died. It was a surreal experience. I am finally safe now in Malaysia, I haven’t slept in three days. Off to Thailand still. I’ll be back in Kathmandu on Monday.”

Later when he caught up on his sleep, he wrote again: “The earthquake has also had its effect on me personally. I am constantly on high alert and have found sleeping to be difficult. Seeing people run even scares me. The movies don’t quite do an earthquake justice. I will never forget the sounds and images of the two major tremors.

“I am now in Thailand, but I do still plan to return to Kathmandu on Monday. The people I’ve met in Nepal have shown me such an incredible capacity for compassion that I couldn’t bear simply leaving. My plan is to continue out my contract and to volunteer wherever possible.