This summer, Tresor Ndala Buzangu ‘26 had the opportunity to create something new during his internship at Musizi University in Uganda. Assigned to the Work Industry Neutral Growth Skills (WINGS) Program, he helped develop the University’s first-ever mentorship framework, designed to connect high school participants with older peers and alumni who could guide them as they transitioned into university and prepared for the future. “The idea was to make sure participants didn’t lose direction after graduating high school, but had people they could always turn to,” he explained.
The internship sharpened Buzangu’s ability to adapt. Projects often shifted as institutional needs changed, requiring flexibility. “Having the ability to just change what you initially planned and what has now become the priority was a skill I acquired,” he recalled. Being the only African intern in his group taught him to navigate cultural differences with empathy, boosting his confidence and social awareness.
Buzangu credits Ashesi for preparing him with the skills that mattered most in these moments. Classroom presentations that once made him nervous became the foundation of his newfound confidence. Group work that emphasized collaboration taught him to share responsibility. These experiences translated directly into his ability to engage students, coordinate teams, and represent himself professionally during his internship.
This internship offered Buzangu many opportunities for growth and leadership. He learned to take initiative, adapt when information was limited, and understand the value of asking the right questions—even when not all details were available. “If I could go back in time, I would have tried even harder to get every small detail I needed,” he reflected.
What the internship offered was not only practical exposure but also clarity on his long-term career vision. “I have always wanted a career with these two components, technology and education, and the internship has given me a better perspective,” he emphasized.
