Gustavo Sousa Torres is a second-year MPA/ID student at the Harvard Kennedy School. He was accepted into the Growth Lab’s 2024 Summer Internship Program and contributed to an ongoing project with the Kingdom of Morocco.
Why did you apply to the Growth Lab Summer Internship?
I sought a structured environment to maximize my learning during the summer internship. As an MPA/ID candidate, the Growth Lab offered a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience related to core curriculum courses, such as statistics, data analysis using R, and economics. My interest in the Growth Lab’s methodology grew after attending their sessions, where I was captivated by their approaches to tackling development challenges.
What did you work on?
I analyzed Morocco’s tourism sector under the guidance of the Growth Lab. My previous experience at the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism was helpful in this project, allowing me to apply my background while learning extensively about Morocco. The availability of good quality data in Morocco enabled me to compare and evaluate the country’s performance over time across various metrics, such as accommodation, visitor numbers, and international rankings. My work involved analyzing national and international tourism datasets and conducting interviews with research institutions and private sector stakeholders to interpret the data better.
In what ways were you challenged?
Enhancing my R skills was a significant and rewarding challenge. Although I often spent considerable time on seemingly minor tasks, such as tidying datasets and adjusting legends and colors, mastering these skills was gratifying. Before joining the Kennedy School, I had no experience with R, so this experience was crucial in developing my technical capabilities.
What was your most exciting/surprising experience?
The Moroccan hospitality and culture left a lasting impression on me. Even though I had previously visited Morocco for work as a representative of the Brazilian government, spending the summer there allowed me to engage more deeply with Moroccans and appreciate their rich culture. I had the chance to visit Marrakech, Fès, Tânger, and Rabat, where I admired the stunning cities and conducted informal research by conversing with tourism sector workers. These interactions provided useful insights into their challenges and perspectives on the industry. Another pleasant surprise was meeting a diverse group of interns from American and European universities, which allowed me to learn about their research topics in Morocco.
What advice would you give to future interns?
Maintain consistent communication with the Growth Lab team to present your findings and seek guidance throughout the project. Understand that the internship supports the broader project goals, so have a clear grasp of how your work contributes to the overall objectives. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when facing challenges, whether in contacting stakeholders or conducting data analysis. The Growth Lab team is always supportive and offers constructive feedback, and I’m delighted with my experience.
What’s next for you?
I aim to develop my data analysis skills further to provide more profound insights and apply what I learned at the Growth Lab in different contexts, including Brazil. My long-term goal is to return to the Federal Government of Brazil, where I can utilize the knowledge gained in various fields to help design innovative public policies.
