My preference in terms of destination belonged to Asia. Hence, when I found out that I would be heading to Vietnam, I could not have been more excited. Working in the EU Delegation in Hanoi has fulfilled and at times even surpassed my expectations. The work here is extremely interesting and diverse as Vietnam belongs among the most dynamic countries in the region. I have got a chance to get involved in a number of different fields as well as establish my own areas of responsibility ranging from political reporting to climate change and public diplomacy. I have also got a lot of insights into how the EU coordination is done with Member States on the ground and learned a lot from my senior colleagues.

On a personal level, the JPD program has broadened my horizons by enabling me to immerse into the Vietnamese culture and learn more about the different peoples of Southeast Asia. To me, Vietnam is a fascinating country with breath-taking landscapes, rich history and a very dynamic population. However, adapting to the Vietnamese way of life has not always been easy due to the language barrier and cultural differences. Nevertheless, I have almost always felt welcomed here.

I think that JPD is a great program for giving young professionals a taste of how it is to represent the EU in a third country. Throughout this JPD experience, I have felt time flying by very fast. I try to take this as a sign showing how much I am enjoying my time in Vietnam. As they say: “Bad news is that time flies. Good news is that you are the pilot.”

Elina attended a farewell call of the Head of Delegation in Vietnem HoD Franz Jessen with the highest leader of Vietnam – Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam - Mr Nguyen Phu Trong, which was shown in the national news: 

Elina PRAAKEL from Estonia – EEAS JPD in Vietnam  

For more information about the JPD programme, please visit our website: http://eeas.europa.eu/jobs/delegations/junior-professional-delegations/