What One Month At the Right Internship Can Teach you: My Experience as a Software Development Intern with AKAYA x Remoteli

Written By Favour Amourzang Fri Fon 

“One never truly knows what lies ahead”.

This is the phrase that echoed through my mind as I wrapped up my software development internship. I did not expect that a single month could stretch me in so many directions – technically, professionally and personally.

But that is exactly what happened.

Starting the Journey

Last year, I joined the AKAYA Foundation as an intern, supporting initiatives that empowered young girls across Ghana. This role opened the door to something new and unexpected: a Frontend Developer Internship with Remoteli, made possible through AKAYA’s partnership.

From the very first virtual meeting to the last line of code I submitted, the journey was fast paced, enlightening and deeply fulfilling. I stepped in eager to learn, and found not only skills and structure, but a community that supported me every step of the way.

Structure with Intention

The internship followed a rhythm that created room for both accountability and growth. Every week I had two anchor calls: one with my internship supervisor, Andy Aladi, and one with Eunice Afua Brown, Head of CSR at Remoteli. The anchor calls were not just routine check-ins. They were thoughtful conversations that pushed me to reflect on my progress and articulate any challenges.

Towards the end of the internship, Andy organised a one-on-one virtual session with a professional UI/UX designer. That conversation enlightened me on how thoughtful design affects user behavior and accessibility. Design, I learned, is not just how something looks, but also how it feels, functions and invites users in.

From Code to Concept

Technically, we followed a lesson plan from myroadmaps.sh sandwiched in between by numerous lesson calls with my supervisor on software engineering principles to complex frontend concepts.

The project that anchored my internship was an open-ended challenge to create a responsive demo website for a fictional organization. I came up with TechLearn, whose goal is to teach web development through its very structure, layout and interactive elements.

Every component was built with intention, from the playful margins and subtle animations to a feedback form that encouraged users to engage. It was the first time I felt like I was designing something with complete and clear understanding of how I wanted it to be both useful and educational. And when my HR evaluator, who had no background in web development confidently understood my demo presentation even with tech heavy details, I realised I had really been learning.

Learning Beyond the Code

Beyond coding, the internship wove in career-building sessions that made a lasting impact. I participated in calls focused on interview assessments and CV building which were both personalised and practical. I now have a sharper CV, better interview strategies, and a clearer sense of how to articulate my skills and goals to make me a standout candidate for any role.

What stood out to me was how holistic the approach was, the constant balance between technical tasks and professional development, and the steady support, which reminded of how AKAYA functions as well.

A Culture that Lifts

Behind every breakthrough moment was someone who made space for it. My supervisor became a mentor, showing up consistently and with compassion in explaining tricky concepts, and Eunice brought kindness and wisdom to every CSR check in, leaving nuggets on friendship and career I will carry along with me for life.

I am also incredibly grateful to the AKAYA Foundation, without which none of this would have been possible, for all the check-ins behind the scenes, and the support which enabled me take care of the nuances that come with virtual internships in a developing country like mine (Cameroon).

What I am Taking with me

I still find it amazing that all of this happened in just one month, but the intensity of the experience made time feel rich and not rushed.

I walked in with little understanding and a growing interest in frontend development. I walked out with a working demo site, a deeper understanding of UI/UX, refined communication skills, and a mindset that prioritises clarity and inclusiveness in design. I now care about how my interfaces going forward make people feel and I will never forget how something as little as loading = “lazy” can meaningfully improve a user’s experience.

So, No. It wasn’t “just” a remote internship. It was a carefully crafted space that encouraged me to explore, build, ask questions and reflect. And perhaps my biggest takeaway of all is that What you get out of an internship depends on what you’re willing to put in, but the right ecosystem multiplies your effort.

I’m grateful to AKAYA and Remoteli for building that ecosystem. And to anyone wondering if one month is enough to grow, you would be surprised what can happen when structure, mentorship and support all align.