Major: English
Hometown: Harleysville, PA

How did you learn about this opportunity?

I interned with the U.S. Department of State in the summer of 2016 under the unpaid Student Internship Program. That summer, I met someone in the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program, a two-summer internship program with the State Department that is fully funded and allows interns the opportunity to work both at a bureau in D.C. and at a U.S. Embassy overseas. He encouraged me to apply.

Tell us a little bit about your experience.

During the first three weeks, I completed a training with the 27 other interns in the program on leadership, presentation skills, professional writing, and government operations. The training was led by Ambassadors and other senior State Department officials. We all spent the next seven weeks interning in various offices. I interned with the Bureau of Public Affairs, working on educational outreach programs and public relations. Next summer I will intern at U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia.

The U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program is an unparalleled opportunity to learn what it is like to be a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. 

How did this experience impact you academically?

This experience made me a better writer and editor. Writing is highly valued at the State Department, and I had the opportunity to be coached in writing by my supervisors and training instructors. I am now more confident in producing professional reports and memos while under time pressure.

What are your career goals and plans?  How did this experience impact them?

This experience made me interested in becoming a Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) with the U.S. Department of State. I had the chance to work with several Foreign Service Officers this summer, and their breadth of experience, diverse skill sets, and commitment to public service never ceased to impress me.

Would you recommend this experience to other Liberal Arts students?

Yes! The U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program is an unparalleled opportunity to learn what it is like to be a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. The opportunity to meet other interns with similar interests as well as professional diplomats was invaluable in itself.