Los Angeles World Affairs Council (LAWAC) | Events Coordination and Research & Development

During her four-month summer internship, Nathalie researched foreign affairs topics to inform and shape community events, while also supporting the Programs Manager in planning and executing events of various sizes and formats.

“LAWAC was a very impactful experience because the leadership constantly pushed me to do better and gave me opportunities to learn and grow.”

The internship deepened Nathalie’s ability to approach complex global issues from a nonpartisan perspective, showing her how the theory she studied in the classroom connects to the real-world conversations shaping security, diplomacy, and governance.

American Foreign Policy Council | Russia and Ukraine Program / Middle East Program

Chloe conducted foreign policy research and writing, supported domestic and international delegations, contributed to editorial work and publications, assisted with event planning, and provided general administrative support across programs.

“Two of the highlights of my internship were being part of a community of motivated peers and learning from brilliant mentors. This experience helped me develop practical skills, gain deeper insight into global affairs, and clarify my future career goals.”

The internship pushed Chloe to apply her academic knowledge to high-stakes, real-world contexts — most notably through participation in a high-level bipartisan delegation to China — deepening her understanding that effective diplomacy requires not just strategic analysis, but also adaptability and an appreciation for diverse perspectives.

The Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS), Vrije Universiteit Brussel | Japan Chair (Japan Research Division)

During his eight-week internship, Kotaro assisted Professor Eva Pejsova in organizing international events and symposiums, supported document preparation, and co-authored a policy paper on strengthening Japan’s national security capabilities for a European audience.

“What I realized through this internship is that the most important thing is not just completing assigned tasks, but proactively seeking out learning opportunities — how much you can absorb from the field and integrate into your own perspective is what leads to growth.”

The internship gave Kotaro a firsthand look at the gap between theory and practice, as attending high-level conferences with EU and NATO officials and co-authoring a policy paper challenged him to translate academic research into concrete, real-world recommendations.

Institute for the Study of War | Geointelligence Team, Russia-Ukraine Project

During the internship, Jake used geospatial tools including ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, and Experience Builder to create map visualizations tracking territorial changes in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War, working in coordination with the Russian and Middle Eastern Teams.

“A highlight of my internship was seeing a map that I had helped create appear on Fox News — with my own name in the corner.”

The internship sharpened Jake’s ability to work under pressure and on a professional schedule, while giving him rare, hands-on experience in the geospatial field — a skill set that stands out in an increasingly competitive job market.