Internship
U.S. Department of Defense: Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies

Where are you from?  Why did you choose JMU?
I am from Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I chose to attend JMU because I recognized that the university had a lot of interesting programs and study abroad opportunities, as well as a wonderful Political Science department that would support me in attaining a comprehensive International Affairs education and developing a strong professional skill-set through unique out-of-classroom experiences.

Why did you decide to participate in Washington Semester?
The Washington Semester experience was one of the main reasons that I chose to attend JMU as an International Affairs major. While I knew that International Affairs was what I was passionate about, I was never quite sure of the career path it would lead me towards. I hoped, in participating in this program, that working a full-time internship in my field would allow me to consider what kind of professional work I really wanted to do long-term.

What were the highlights of your internship?
The highlights of my internship were being able to use my Arabic language skills to discuss international politics and security with visiting Iraqi service members. Another highlight was attending high-level meetings in which international affairs leaders and the U.S. military exchanged ideas on U.S. foreign policy.

How did you adjust to the impact of COVID-19 on your Washington experience?
When COVID-19 spread to Washington, DC, my office in the DoD began conducting business online. I took notes on conferences and other meetings through video chats and became more accustomed to connecting with my co-workers and supervisors through email or other messaging services. This was not ideal, but I do feel that I still had a complete internship experience in which I continued learning about the federal government and U.S. national security priorities. Our JMU classes also transitioned to online. Overall, I am fortunate to have had a decent amount of time living in Washington, and the online portion of the semester was still intellectually and professionally rewarding.

What advice would you offer to future Washington Semester students?
I would tell future Washington semester students to not be afraid to network with people whether that be JMU alumni or professionals at your internship. Hearing about other people's professional experiences and educational backgrounds can help you realize the best path for achieving your career goals, and I have found people love to talk about their accomplishments and provide guidance to young professionals. Also, I would urge those Washington Semester students who do get to spend the semester living in DC post-COVID-19, to make the most of their time in the city by going to think tank events, cultural events, shows, museums, visiting embassies, etc. it is an amazing city with a lot to offer, and in the short time I studied there I truly feel that I became a more knowledgeable, independent, and intellectually curious person.

What are your long-term career plans?
I have always been interested in the U.S. engagement in foreign conflicts and the international ideological, political, and cultural differences that cause or exacerbate conflict. I hope to find a post-graduate position with the federal government or a think tank focused on human rights or international relations, attend graduate school in the next few years, and ultimately create a career in the Department of State working to analyze and improve U.S. foreign policy.