Professional Experiences
Intern for the University of Freiburg and Eucor Liaison Office New York - Summer 2018
This summer I am currently working as the first intern for the University of Freiburg and the Eucor's Liaison Office for North America, which is based in the German Consulate in New York City, right across from the United Nations. It is a fabulous opportunity, and I am excited to share about all of my experiences from this summer. You can read more here.
This summer I am currently working as the first intern for the University of Freiburg and the Eucor's Liaison Office for North America, which is based in the German Consulate in New York City, right across from the United Nations. It is a fabulous opportunity, and I am excited to share about all of my experiences from this summer. You can read more here.
Program Assistant at the International Student Management Office in Washington, D.C. - Summer 2017
In summer 2017 I had the opportunity to serve as a Program Assistant at the International Student Management Office of the National Defense University. The National Defense University is located in Washington, D.C. on the grounds of Fort McNair. The University is run by the Department of Defense, and is unique in the fact that it specializes in joint military education, so that all branches of the U.S. military come here and work together through their educational experiences (as opposed to the Naval Academy or the Army War College, which only serve on branch). For this reason, it is also referred to as “the Chairman’s University” (the Chairman being the the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The International Student Management Office (ISMO), where I worked, handles the administrative responsibility for all of the international students at the university. However, it would be incorrect to think of this office as the typical education abroad office at a university. The international students at the university do not apply in the conventional sense, but rather are chosen to come through a highly-selective process involving their home governments, the United States Department of Defense and the Department of State. The candidates are chosen with the intent that upon completing their year-long fellowship program at NDU, they will advance to the highest positions in their country’s military or government. Generally, military personnel are at the O-6 rank level or civilians that hold high positions in their country’s defense departments or in organizations like NATO. ISMO facilitates the arrival and stay of over a hundred of these international fellows from over 60 countries each year.
As a program assistant during the summer term, I had the opportunity to experience both the end and the beginning of this year-long fellowship experience. During my first few weeks at ISMO, I assisted with various aspects of their graduation. This included correcting course certificates, revising and editing evaluation letters for each of the Fellows which would ultimately be approved and sent from the office of the President of NDU, and aiding with the execution of the International Fellows graduation dinner. The dinner itself took place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and was a highlight of my internship. I helped design placards, prep table flags for the numerous international guests, designed a slideshow of photos highlighting events from throughout the year. It was amazing to see this spectacular event come together, and to have opportunity to celebrate alongside the graduating class of 2017.
Barely a week later, we began to in-process the new class of International Fellows. While this involved a few early mornings and extremely busy days, working with the new fellows in the more-intimate “homeroom” setting we adopted to take care of sensitive administrative paperwork also afforded me the opportunity to speak and get to know a select number of the fellows on a more personal level. The opportunity for this kind of interaction continued as we sat in on their classes and accompanied them on field studies throughout the D.C. area, and it was fascinating to hear their perspectives on topics such as the reasons for the American Revolution, design of various D.C. war memorials, or the American approach to press freedom. These field studies also provided invaluable opportunities for me to visit and experience the Pentagon, the Supreme Court, the Capitol, and several D.C. museums as I accompanied the Fellows on these “field studies.”
Finally, this summer provided me with insight into military and government culture. I learned a lot about military etiquette and culture, both from interacting with the fellows, and from working on a base.
In summer 2017 I had the opportunity to serve as a Program Assistant at the International Student Management Office of the National Defense University. The National Defense University is located in Washington, D.C. on the grounds of Fort McNair. The University is run by the Department of Defense, and is unique in the fact that it specializes in joint military education, so that all branches of the U.S. military come here and work together through their educational experiences (as opposed to the Naval Academy or the Army War College, which only serve on branch). For this reason, it is also referred to as “the Chairman’s University” (the Chairman being the the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The International Student Management Office (ISMO), where I worked, handles the administrative responsibility for all of the international students at the university. However, it would be incorrect to think of this office as the typical education abroad office at a university. The international students at the university do not apply in the conventional sense, but rather are chosen to come through a highly-selective process involving their home governments, the United States Department of Defense and the Department of State. The candidates are chosen with the intent that upon completing their year-long fellowship program at NDU, they will advance to the highest positions in their country’s military or government. Generally, military personnel are at the O-6 rank level or civilians that hold high positions in their country’s defense departments or in organizations like NATO. ISMO facilitates the arrival and stay of over a hundred of these international fellows from over 60 countries each year.
As a program assistant during the summer term, I had the opportunity to experience both the end and the beginning of this year-long fellowship experience. During my first few weeks at ISMO, I assisted with various aspects of their graduation. This included correcting course certificates, revising and editing evaluation letters for each of the Fellows which would ultimately be approved and sent from the office of the President of NDU, and aiding with the execution of the International Fellows graduation dinner. The dinner itself took place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts and was a highlight of my internship. I helped design placards, prep table flags for the numerous international guests, designed a slideshow of photos highlighting events from throughout the year. It was amazing to see this spectacular event come together, and to have opportunity to celebrate alongside the graduating class of 2017.
Barely a week later, we began to in-process the new class of International Fellows. While this involved a few early mornings and extremely busy days, working with the new fellows in the more-intimate “homeroom” setting we adopted to take care of sensitive administrative paperwork also afforded me the opportunity to speak and get to know a select number of the fellows on a more personal level. The opportunity for this kind of interaction continued as we sat in on their classes and accompanied them on field studies throughout the D.C. area, and it was fascinating to hear their perspectives on topics such as the reasons for the American Revolution, design of various D.C. war memorials, or the American approach to press freedom. These field studies also provided invaluable opportunities for me to visit and experience the Pentagon, the Supreme Court, the Capitol, and several D.C. museums as I accompanied the Fellows on these “field studies.”
Finally, this summer provided me with insight into military and government culture. I learned a lot about military etiquette and culture, both from interacting with the fellows, and from working on a base.
Docent and English Tour Relations at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard - Summer 2014
In summer 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to live and work at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard in the French Alps for five weeks. During this time, I facilitated the English tours and coordinated visits of the castle with an international team of French and Dutch docents. I conducted research with local historians to improve the English version of the tour offered to visitors, assisted the Count and Countess with daily operations, and provided customer service in English, French, and German. Working at the Château de Menthon was a life-changing experience and an amazing foray into working in an international environment.
In summer 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to live and work at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard in the French Alps for five weeks. During this time, I facilitated the English tours and coordinated visits of the castle with an international team of French and Dutch docents. I conducted research with local historians to improve the English version of the tour offered to visitors, assisted the Count and Countess with daily operations, and provided customer service in English, French, and German. Working at the Château de Menthon was a life-changing experience and an amazing foray into working in an international environment.