Sasha Llanes Kaminski
BA International Studies and Economics
During my internship experience abroad, I was able to gain a lot of personal and professional experience. Thank you to my fellowship donors, they were able to help me gain more of an understanding of the career path I want to take, and advance my knowledge in the field.
This past summer, I worked for a travel agency, Tripjoin. Tripjoin is a small start-up based in Barcelona, ES. They are a Spanish travel operator that is catered towards young, curious travelers that want to join a group of similar, like-minded people. They care for your excursions, hotels, transfers, and the entirety of your experience. Iair Mowszet and Gerard Serra are the two founders of the company, who I worked under for about 7-8 weeks. I worked closely with Gerard Serra, and a fellow colleague, Juan, who specialized in destination expansion, market research, and competitive strategy. In short, I connected with destination management companies in various countries in Europe in order to attract a wider clientele to the company. As Tripjoin already had many previous trips in places like Marrakech, Morocco, Bali, Thailand, and more- they felt that it was about time to expand throughout their home continent, Europe. During my experience, I was able to connect Tripjoin with destination management companies and create itineraries for trips in Madeira, Portugal, or Budapest, Hungary, and even Lapland, Finland. I learned a lot about expansion strategy, strategic communications, and how to effectively research for operational growth.
For personal experience, this fellowship helped me understand what I want to do and who I want to be. This experience solidified my desire to pursue a career that involves both travel and international business. Being able to work in a foreign country allowed me to gain independence, build confidence, and even explore a culture that contrasts mine so greatly. During my experience, I was provided housing in a student residence with other undergraduate students in the United States. I had connected with people from Colorado Boulder, University of Wisconsin, and even ivy leagues like Harvard and Cornell. Some of these students became some of my best friends today and made this experience not so lonely. However, even as I met people, I learned how to budget my money, work on my decision making, and how to adapt to different environments. I built more confidence and self-esteem by being in an environment without my original support system. Also, even as both Spain and the United States are two similar countries in numerous aspects, their lifestyles are so different. Their work culture is strikingly different from the United States. There is this quote I had heard prior, “People in Europe work to live, while people in the United States live to work.” At first glance, this quote may not be as prominent; however, by living in Europe it became exceedingly clear. The Spaniards, and the people I had met genuinely enjoy the simplicities of life, and value their leisure time spent with both family and friends. I felt as if my day was a good balance of work and growth, while also learning to enjoy life outside of consistent effort. This mentality, I would like to integrate into my own lifestyle at school. Hard-work is always rewarded and a good part of discipline; however, I need not be so serious and enjoy the special moments with the people in my life. Apart from all these personal skills, mentalities, and experiences I had, I was able to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the Spanish language. Through work and everyday life, I spoke Spanish with my supervisors, colleagues, and even the locals. It helped me gain a skill I have been trying to grow since I was in seventh grade. This immersion helped all my skills from speaking, writing, listening and more. I could not be more grateful for this experience, language, and culture.
In a more professional standpoint, my internship has allowed me to gain plenty of both hard and soft skills that I will be taking into my future career. This experience helped me grow on prior skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem solving, and expand on newer skills such as strategy and research. After completing this internship- through creating packages, itineraries, and connecting with numerous partnership destinations- I grew confidence in my outreach skills. My start-up was in the center of Barcelona where I worked in an office environment from nine to six Monday through Thursdays, and I had remote Fridays. This experience was so different from what I had experienced before as working in retail and food service rely on me being constantly on my feet. Also, this internship has allowed me to make significant contributions and have hands-on experience on business operations as I have previously only been used to working for corporate companies. Through all of this, whether it is hard or soft skills, working in an office environment, and working with a variety of different people- I feel more prepared and confident to pursue a future career in international business. I hope to continue growing these skills with future experiences; however, I could not be more grateful for my fellowship donors for providing this opportunity. It created a foundation for success in my future.
Regina Medina Roman
BA International Studies and German
This summer I had the opportunity to intern at Germany Trade & Invest in New York City. This internship significantly advanced my educational goals in International Studies by allowing me to apply concepts from my coursework to real-world questions surrounding international business, economic development, foreign direct investment, and transatlantic economic relations. As an International Studies major focusing on Political Economy and Development, I have been particularly interested in understanding how businesses, and international institutions interact within the global economy. My experience at Germany Trade & Invest provided me with firsthand insight into these relationships and helped me better understand how international economic policy translates into business decisions and economic development strategies.
During my internship, I conducted research on economic developments, foreign direct investment, and specific industries and markets relevant to American companies seeking to expand to the biggest economy in Europe (Germany). I worked with market and sector research, analyzed information using databases and created expansion reports to conduct outreach on companies engaging in expansion. Working in GTAI’s New York office exposed me to the importance of transatlantic trade and investment and showed me how organizations can facilitate international economic cooperation. Through GTAI’s work with organizations such as the German American Chamber of Commerce, I gained a better understanding of the networks that connect governments, businesses, and economic development organizations across borders.
The internship also contributed to my professional development as a student interested in working across cultures and international markets. Being part of a German organization in the United States allowed me to use my German language skills in a professional environment and better understand German-American business relations. It reinforced my interest in pursuing a career that combines international affairs with business and economic analysis.
Overall, the PICS fellowship made it possible for me to gain practical experience that directly complemented my International Studies education. My time at Germany Trade & Invest helped me move beyond the classroom and see how concepts such as international trade and political economy operate in practice. The experience has strengthened both my academic interests and my professional goals, while giving me a clearer understanding of how I can use my International Studies background to contribute to international economic and business relationships.
Natalie Nikolajevs
BA International Studies
This past spring term, I was lucky enough to receive funding from the PICS Summer Research/Internship Fellowship to support my participation in the University of Michigan-Dearborn Ottawa Internship Program. During my time in Ottawa, I worked in the office of Member of Parliament Iqra Khalid in the Parliament of Canada and gained invaluable knowledge through my experiences there.
As an intern, I was fully immersed in the world of Canadian politics. I got to sit in on a variety of committee meetings where politicians crafted legislation to help benefit the lives of Canadians. It was interesting to hear about the Canadian perspective on the United States as well, especially in light of the recent tariffs and tension between our nations. The discussions about this put into perspective how interwoven Canada and the United States are and the impact that the legislation each country passes can have on the other. I delved into the realm of Canadian law as I supported my MP’s work on the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights by writing briefings for her prior to meetings. I also attended one of the meetings for the Standing Committee on International Human Rights which was a particularly special opportunity given my passion for the subject area and the fact that I am one of the Donia Human Rights Center Fellows.
Beyond my time in committee, I also took advantage of working in the government to interview a variety of influential individuals who gave me insight into the work they do and very meaningful advice. First, I interviewed the Latvian Ambassador to Canada who discussed his experiences working in international affairs and the sacrifices he’s made to do this important work. I was grateful to hear about his experiences as an ambassador and what it’s like working in diverse countries. He shared how the topics he discusses with the local government vary highly depending on where he is and what the Latvian government needs to discuss with them most. I also interviewed multiple Members of Parliament, such as MP Marilyn Gladu, MP Tim Louis, MP Jessica Fancy, and MP Anita Vandenbeld. They shared stories from their careers and what life is like as a Canadian politician. My conversations with MP Louis and MP Vandenbeld were especially impactful. MP Louis has a similar interest in the performing arts as I do and we bonded over our love of music. He also shared what it’s like being an American-born politician in Canada and how that impacts his experiences in Parliament. MP Vandenbeld has worked internationally and gave me extensive advice on careers in the international affairs and human rights spheres. She also discussed her transition into politics after working in these fields.
Finally, I was able to interview multiple interpreters who perform simultaneous interpretation for the House of Commons and even visit the interpretation booth. As someone who studies Spanish and French, it was exciting to hear about a potential career field and the importance of French and English to Canadian culture.
I would not have been able to connect with these individuals or have these amazing experiences without the support of the PICS Summer Research/Internship Fellowship. Thisfunding meant the world to me. It allowed me to have this unforgettable experience that changed my life for the better and gave me the confidence to work in political and international fields in the future.
Alexa Sohn
Internship Site: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights
Major: Double major International Studies and Political Science
Class 2028
“This summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad through IES Abroad, a U-M Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS) partner program, while interning at the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights in Vienna, Austria. I chose Vienna because it is an international hub for diplomacy and human rights, with organizations like the United Nations playing a significant role in the city. I wanted to experience what it would be like to work in an international setting, and I could not have asked for a better place to do so. As an added bonus, my office was located in a historic palace, which made going to work every day feel incredibly unique.
I worked on the Human Dignity and Public Security team, where I was trusted with meaningful projects that challenged me both academically and professionally. One of my main responsibilities was helping facilitate a conference for the IMPACT Project, Enhancing National Monitoring Mechanisms to Protect the Rights of Detainees with Intellectual and/or Psychosocial Disabilities Across the European Union. I also conducted extensive research on the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT), analyzing annual reports and compiling detailed country fact sheets that required careful research, writing, and attention to detail.”
Allison Voto
BA International Studies and Political Science
Over the summer, I interned as a legislative staffer with Canadian Member of Parliament Marcus Powlowski, who represents the riding of Thunder Bay—Rainy River in Ontario, Canada. This internship, done as part of a study abroad program through U-M Dearborn, was uniquely tailored to fit my academic interests and develop my professional skills. Because the office was relatively small, I was given meaningful work and worked closely with my supervisors, including the M.P. I saw all sides of the political process, from taking notes during meetings with outside organizations to researching bills to develop questions for committees. Throughout the internship, I worked on constituent services to assist residents of the riding, sat in on Parliamentary sessions, and conducted my own research projects. I gained a behind-the-scenes perspective on the workings of a legislative office, including how crucial decisions with global implications are made and how essential work is completed. This work also helped me develop critical professional skills, including strengthening my research, writing, and analytical skills through legislative briefs, correspondence, and policy analysis.
This internship also helped me to connect my International Studies classes at Michigan to practical experience. For example, I expanded my knowledge base of three topics I find very interesting: immigration policy, indigenous politics, and environmental protections in the Great Lakes. I have taken several classes on all of these topics, so this experience gave me practical experience. For example, my assignments included writing several briefings for M.P. Powlowski, including on rural immigration in Canada and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. For this writing, I drew on previous knowledge from U-M classes. Additionally, M.P. Powlowski’s riding includes the Treaty Five First Nations, so I communicated with their offices and coordinated several events relating to their historic treaty rights. These experiences allowed me to apply my knowledge practically and see how class material plays out in the real world. Most importantly, though, I learned an incredible amount about the ways the Canadian parliamentary system functions.
As someone who’s applying to law school and intends to work as an attorney, this internship provided a valuable opportunity to learn more about the ways policies are formed. Participating in such a behind-the-scenes way in the formation of Canadian policy also encouraged me to think very deeply about the differences between the parliamentary system of Canada and the presidential system I grew up with in the United States, allowing me to critically examine the advantages and disadvantages. For example, while Canada’s appointed Senate was quite shocking to me, I grew to really appreciate the power of a nonpartisan head of state, who can represent Canada as a country rather than specific policies. That symbolism has real power on the international stage!
Interestingly, much of my internship involved the relationship between Canada and the United States, which has obviously become increasingly tenuous in recent months. As a result, I developed practical skills in navigating politically tense situations, both personally when talking to staffers as an American and professionally as we worked to solve issues. For example, one major issue during my internship was a proposed mine in Minnesota that potentially could pollute the Boundary Waters, a shared watershed between Minnesota and Powlowski’s riding. To address this issue, I helped arrange Powlowski’s trip to Washington, D.C., along with several representatives of the Treaty Five First Nations, to speak with American senators, representatives, and non-profit organizations. Additionally, we spoke with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, founded by a bilateral treaty between the two countries, about controversies surrounding their Canadian funding. I also learned more about Canada’s relationship with other nations. As part of the internship program, I interviewed the Ecuadorian ambassador about his goals in Canada and learned more about his perspective on diplomacy. Additionally, I arranged a meeting with the Australian embassy for my M.P. to learn more about immigration and international diplomacy. These experiences increased my practical skills in dealing with difficult circumstances while increasing my knowledge base of Canadian-American relations as well.
Lastly, living in Canada for five weeks taught me a lot about Canadian culture, from simple things like their commitment to bilingual education to learning about history from the Canadian perspective. For example, in our first weekend in Ottawa, a group of people in my cohort went to the Tulip Festival, an annual celebration with over 300,000 flowers. The tulips are donated by the Dutch to honor Canada’s role in shelting their exiled royal family during World War II. It was also fascinating to visit Ottawa’s many museums, as I learned much more about the Canadian role in many major world events. A few aspects were a little more difficult, including the fact that I don’t speak French and didn’t know a lot about the Commonwealth. On a fun note, as a hockey fan, I loved being in Canada during the playoffs, and a friend and I even attended an Ottawa Charge PWHL playoff game!
Overall, this internship taught me practical skills and greatly expanded my knowledge of a country that has historically been one of the U.S.’s greatest allies. This international and intercultural experience has made me a better student, a more informed person, and better prepared for my future career and life ahead.
