Abigail Goodman
Major in International Studies & Middle Eastern Studies
Class of 2025
I had a great time working at UN Watch and note-taking at the UN this summer. My three month internship gave me valuable insight into the world of NGOs and think tanks, and taught me the ins and outs of how the United Nations operates.
It was an absolute pleasure to put my international studies education into practice this summer. Too often, we don’t have the opportunity to take what we learn in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations. Hearing people from all over the world, in all types of situations, and with such diverse perspectives speak at the UN taught me not to take my cultural standpoint for granted. What I consider to be true from my limited perspective is not necessarily correct. We should all strive to think critically about our implicit assumptions before acting on them.
I thank Ms. Amy Rose Silverman for her generous contribution to advancing my educational and professional goals this summer.
Eli Merren
International Studies
Class of 2025
When I was first made aware of the International Human Rights Fellowship that would allow me to intern at Perseus Strategies, I was slightly intimidated. As a first-generation college student, I had no experience interning anywhere, and had no personal connection to anyone who had. The more that I looked into the fellowship, the more daunting the prospect of applying became. Nonetheless, the opportunity ignited an excitement deep inside of me, and I resolved to take my chances and apply in hopes of taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity.
During my internship, I set out to gain practical experience in human rights law and to contribute meaningfully to the firm's initiatives. I successfully met these goals by actively participating in research projects, drafting legal documents, and assisting with case preparations. Additionally, I had the opportunity to attend real-world proceedings with some of our clients as we built their case for them.
The close-knit team at Perseus Strategies also offered me the chance to expand my knowledge on human rights issues and various international legal systems, as well as familiarize myself with instances of human rights abuses abroad that I would likely not have encountered otherwise. In addition to the practical workplace skills that I was able to hone during this opportunity, I was also able to better educate myself on global issues that were sure to arise in my future career as an advocate for human rights. The benefit of my internship, then, was two-fold. Not only was I able to gain the practical experience and skills associated with professional work, but I was also able to commit myself to learning more about the world around me in a manner that simply would not have been possible otherwise.
