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For students, faculty, and staff at SIS, the summer months offer a prime opportunity to gain internship and career experience, travel abroad, and complete research. As a new semester begins at SIS, we asked a few members of our SIS community to share details about how they spent the summer months away from campus.

• Alfee Rubayet, SIS/MA ’26
• Anastasiya Kolosovsky, SIS/BA ’26
• Christopher Unruh, SIS/MA '25
• Elaf Alkazzaz, SIS/MA '26
• Garret Martin & Christine Gettings, SIS Faculty and Staff
• Kare Coley, SIS/BA ’28
• Kevin Moore, SIS/MA ’26
• Stephanie Fischer, SIS Faculty
• Sumitra Badrinathan, SIS Faculty

Alfee Rubayet SIS/MA ’26

This summer, I was in Copenhagen as a Humanity in Action Fellow, participating in an intensive three-week academy focused on climate change and human rights. The program brought together leading experts, activists, and NGOs, offering a curriculum that examined climate change through various lenses like international law, human rights, climate science, economics, and post-colonialism. Each day was a whirlwind of lectures, workshops, and field trips, enriched by the diverse perspectives of 20 other fellows, who ranged from artists to climate scientists.

We got our hands dirty—visiting a regenerative farm, climbing a wind turbine, and exploring Youth Island—but a standout moment was attending a panel at the Political Ecology Network Conference (POLLEN24) at Lund University, where I heard from SIS’s own Professor Jesse Ribot! As I begin my MA in International Development, the fellowship has equipped me with an invaluable toolkit for understanding how interconnected crises require all-hands-on-deck from each discipline. It was also a point of pride to witness SIS faculty leading these global discussions.

After the summer, Humanity in Action Fellows take this knowledge back to their communities with an action plan. I’m currently planning an art exhibition titled 'queer mubarak!'—a celebration of queerness from the Balkans to Bengal. While my area of focus includes social exclusion, my lifelong passion for art—showcased in exhibitions across the UK and Bangladesh—drives me to create spaces that address the communities and identities closest to my heart. This project bridges my personal and professional commitments, and I’m excited to bring it to action.

Anastasiya Kolosovsky SIS/BA ’26

I spent six weeks of my summer studying abroad with the Global Scholars Program. For the first three weeks, I was in Belgium, the capital of the European Union, where I took an intensive course on the European Union's policy responses to different crises. In the course, I examined crises such as the war on Ukraine, COVID-19, Brexit, and the Euro crisis, and for my final paper, I analyzed the varying responses across EU member states to the current war on Gaza. The final three weeks of my program were in Spain, where I took an intensive course on Spanish history and contemporary Spain. I got to learn about the effect of Spanish history on Spain today, as well as hear the perspective of a southern European country on some of the crises that I learned about while in Belgium. In addition to the interesting classes, the program also took me to different cities where I learned more about the culture and history of each country: Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent, Brugge, and Waterloo in Belgium, and Madrid, Cordoba, Seville, and Toledo in Spain. I learned how to make Belgian waffles, watched flamenco, and rowed a boat in El Retiro Park in Madrid.

My primary thematic area in SIS is Peace, Global Security, and Conflict Resolution, and together these courses allowed me to compare the different solutions to conflict that exist both on a national and supranational level. In Belgium and Spain, I was able to build on what I learned in my previous classes in SIS, such as one that I took on global migration, and I look forward to using my knowledge about Europe and its policy responses as a point of comparison in the future classes I take for my regional focus on the Middle East and North Africa.

Christopher UnruhSIS/MA '25

During this summer, I interned at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in their Intergovernmental and Community Relations Branch in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. Additionally, I also conducted this internship as a Harold W. Rosenthal Fellow in International Relations with the DC-based organization Partnership for Public Service.

I was first exposed to professional opportunities at the EPA through an SIS Career Site Visit before the start of my first semester at º£½Ç»»ÆÞ. During this visit, I learned specifically about the international engagement that the agency conducts in programmatic and policy development. With this in mind, I sought out an internship within a branch of the agency that would allow me to better understand the regulatory role of this agency in protecting human health and the environment both domestically and around the world, and I found that opportunity within the Intergovernmental and Community Relations branch.

As an intern in this branch, I assisted with the development of strategic program and policy outreach on chemical and pesticide safety, and related environmental justice concerns, between the EPA and regional offices, states, other federal agencies, tribal governments, foreign governments, and international/multilateral organizations. This experience gave me critical insight into the regulatory functions of the EPA at-large, as well as the role it specifically plays in advancing key environmental outcomes within global forums such as the UN, OECD, and WTO. Additionally, I also had the great opportunity to serve as a temporary liaison on environmental justice for the branch coordinating on policy and programming with other branches in the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, as well as the Office of Environmental Justice and Civil Rights and other relevant EPA offices.

Ultimately, this internship gave me the invaluable experience of better understanding the role that both the EPA and the federal government as a whole serve in advancing critical protections for both humans and the environment around the world. The knowledge I gained in this role will continue to be instrumental as I complete my second year within the Natural Resources and Sustainable Development Master’s program.

Elaf AlkazzazSIS/MA '26

I spent the summer as a program assistant intern at the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area. I was part of the curriculum building for Global Classrooms DC (GCDC) and the advocacy team. I was also a fellow for the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR).

In my role as a Program Assistant for Global Classrooms DC (GCDC), I supported initiatives connecting the local community with the United Nations by creating a curriculum on climate change and technology and managing event logistics and communications. This experience enhanced my skills in international relations and program management. My fellowship with the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) deepened my understanding of US-Arab relations through participation in seminars, policy discussions, and research on Middle Eastern affairs. These experiences provided valuable insights into diplomacy and the complexities of US-Arab interactions.

I am an incoming student, and through this internship and fellowship, I met incredible alumni who motivated me to apply to SIS and continue my educational endeavors in the DC area. This internship and fellowship opportunity has facilitated my professional growth and allowed me to discover a valuable network of mentors!

As a Program Assistant for the Global Classrooms DC (GCDC), one of my notable achievements was creating a comprehensive curriculum on climate change and technology for future leaders. My duties also included coordinating logistics, conducting research, managing communications, and engaging with various stakeholders. This experience provided me with practical skills in international relations, program management, and community outreach, aligning with the UN's goals and values. Additionally, I plan to further her contributions this fall by publishing articles on global issues.

My fellowship with the National Council on US-Arab Relations (NCUSAR) was focused on enhancing the understanding of US-Arab relations. I participated in seminars, policy discussions, and networking events addressing key issues between the US and Arab nations. Through research, policy brief contributions, and engagements with experts, I gained a deeper understanding of Middle Eastern affairs and diplomacy. This experience provided valuable insights into the complexities of US-Arab interactions.

Garret Martin and Christine Gettings SIS Faculty and Staff

In May, Garret Martin and Christine Gettings had the distinct pleasure of leading a group of 12 graduate students to Brussels as part of a summer seminar on NATO and the future of European security. While the weather hardly cooperated, this was a wonderful and enriching experience for all, whether professionally or culturally. The trip allowed the group significant access to policymakers and experts, be it from institutions of the European Union, NATO, and leading think tanks. It gave them a greater understanding of how European counterparts approach the many security challenges facing the continent, whether Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China, or climate change to name a few. But it also enabled them to take a deeper dive into Belgian culture and history including a moving day visiting the World War II battlefield of Bastogne. Overall, this summer seminar encapsulates what makes SIS a great school: faculty and staff (namely the Office of International Programs and the Transatlantic Policy Center) worked closely and fruitfully to offer a meaningful experiential learning experience to our students, also taking advantage of the local experiences of our colleagues from the º£½Ç»»ÆÞ Brussels Center.

Kare ColeySIS/BA ’28

This year I spent my summer interning with Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA), a nonprofit organization established 35 years ago. BPIA's mission is to enhance the participation of African Americans and individuals from the African diaspora in the field of international affairs and diplomacy. As an intern, I held two lead positions on the Education and Exchange Committee and the Communications Teams. During this fully remote internship, I had the opportunity to work with a diverse team of professionals from across the United States and around the globe. My primary focus was on helping to organize a high-profile National BPIA Week. For me, this involved managing our social media platforms and strategically planning ways to increase engagement and awareness of our various events. I also helped plan our Career Fair, which will happen in early September. This event is geared to early career professionals and current college students. This internship has provided me with valuable mentors, connections, and role models, further solidifying my commitment and passion to pursuing a career in international affairs. Super honored to announce that I will be extending my internship for the fall semester! I take so much pride in knowing this organization is actively creating opportunities and spaces for Black and African American individuals like myself to build and advance careers in international fields across various industries and sectors.

While I am only a freshman and just dipping my toes into the SIS world at American, my affiliation with this community has already given me visibility and a platform in various rooms, meetings, and discussions!

Kevin Moore SIS/MA ’26

I started this summer off strong with a one-week orientation for the 2024 USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship Program learning more about the program, the honorable man it was named after, and the functions of USAID and expectations of an incoming Foreign Service Officer.

As a part of fulfilling my first USAID Payne Fellowship requirement, I spent the summer participating in a Congressional Internship on Capitol Hill with the Office of Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL-14) in Washington, DC. I served as a legislative intern, where I completed various intern responsibilities and provided in-depth reports for legislative staffers from hearings and briefings on topics such as labor rights and protections, online privacy and safety policy for youth and its considerations of LGBTQ+ rights, federal gun prevention rulings, and the Chinese Communist Party's influence on the Global South through foreign aid.

As a legislative intern, I also had the opportunity to participate in various activities such as touring the White House, visiting the Senate Gallery as the Congresswoman's guest, and celebrating the Fourth of July from the Capitol steps.

As the summer internship was coming to an end, my last task as a legislative intern was to present my capstone project for the legislative team. The capstone project entailed researching and proposing a bill that has been introduced to the US House of Representatives that the interns believe the Congresswoman should co-sponsor. As a USAID Payne Fellow, I selected a bill that I’m greatly interested in as it relates to my career as an incoming USAID Foreign Service Officer. I strongly believe it will be greatly beneficial to the constituents of the district as well. A week after completing my summer internship, I was notified by a legislative staffer that the Congresswoman has agreed to co-sponsor my bill proposal, which is an achievement I take such great pride in.

I’m eternally grateful for all the experiences and knowledge I acquired as a legislative intern – developing a stronger understanding of the inner workings of the Legislative Branch that has prompted me to reflect on my own political engagement, as well as better inform me on how the Legislative Branch may affect the work I will be doing within the Executive Branch. I am ecstatic to apply what I’ve learned from this summer internship to my studies as an Intercultural and International Communications graduate student, and I’m eager to discover how SIS will prepare me for my USAID Mission internship in Summer 2025.

Stephanie Fischer SIS Faculty

This summer, I had the extraordinary opportunity to take students to the Philippines to develop monitoring, evaluation, and accreditation tools for the Philippines Department of Health's Child and Women Protection Units. There are 130 self-sustaining hospital-based units in 62 provinces and 10 cities of the Philippines, and we visited eight centers in three cities. I was inspired by the valuable work of our in-country partners, the significant contributions of our students, and the level of growth and learning they had.

Sumitra Badrinathan SIS Faculty

This summer, my coauthors and I launched the Bihar Information and Media Literacy Initiative, the world’s largest media literacy randomized controlled trial to combat misinformation. The study enrolled over 14,000 school children in rural areas of Bihar, India, and collaborated with a branch of the state government to provide a semester-long training with educational tools to fight misinformation. This study will help us understand the efficacy of media literacy as a tool to combat misinformation and assess if there are spillover effects to families of students who undergo training. . (Photo Credit: Simon Chauchard)