Intern Testimonials

Carolina Gonzalez | Madrid, Spain, Spring 2015

My internship with the U.S. Commercial service in Madrid, Spain provided me with various opportunities to learn both inside and out side the office. Inside the office my schedule was usually 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. The office usually had a very calm atmosphere, which made it the perfect environment to become comfortable enough to ask questions to anybody. While each intern is specifically assigned to one trade specialists, there are various projects and events which require everyone’s collaboration. The collaboration opened the door to working with more than one trade specialist. While every trade specialist works in the business of bringing American companies to Spain, each of them works with a different sector, therefore, the opportunity to work with different specialists allows the intern understand how different sectors work and the different requirements in introducing American companies to the rest of world.

Ellie Freeman | Washington, D.C., Spring 2015

As an intern in human rights with Vital Voices NGO, I enjoyed leading and organizing meetings between our Russian visitors and U.S. federal agencies, as well as conducting research on gender based violence throughout the world. I assisted the team in reviewing applications for an upcoming youth program for growing women leaders, and I organized, translated and analyzed feedback in Spanish and English from international justice institutes hosted by Vital Voices in various countries abroad. 

Joe Rodriguez IV | Washington, D.C., Spring 2015

One of my most rewarding experiences during the program was getting to live and learn with people who I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to get to know. It was interesting getting to hear and listen to their opinions as well have constructive discussions about a myriad of topics. One experience that sticks out to me was having the opportunity to go to Baltimore at the height of the Baltimore riots and talking with everyday Baltimore citizens about what they thought about what was happening in their city. That was an eye opening experience, and definitely one that made me think about different topics in a new light.

Jose Alejandro Montemayor | Washington, D.C., Spring 2015

I’ve always been interested in the deep economic and political ties between the United States and Mexico, therefore I chose to intern at the Embassy of Mexico in the United States. I wanted to understand and experience in firsthand the complex relationship between both countries. Since the first day, my supervisors made me feel part of the team, that same day I was introduced to the Ambassador Eduardo Medina- Mora who played a crucial role as the Attorney General of Mexico during the Mexican War on Drugs. During my internship, I developed various activities related to political, economic and US-Mexico bilateral affairs. Some of my tasks included the drafting of reports regarding the political and economic implications of the US-Mexico bilateral relation; the evaluation and analysis of legislative hearings and conference calls focused on immigration, justice and education as well as the executive actions on immigration implemented by President Barack Obama on 2014.

Kelsie Suter | Washington, D.C., Spring 2015

If you had asked me my freshman year at A&M if I saw myself in Washington, D.C. after I graduated, I would have laughed at you. I would’ve balked at the idea and asked you if you were joking. I do not regret a single moment I have spent here. I’ve tried new foods, met new people, and tried to take advantage of everything that Washington, D.C. has had to offer. It has truly been an adventure of a lifetime, and I find it really hard to believe that it is over.

I started getting mail about my stories that ran on the print newspapers across the nation. I was congratulated by old friends, and their parents. It was amazing to me to see how people actually noticed my work.

Cesar Escalante | Washington, D.C., Summer 2014

I had never worked a 40 hour week in my life. I didn’t know all that much about politics. I wasn’t confident in my own abilities as a reporter. I truly felt like I was completely behind the learning curve, but that would ignite me to try. I started out writing blog posts for the Houston Chronicle. My internship was with Hearst Newspapers at their Washington Bureau. Through this internship I was able to write stories for Connecticut, San Francisco, Beaumont, Laredo, San Antonio, and my hometown of Houston. Little successes were seen throughout my internship. I saw my work go on the Houston Chronicle blog, and even saw my articles receive a little traffic. I started getting mail about my stories that ran on the print newspapers across the nation. I was congratulated by old friends, and their parents. It was amazing to me to see how people actually noticed my work.

Washington, D.C. offered me the chance to do something different with my life. It opened my eyes to the opportunities that are all around me and that I am capable of anything. If I set my mind to a goal, I know I can achieve it. I have a support system. I have the drive. I have the will to learn and overcome all the obstacles. My greatest enemy is myself; I just have to stay motivated.  This internship is everything I could have asked for and more. I missed home a lot, but I’m glad I did this. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything. If I could go back and do it again, I know I would. I complained at times about being away from home, and I was even frustrated at my job several days. But the good moments outweighed the bad moments any day. 

I was able to see, first hand, the impact Peace Corps is able to have on communities.

Katherine Gourley | Washington, D.C., Spring 2014

During my time with the Peace Corps, I worked primarily on facilitating the funding of small grant proposals to projects throughout the globe. I was able to see, first hand, the impact Peace Corps is able to have on communities. This internship experience has afforded me the opportunity to see what it's like to work in the public sector. While sometimes frustrating, it has been amazing to see how policy affects everything that we do. The interactions between appointed and hired employees is a new office dynamic I have never experienced, and has been interesting to say the least. Working in the public sector has also allowed me to participate in a myriad of activities someone in the private sector would not necessarily be afforded. I was able to visit the White House for the French President's State Arrival Ceremony. I met the Costa Rican Ambassador, and I was able to take part in work place discussions involving women's empowerment and race issues. It has truly been a pleasure to personally experience the inner-workings of my government, and I have been inspired to continue a life of service in my future.
 

It felt great having the power to help those in need.

Meenakshi "Meena" Manivannan | Austin, TX, Spring 2013

I started out dealing with constituents, which, to at the very least, was interesting. This job required active listening, patience, and the ability to think quick on your feet. Some of these constituents needed help and their Senators and Representatives were some of their last resorts and it was up to me to direct them to the agency who could help them. It felt great having the power to help those in need. Soon, I was analyzing bills in various committees- Health and Human Services, Business and Commerce, Economic Development, Education, Intergovernmental Relations etc. Although I had started out primarily working on Health and Human Services bills, I soon branched out into wherever the office needed me. Despite the late hours, I loved being busy.
 

[S]ometimes it made me nervous to be the point person on projects and to report directly to our president/vice president on some assignments, but I can’t think of any other internship where you could be in that position

Davis Manoushagian | Washington, D.C., Spring 2014

National Farmers Union is an excellent place for an internship. You start quickly doing various assigned tasks, and it does not take them long before you take on a great bit of responsibility. The office is set up nicely, and working with the different departments gives you a good feel for what you might/might not want to do in the future. I will have to admit, sometimes it made me nervous to be the point person on projects and to report directly to our president/vice president on some assignments, but I can’t think of any other internship where you could be in that position.
 

I feel much more confident with entering the professional world than I did three months ago

Daniela Silva | Austin, TX, Spring 2013

It is crucial to establish relationships that have potential to open doors in the future. With the combined knowledge I have gained from researching bills, engaging in meaningful conversations with politicians, lobbyists, and constituents, and just paying attention to my surroundings, I feel much more confident with entering the professional world than I did three months ago
 

I will never forget the time I spent in the West Wing, getting to hang out and play basketball on the same court the First Family plays on, and just getting to know extraordinary people that are truly shaping what is happening in our country.

Shelbi Sturgess | Washington, D.C., Spring 2014

The workload was very varied in the Office of the Vice President, depending on what he was doing that week, so I had to quickly learn how to balance long and short term priorities and how to effectively utilize time.  However, for all it's challenges, the rewarding experiences far outnumbered them and I have some incredible memories of my experience. I will never forget the time I spent in the West Wing, getting to hang out and play basketball on the same court the First Family plays on, and just getting to know extraordinary people that are truly shaping what is happening in our country. I learned an incredible amount about the functioning of government on every level and, perhaps most importantly, I learned what I would most like to do in my immediate future and the kind of office I want to be a part of.
 

I was nervous before I traveled to DC, mainly because this was my first internship and that I had never been in DC before this trip. After my summer has ended, I'm extremely grateful that I took this leap, because I've grown in so many ways, and learned so much.

Onjheney Warren | Washington, D.C., Summer 2014

My overall internship experience was excellent, and one of the best experiences I've ever had the privilege to be afforded. I was able to learn and grow in my internship office, and learn from an environment that gave me the chance to apply the skills I've learned in my classes and in training.  Living in DC was also an incredible experience, because it threw me out of my comfort zone, and gave me the chance to explore a city that I've never visited before. DC has so many different cultures and neighborhoods, and every metro stop is almost like going to a different city. It was very different from Texas, but getting that chance to live in a new environment was an amazing opportunity. From the various museums to beautiful monuments, DC soon become one of my favorite cities, and I hope to one day come back to visit, or live, again.  I was nervous before I traveled to DC, mainly because this was my first internship and that I had never been in DC before this trip. After my summer has ended, I'm extremely grateful that I took this leap, because I've grown in so many ways, and learned so much. APHSA was a wonderful office to intern at, not only for the wonderful and friendly people, but the fact that they allowed me to work on so many different projects, and truly immerse myself in the policy world.