Favoured-Joy Oghenekome

SUNY Oswego

Major: Global Studies Major, Peace and Conflict Minor, International Business Minor

New York Legal Assistance Group

I interned with NYLAG's Immigrant Protection Unit. I worked specifically on Permanent Residency Adjustment of Status cases, and I also attended to support Naturalization clinics. The clients I was assigned had the initial status of Asylum and U-visas “set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.” As NYLAG provides quality legal aid to New Yorkers who otherwise could not afford it, I found every moment at this organization meaningful. The NYLAG experience is unique because, as an intern, you learn so much about US immigration law and work closely with lawyers and paralegals, not just as support but directly managing cases and client relations. NYLAG provides a thorough professional experience.

The GEP Program was a phenomenal opportunity. Through the seminar, I was exposed to the intricacies of the international system, and the colloquium gave me the chance to dive deep into a topic I care about: immigration. The GEP program's extracurricular activities were some of the most influential opportunities. We listened to many young professionals who helped us realize our potential and the reality of transitioning into the workforce. We also got to learn from, question, and network with experts in various fields. Through the GEP, I gained the confidence I needed to begin my professional career.

Eelaaf Najam

SUNY New Paltz

Major: Political Science

International Rescue Committee Field Office NYC (IRC)

I worked for the Economic Betterment Department within the International Rescue Committee (IRC).  My key responsibilities were to set up and execute meetings with new immigrants, build resumes, and find them suitable jobs. I developed tangible skills in navigating complex paperwork required by a federally supported NGO. I learned about the Refugee Social Services Program, as well as many other human resources and audit-related record-keeping in NGOs, all the while directly working with the refugee clients whose lives I was able to impact directly. This experience equipped me with strong interpersonal and administrative skills, enabling me to navigate the complexities of refugee support programs effectively.

The weekly discussions held in the classroom were immensely beneficial and captivating. The presentations by fellow students sharing their internship experiences, along with numerous workshops featuring worker in the field from diverse organizations, provided invaluable insights. A highlight was the personal visit from the U.S. ambassador to the UN, which added a unique and exceptional dimension to our learning. The Global Engagement Program (GEP) emerged as the most advantageous initiative for career building, offering an unparalleled learning experience for any aspiring student.

Mateo Mortellaro

SUNY New Paltz

Major: International Relations, minor in Asian Studies

Religion For Peace

I am a graduating Senior at SUNY New Paltz studying International Relations with Asian Studies. This past semester, I had the privilege of being a part of the Global Engagement program, where I interned as a Programmes Intern at Religions for Peace (RfP). Religions for Peace is an interfaith humanitarian organization operating in 90 countries with a mission at the United Nations. Operating for 50 years, Religions for Peace facilitates countless activities related to interfaith dialogue, humanitarian aid, and the accomplishment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals toward a more equitable and peaceful world. I assisted with events in NYC and online, as well as compile research related with ongoing programs such as panels, presentations, and grant applications.

The GEP seminars gave me a comprehensive understanding of the international system and where I might fit into it with a future career path. Classes were engaging and assignments were extremely helpful in refining my writing and reading comprehension skills. Various alumni workshops also provided valuable insights into educational and career opportunities with topics including applying to law and graduate school, fellowships, and the Peace Corps. The GEP not only clarified my career path, but also inspired me greatly by surrounding me with experts, practitioners, and scholars in my fields of interest. I wrote my final research paper on Indigenous ecological knowledge and even had the opportunity to speak about my research at the United Nations. 

Hunter Madison

SUNY New Paltz

Major: Political Science

International Rescue Committee Field Office NYC (IRC)

I was placed in the IRC field office as part of the Economic Empowerment team, which focuses on all aspects of economic factors and personal finances to help arriving refugees, asylum seekers, and parolees achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency to start their new lives in the U.S. As an intern my responsibilities have been joining my supervisor in client intake meetings to get them enrolled in our programs and collect background information about their lives before coming to the U.S. so we can assist them in the best way possible. Using that information, I then assist them in finding their career and life goals, building a resume, and finding a job that will meet their needs. I help them fill out paperwork, schedule meetings with our teams for services, and refer them and collaborate with other departments in the office to make sure their needs are met and they are assisted fully in these difficult times. As a nonprofit, documentation is important, and my role also includes maintaining and updating client information in the various systems we use to keep everyone in the loop at all times. The IRC is an important INGO with offices in over forty countries. The placement at their NY office has been a huge learning experience and very fulfilling, especially getting to work directly with clients. The internship allowed me to hone my professional skills by participating in team meetings, attending workshops, leading intake sessions, and more.

Besides the time with IRC, the alumni networking and speaking events during our weekly lectures taught me about new career opportunities, such as foreign service, which I had never considered. I also was able to connect through Dr. Ozler with almuni who are currently working at IRC headquarters and got to visit and tour the facilities because of these connections. GEP was one of the best experiences from my time at New Paltz.

Martin Renato Gonzales Podesta

SUNY New Paltz

Major: Political Science and International Relations, minors in Spanish and Latin American Studies

Foreign Policy Association

I was an Intern for the Foreign Policy Association. I had a good experience at the FPA, where there was a supportive work environment that cultivated DEI principles. I worked to support different programs at the FPA. I helped with outreach by managing the organization's social media and creating content. Another essential task is managing communications with members through the organization's email by responding to people's inquiries regarding events or programs. Working at the Foreign Policy Association (FPA) gave me a clear insight into how NGOs interact in the international environment. I helped organize and participate in events that bring together experts on global issues. This experience solidified my interest in international politics. During my internship at the FPA, I realized NGOs' potential to change international policies. Undoubtedly, the experience I gained at the FPA will help me positively in my future jobs.

The fact that I have been able to organize and participate in events that bring together world experts on global issues has increased my interest in international politics. I also want to highlight the pleasant moments I had when participating in the GEP program since it was the perfect complement to obtain the complete experience of working in the international context. That is because, apart from the days when I worked in the organization, the GEP provided workshops, which were very beneficial to understanding these organizations' impact on international politics and the contribution each of us makes in the international environment. The research project was very helpful, too, since it allowed us to synthesize the experience and information we gathered during our internship in the form of an academic paper that may help the organizations where we were having our internships. Undoubtedly, the experience I gained at the FPA and the GEP program will help me positively in my future jobs.

Kanae Hirao

SUNY New Paltz

Major: International Relations

Foreign Policy Association

I'm a SUNY New Paltz senior pursuing an international relations major. I'm an intern at the Foreign Policy Association. Working as an assistant within the Executive Office Team, I helped organize events and conducted research on speakers and topics. My role at the FPA exposed me to a broad spectrum of speakers, spanning business, finance, and diplomatic expertise. I supported the education outreach of FPA by engaging educational administrators from different states in the US about FPA’s publications that bring foreign policy into the curriculums throughout the US. I further supported FPA's high school educational program by creating newsletters and publishing lesson plans to promote its outreach efforts.  I also had responsibilities to manage social media to promote events and to get the American public more interested in global affairs and foreign policy. This experience at a non-partisan NGO highlighted the FPA's commitment to fostering knowledge across generations. It profoundly highlights the pivotal role of education in shaping perspectives within the realms of International Relations and Political Science.

Besides an internship, GEP's weekly discussion, research project, and alumni workshops also helped me explore and understand international affairs beyond classical college classrooms. These various GEP programs brought me the opportunities to connect not only with academics but also with professional fields through networking events in NYC. I had nine other classmates with different interests in the field of international relations during the GEP semester, and I learned insightful perspectives and opinions through in-class discussions and presentations. Although it took more effort to get through my comfort zone than in a regular college class, this learning opportunity was indispensable for my growth. 

Nathan Arel Kamadheu Kuepo

SUNY New Paltz

Major: International Relations, minor in French

UN Department of Global Communications Visitors Centre

I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz. My Global Engagement Program (GEP) experience, including my impactful internship at the United Nations Department of Global Communications, has been immensely transformative for my personal and professional development. I was assigned a range of responsibilities that provided me with a firsthand experience of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and its multifaceted operations. One of my primary tasks at the office involved efficiently sorting and managing letters, ensuring that they reached the appropriate channels promptly. Additionally, I had the privilege of assisting during the UNGA sessions, where I was responsible for escorting journalists and media personnel, helping them navigate the bustling environment and ensuring their access to key events and briefings. Furthermore, I worked closely with the Pass & ID office, assisting the media personnel in obtaining their required security badges by verifying and assessing their confirmation numbers and credentials or redirecting them if need be. Through these responsibilities, I gained invaluable insights into the inner workings of a major international event, honed my organizational skills, and had the privilege of contributing to the successful execution of the UNGA. As an intern at the public facing office of the UN, I was able to make great connections to the rest of the UN offices, learn about the UN’s functions as well as understand the importance of this global organization. From alumni workshops to the research project, The GEP program has broadened my understanding of international relations beyond the classroom. Engaging with alumni provided real-world insights into navigating global careers, while the research project sharpened my analytical skills, allowing me to explore in-depth issues relevant to my field of study. In-class presentations and discussions have been particularly enriching, as diverse viewpoints on pressing international issues were not just encouraged but were integral to my ability to articulate complex ideas and engage critically with global challenges.

Maya Moulldi

CUNY Hunter College

Major: Political Science, Minors: Economics and International Relations

United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism

As an intern at the UN Office of Counterterrorism, I have assisted the Prevention and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) team in the development and implementation of PCVE programs and initiatives in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, including supporting capacity-building activities, workshops, and training sessions for stakeholders at the national and regional levels. I have acquired valuable skills in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of programs, collecting and analyzing data, as well as preparing progress reports for internal and external stakeholders. Finally, I was able to learn more about and conduct research on trends and factors contributing to violent extremism, such as climate change, Artificial Intelligence, and Video Games. At UNOCT, every day is different: every day has provided me with a learning opportunity and further pushed me out of my comfort zone. Not only have I developed new skills thanks to my teams’ mentorship, but I have also discovered a certain resilience in me that I wasn’t fully aware of. This wouldn’t have been possible without GEP.

The Global Engagement Program in itself has truly changed my career orientation and shaped much of my immediate post-graduation goals. Thanks to workshops on careers in the private sector, discussions with alumni on MBA programs, and, of course, Professor Ozler’s ongoing mentorship, GEP has allowed me to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. It made me reconsider what I thought were some of my core beliefs and gave me a new perspective on what I truly wanted to experience, not only in my career but in my life in general.

Kristen Leopold

SUNY Oswego

Major: Global Studies, Peace and Conflict minor

Off The Record

I am a junior studying international relations with a minor in peace and conflict studies at SUNY Oswego. This semester, I interned for Off the Record, a women's branch of the Foreign Policy Association. During this internship, my tasks included creating social media posts and newsletters, managing registration, zoom broadcasts, and taking pictures at speaker events. In addition, I was responsible for taking notes at board meetings and creating a concept paper for the development and strategic planning committee. Throughout this internship, I learned the management aspect of running an organization and strengthened my interpersonal skills as well as networking skills. Off the Record has an important mission to create a forum of discussion involving foreign policy issues in an enclosed environment that is safe and respected. Our lecture series consists of intelligent and experienced speakers, including Ambassadors, Professors and CEO's. The people at my office were very welcoming and easy to work with, always willing to answer questions when needed. Overall, my experience at OTR was an amazing experience and has allowed me to learn how to work in the field of international relations.

The Global Engagement Program (GEP) allowed me to experience the field of international relations firsthand. Each week, we read about how non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations play a role in global civil society and apply them to our own experiences interning at these organizations. Being a part of the GEP allowed me to narrow down what I am genuinely passionate about and gave me more confidence in my future in international relations. This program changed my approach when thinking about the world and taught me to be resilient and dedicated while doing the work I care about.

Xunaxi Donaji Cruz Antonio

Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey 

Major: International Relations 

Internship Placement: The Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations 

I am studying International Relations in Tecnológico de Monterrey (México), and I am making the Global Engagement Program as my study abroad. I am an intern at the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations in the Economic, Social, Human Rights, and Humanitarian Section, which covers the Second and Third Committee of the General Assembly and ECOSOC. My main tasks are to observe and report about the meetings by attending the General Assembly; as well as the negotiations of resolutions, focusing on migration and sustainable development.  Later, I was moved to the office of the Permanent Representative, to help with the agenda and the different events for the Presidency of Mexico of the Security Council in November 2021. These experiences helped me to learn about the functioning of the Mission, the logistics, and the thematic work.   

Emily Cox

Major: International Relations and Sociology 

Internship Placement: The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) at the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) 

I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz pursuing a double major in International Relations and Sociology. This past semester, I have been a part of the CERF team at the UN OCHA, where some of my responsibilities have included reading and evaluating humanitarian aid requests, processing project reports, and writing summaries of aid project outcomes for publication. This internship placement has allowed me to learn a great deal about the international perspective regarding humanitarian aid provision, as well as the processes and strategies for determining the allocation of aid funding. This experience has prompted my interest in further studying modalities of international aid provision, and I believe that my experience with CERF has allowed me to develop a well-rounded foundation for future pursuits.   

Monisse Cueva

SUNY Potsdam 

Major: International Studies and Music 

Internship Placement: The Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations 

I am a graduating senior at SUNY Potsdam and am double majoring in international studies and music. I am interning at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the UN and working directly with the Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Martiza Chan Valverde. My tasks have included drafting talking points, assisting in speech writing, and translations. The Ambassador deals largely with the women, peace and security agenda so most of my work has been based around this issue. Throughout my time here, I have learned so much about feminist international relations theory and feminist perspectives on peace and security, which has peaked my interest for future research. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with the Ambassador and to experience what a career in this field would be like. 

Brooklyn Darling

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: 

Internship Placement: The Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the United Nations 

I’m a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in international relations, with minors in political science and anthropology. I’m the Climate Justice Intern at Unitarian Universalist Association’s office at the United Nations for the academic year. My responsibilities at UU@UN include writing about international affairs through blog posts, attending meetings, planning events, and working as the Climate Justice and Displacement Specialist for our intergenerational spring seminar. At this internship I have been able to focus on the intersection of many social and human rights issues such as gender and racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and climate justice. This internship has taught me how to advocate for better policy and action to be taken on an international level within the United Nations, as well as how to educate people on these important causes. 

Kelsey Drewniak

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations and Latin American & Caribbean Studies 

Internship Placement: New York Legal Assistance Group 

I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in International Relations with minors in Spanish and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. My internship this semester was with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) as their Immigrant Protection Unit Intern. During this internship I worked on a wide range of cases. Some of my responsibilities were drafting guardianship petitions, drafting affidavits, filling out applications, researching country conditions, contacting clients, meeting with clients, translating documents, and anything else that the attorneys and paralegals needed. This internship was very informative and taught me so much about immigration law and forced me to better my communication and organizational skills. I loved working for NYLAG because the work that is done here matters. All of the clients are low income New Yorkers in need of legal assistance. The people I worked with were very friendly and were always willing to answer my questions and teach me. I had a very positive experience at NYLAG and have truly valued my time with them and I am grateful for all that I have learned from them. 

Angeline Gomez

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations and Latin American & Caribbean Studies 

Internship Placement: PEN America 

This fall, I interned with PEN America with their Literary Programs team, working as the Literary Programs Intern. I specifically focused on the pre-production of the World Voices Festival, happening in May 2022. PEN America is a non-profit organization that stands at the junction of literature and human rights. Throughout my time at PEN, I have been able to volunteer for many of their first in-person events after COVID, like the Brooklyn Book Festival and the Literary Gala, as well as work and attend other events like the PEN Out Loud with Pamela Paul and Lauren Oyler, In Conversation with Debbie Millman and Ai Weiwei in partnership with Brooklyn Academy of Music and Greenlight Bookstore, and their Annual General Meeting this past month on writers and self-censorship. My internship was through the New York City Office (PEN Headquarters) but operated virtually. As a result, I've learned a lot about the non-profit world, specifically with event planning. 

Naoki Matsushima

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations 

Internship Placement: Foreign Policy Association 

I am an intern at the Foreign Policy Association. I had valuable experiences at a non-partisan organization that was founded in 1918 and serves to develop awareness, understanding, and informed opinions on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. FPA’s goals are to inform, engage, and inspire citizens to participate in foreign policy. I work within the executive office to help organize events, conduct research for development, and manage and update social media accounts with current foreign policy news. I had opportunities to ask questions to world-renowned speakers in intimate settings. This internship allowed me to have a deep understanding of the current foreign affairs that are linked to the theoretical concepts that I learned from the Global Engagement Program. 

Latanna Mills

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations 

Internship Placement: International Disability Alliance 

I am the human rights advocacy intern at International Disability Alliance. IDA is a coalition of 14 global networks that partners with the United Nations to advance the rights of persons with disabilities and build an inclusive global environment to leave no one behind. I am highly appreciative to have gotten the opportunity to work alongside IDA’s team and to learn about the inner intricacies of CSO, human rights, advocacy, diplomacy, and the third committee. I discovered my hidden talents and passion for investigative research during COP26 when I assisted with advocacy work remotely for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in climate change. Overall, my experience at IDA has been tremendous. My supervisor and the team are excellent. I can fairly say this opportunity has inspired me to go into the field to learn more about human rights and contribute to building an inclusive society for everyone. 

Juan Pablo Molina

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations and Latin American & Caribbean Studies 

Internship Placement: Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans (CIANA) 

I am a SUNY New Palz studying International Relations and Latin American And Caribbean studies. In my time at the Global Engagement Program, I have worked with the Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans, or CIANA for short. CIANA is a small Community-Based Organization (CBO) established in queens which helps immigrants from all around the globe. I work with their Immigration Attorney helping process cases, translate consultations and documents, and mail out immigration-related applications. We have many clients with many different needs. CIANA tries to aid its clients in a holistic approach by addressing their immigration needs and providing classes to learn English, an after-school program for the client's children, and civics classes for those looking to become citizens. My time at CIANA has allowed me to see the crucial role that CBOs play in helping integrate immigrant communities into the US. 

Sydney Rankin

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations and French 

Internship Placement: The UN Department of Global Communications 

I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz pursuing a double major in International Relations and French. I have the amazing opportunity to intern at the United Nations Department of Global Communications. As an IR major, I am eager to delve into the arena of international affairs and experience first-hand what that looks like in the workplace. Therefore, there was no doubt in my mind that this internship was the perfect choice for me since the UN is the focal point for global cooperation on world issues. The Department of Global Communications is located at UN headquarters in NYC, and I am currently participating in a hybrid format. I enjoy working with my new colleagues as well as learning new skills such as social media management and website editing. Other primary assignments of mine include assisting the General Assembly mandated Reham Al-Farra Memorial Journalism Programme. This internship overall has given me valuable working experience that I will carry with me in the future. 

Emma Ryan

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations and Digital Media Production 

Internship Placement: The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism 

I am a graduating senior majoring in International Relations and Digital Media Production, with a minor in Astronomy. I am extremely honored to be interning at the Global PCVE Programme at the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), specifically the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT). I have been working with the PCVE team for about four months, and it has been the most exciting four months of my life. It has been a privilege to work with a team who is dedicated to preventing and combatting extremism conducive to terrorism and a dream to intern here. After my internship, I hope to start a career in preventing and combatting far-right, specifically racially and ethnically motivated, violent extremism and terrorism. 

Christopher Wise

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations 

Internship Placement: Off the Record

My name is Christopher Wise and I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz. I joined Off the Record, the longest running women's foreign policy lecture forum in the United States. As the executive intern,  I worked on lecture preparation, social media management, and membership coordination. In addition, through our lectures and events, I was exposed to top-level academics and professionals on issues such as foreign policy, international peace and security, national security, sustainability, and the future of the US in the global context. This experience has shown me how NGOs can function and it has exposed me to prominent debates in International Relations by top scholars. 

Khadejah Taylor

SUNY Oswego 

Major: Political Science 

Internship Placement: Foreign Policy Association 

Lily Yampolsky

SUNY New Paltz 

Major: International Relations 

Internship Placement: A Chance in Life (ACIL) 

I am a senior graduating this December from SUNY New Paltz majoring in International Relations. This semester I interned at A Chance In Life which is a NGO that focuses on helping vulnerable youth in different countries across the world, including a new program right here in New York City. My responsibilities included writing for the monthly letter from the president, creating imagery for events, and working on projects to update donors on different programs. This internship gave me valuable work experience and a greater understanding of how an NGO operates. I hope to use the tools I learned during this time in a future career in security research.  

Noorjahan Aktar

Major: Political Science

Internship Placement: Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nation (UU@UN)

I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz pursuing a major in Political Science and a minor in Studio Arts. I am excited to be a part of the team at the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations this year. As a UU@UN intern, some of my duties include creating and organizing events including the organization’s major Spring Seminar event in April and writing blog posts. This internship also allows me to be creative and take initiative. I am contributing to revamping the organization's social media strategy. I am passionate about fighting for human rights and learning more about developing educational spaces regarding local and global social justice. UU@UN is the perfect place for me to learn more about building relationships and  advocacy by international NGOs as I consider a possible career path in this field. I truly value the work of UU@UN and I believe this internship will give a well-rounded experience to build a strong foundation and help guide me in the right direction for my future.

Nicole Castillo

Major: International Relations with a Minor in Law and Politics

Internship Placement: Brooklyn Defender Services in the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP)

I am a graduating senior with a degree in International relations from SUNY New Paltz.  I am interning at the Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS) in the NY Immigrant Family Unity Project team as an immigration intern. My tasks include country conditions research, translations, and assisting in gathering case documents. BDS does amazing work in providing legal representation to those who cannot afford an attorney. I know I want to be an immigration lawyer, so this internship is perfect for me to get a glimpse of what’s to come!

William Dratch

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Foreign Policy Association

Part of my internship duties at the Foreign Policy Association will be researching speaker backgrounds, affiliations, and developing questions that help shape discussion during FPA lectures. I am also being tasked with updating their social media accounts with current foreign policy news, updates of the presidential elections in 2020, and other important topics. I also support the work on the Great Decisions program’s mission in education outreach.  This internship experience has given me valuable working experience in the field of foreign policy.

Lenna Georgiadis

Major: International Relations and a Minor in Asian Studies

Internship Placement: Unitarian Universalists at the United Nations

Interning at an NGO like the UU@UN and observing its operations in advocating alongside other civil society organizations has shown me the impact of advocacy networks. My responsibilities range from researching and writing about international issues through blog posts, attending meetings, spearheading a panel event on women’s rights in January, working within the Logistics and Accessibility Committee for the Intergeneration Spring Seminar, and coordinating a sustainable fashion show. Although I work within the Climate Action Program, I get to attend meetings centered around LGBTQ+ rights, as well as gender and racial inequality. I love that I get to learn more about the intersectionality of social justice issues and how NGOs use advocacy strategies in agenda-setting at the United Nations. I hope to work as a policy analyst in the future.

Cesia Hernandez

Major: Political Science

Internship Placement: PEN America, Festival Program

I am interning at PEN America as part of their Festival Program. During a global pandemic, interning at PEN allowed me to learn strategies to persuade people to be more involved in human rights advocacy, even from a remote setting. PEN is teaching me more about how global NGOs work internally and how they become successful in advocating for an issue. One of my primary roles is outreach for PEN’s projects like the Worker Writer School and DREAMing Out Loud. 

Africa

Major: International Studies and Acting

Internship Placement: Human Rights First

My name is Dhyana A. Kogno, but I prefer being called Africa. I am a senior at SUNY Potsdam; I am currently interning at Human Rights First as a development intern. My internship at HRF, to me, means a path to fulfill my career. I hope to finish this internship with excellence, gain transferable skills, and create reliable social networks.

Nate Long

Major: International Relationships/ War and Peace Studies

Internship Placement: Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations

I am a senior at SUNY Geneseo currently interning with the European Union’s (EU) Delegation to the UN. My role is to assist the Human Rights Section of the delegation which covers all matters related to the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. One of my main responsibilities includes helping to coordinate local outreach efforts to the 27 EU member states. Additionally, I attend many webinars, side events, and meetings with NGOs, UN member states, and other relevant stakeholders and then write reports on those events that get sent back to Brussels or to the local missions of EU member states in New York. So far, I have been helping to formulate common EU policy regarding a resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Syrian Arab Republic that will be tabled at the Third Committee during the 75th session of the General Assembly. Moreover, I have been able to sit in on the negotiations for the Syria resolution and I perform regular background research on the current situation in the country. The highlight of the internship so far was getting to go in-person to the UN General Assembly hall to report on the general debate speeches for the 75th Anniversary of the UN. In the future, I hope to pursue a career in diplomacy with either the United States government or with an international organization.

Rama Najwa Muhammed

Major: International Relations and Political Science

Internship Placement: The Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations

Interning at the Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations has allowed Rama to gain expertise and insights on the climate crisis and geopolitics of the Pacific. Though virtual, this opportunity has granted her the privileges to attend the General Assembly sessions dealing with blue and green recoveries alongside post-COVID global investments. In this position, she represents and attends conferences on behalf of the mission as she works closely with the Deputy Permanent Representative.

Odessa Quinonez

Major: History and Political Science with a focus in International Relations

Internship Placement: The Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations

At New Paltz, as a Political Science major I have been interested in European politics.  When I got the opportunity to apply at the European Union Delegation and then got an interview, I was so excited!  I work in the Human Rights section and the 3rd Committee in the United Nations.  My tasks include attending meetings and side events, analyzing reports, writing brief reports or summaries for colleagues, and keeping track of the positions of other countries during meetings.  I hope to gain a greater understanding of the EU and UN as well as experience human rights work in real life during my internship.

Liz Rakowski

Major: International Relations with a concentration in Peace and Conflict

Internship Placement: The Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations Third Committee: Human Rights Section

Hello, my name is Liz Rakowski and I am from Buffalo, NY. I am a senior at Buffalo State College with the intention to graduate in Spring 2021. I am currently interning at the European Union 3^rd Committee Human Rights Section to the UN. This has been an eye-opening experience gaining real world knowledge on the inner workings of a delegation, negotiation processes, and developing valuable skills within this field. I feel extremely appreciative to have gotten the opportunity to intern at the EU, and I am hoping to take the experience gained during this time and apply it to a career or towards earning a masters degree in international affairs. I have been focusing on the Rights of the Child, the Digital age, and everything in between, all in relation to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Although I am only an intern, I feel as though I am truly contributing to combatting real world problems and for that I am very grateful.

Brandon V. Ramírez

Major: International Studies/ Anthropology

Internship Placement: Foreign Policy Association

I am a senior at SUNY Cortland and currently interning within the Executive Office of the Foreign Policy Association. The Foreign Policy Association strives to develop awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on United States foreign policy and global issues. I assist in coordinating lectures, managing social media posts, and reaching out to high-profile contacts regarding the Foreign Policy Association’s many events. I am also helping to prepare for the upcoming Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute.

Griffin Stockton

Major: International Relations & Sociology

Internship Placement: Off the Record

My name is Griffin Stockton and I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz. I joined Off the Record, a women’s foreign policy forum formed under the aegis of the Foreign Policy Association. In this position, I was able to witness and help facilitate great discussions on the issue of foreign policy and to gain the insight of authorities in the fields of economics, national security, and health on current events and the future of the US on the world stage. I worked on coordinating our lectures and our membership community and helped the organization adapt to the challenges and demands of COVID-19 and was able to meet and network with a number of brilliant and well-connected people in the field of international relations.

Alondra Ureña

Major: Political Science with a Minor in Anthropology

Internship Placement: Center for Integration and Advancement of New Americans (CIANA)

My responsibilities at CIANA include operating as the Case Management and Legal Intern. My plan for the future includes learning about the legal side of CIANA to help decide if law school is right for me.

Sarah Kelliher

Major: International Studies

Internship Placement: The Adventure Project

I am currently a Junior at SUNY Cortland, and transferred there in the Spring 2019 semester. I currently intern at The Adventure Project in the Development position. In this position, I have developed management skills beyond expectations as my supervisor has given me responsibilities for organizing TAPs major holiday fundraising initiative.

Elianna Bodnar

Major: International Studies

Internship Placement: Off the Record

My name is Elianna Bodnar and I am a senior at SUNY Cortland. I interned at Off the Record, a lecture series under the umbrella of Foreign Policy Association. I am excited to work for an organization that dates back to 1938 and is the longest running women's foreign policy lecture series in the country.  OTR lectures are not recorded or quoted; we keep all events "off the record". As a result, I was able to witness free exchange of ideas and great dialogue between our speakers and organization members. I am responsible for lecture coordination, running social media pages and organizing speakers for upcoming events. It's the perfect opportunity to network with distinguished figures in the foreign policy community and gain a better understanding of how NGOs function. 

Katherine Mattison

Major: International Relations / Asian Studies

Internship Placement: Development Intern at Human Rights First 

Katie’s Development Internship has given her the opportunity to participate in fundraising events such as the Human Rights First Awards Dinner. Katie has had the chance to help manage end of year giving, to help develop donor strategy, and to raise funds for the organization. 

Mari Kobayashi

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations

I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz, and majoring in International Relations. I intern at the Political Section of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations. My main tasks are to observe and report about the meetings by attending the General Assembly, the Security Council and other meetings concerning regional political issues. I especially like to assist with the Sixth Committee and international legal affairs. The Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations is working towards the goals of the government of Japan, and the Political Section is responsible for disarmament, non-proliferation, peacekeeping operations and international justice. This is a great opportunity for me as an intern to learn how diplomats and officials actually address difficult political matters, and how they represent their states at the United Nations. 

Jairo Perez Vargas

Major: Political Science

Internship placement: The Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

My name is Jairo E. Perez Vargas. I will be finishing up my last semester of undergrad in the SUNY Global Engagement Program. I intern at the Permanent Mexican Mission to the United Nations. The Mission is part of Mexico’s foreign relations branch (Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores). I am learning about how the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the UN represents the interests of Mexico at the UN. I work closely with delegates of the first and fourth committee dealing with issues of disarmament and decolonization.  I have not only had the privilege to attend General Assembly committee meetings in observing the development of resolutions, I also did comparative research and analysis around the decisions of the first and fourth committees for the Mission.

Tanner FitzPatrick

Major: Political Science

Internship Placement: International Rescue Committee.

At the International Rescue Committee's Reception & Placement Department, I assist refugees and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders in procuring benefits from the federal and state governments. IRC is dedicated to serving individuals and families who are seeking refuge in the United States from conflict and persecution.  During my internship, I focused on providing our clients with the tools to integrate into American society and become fiscally independent. When I am not assisting my supervisor with compiling case files and reaching out to public service providers, I am accompanying the IRC's clients when they visit places such as the Social Security Administration, SNAP offices, and the DMV so as to obtain important identification documents. This experience has prompted me to improve my Spanish and Russian language skills, take a more active role in advocating for my clients needs, and adopt a more professional attitude towards my work.

Eleanor Pena

Major: International Relations / Spanish

Internship Placement: Economic Empowerment Department at the International Rescue Committee

I am the Economic Empowerment Intern for the International Rescue Committee. I am responsible for assisting the Employment Specialist in job matching for clients. We work toward helping our clients become self sufficient. The IRC is an international humanitarian organization that is determined to help refugees and other immigrants to rebuild their lives after conflict and disaster. I assist with resume creation, interview preparation and helping the client through the process of getting a job! It’s exciting and the outcome of the client obtaining a job, is the most rewarding internship experience that one could have.

Elizabeth De Leon

Major: Public Policy / History

Internship Placement: Foreign Policy Association

I am a junior at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, I have a double major in Public Policy and History, and a double minor in Philippine Studies and Political Science. I am an intern at the Foreign Policy Association. I am excited to intern at an organization which was founded in 1918 and serves as a to develop awareness, understanding, and informed opinions on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. FPA’s goals to inform, engage, and inspire citizens to participate in the foreign policy process inspired me as a student of foreign policy. I work within the executive office to help coordinate global affairs events such as FPA’s annual world leadership forum. My responsibilities vary from calling an ambassador’s office to posting FPA events on their website, drafting emails, and corresponding with guests or speakers for FPA events. I had the opportunity to interact with and hear from world renowned speakers in intimate settings. This internship has allowed me to network with esteemed individuals involved in politics and academia. 

Lindsey Mayer

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Unitarian Universalist Association United Nations Office

My name is Lindsey Mayer, I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in International Relations with a minor in Art Studio.  I am the Climate Justice Intern at the Unitarian Universalist Association United Nations Office. As part of my internship I am expected to attend Non-Governmental Organization committee meetings, help prepare for the Intergenerational Seminar, write blog posts on UN initiatives, and organize a panel event on climate justice. The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office promotes the goal of world community with peace and justice, as reflected in the United Nations Charter. Our current focuses are human rights, LGBTQ and gender rights, climate justice, and ending white supremacy. From this experience, I have learned effective ways to advocate for human rights and climate justice while familiarizing myself with the United Nations. 

Ludwin Carbajal

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: The Adventure Project

My name is Ludwin Carbajal and I am a senior from SUNY Cortland studying International Relations with a minor in Economics. I am currently interning at The Adventure Project. TAP is a non-profit organization that builds opportunities by creating jobs for people living in extreme poverty. As an intern I help manage our CRM (Customer Relations Management) and other data. I help execute logistics and help behind the scenes by keeping the office running smoothly to ensure better opportunities for fundraising. I also contribute to research in relation to our projects in the Sahel Region in Africa. In the future, I hope to use the skills I gained through the Global Engagement Program to pursue a career in the not-for-profit sector in development. 

Lena Gran

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans (CIANA) 

I’m a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in international relations. This semester I am interning at CIANA as the education/programs intern. In my position I keep the education programs running smoothly, as well as tutor elementary and middle school kids. Our mission is to prevent the growing marginalization of new immigrants through education, legal, and transitional services. Through this internship I have gained first hand experience in the workplace and a not-for-profit organization.

Viktoriya Mazur

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: United Nations Department of Global Communications

My name is Viktoriya Mazur, and I am currently interning in the Outreach Division of the United Nations Department of Global Communications. The mission of the DGC is to inform a worldwide audience about the purposes and activities of the United Nations. My responsibilities include assisting in planning and organizing briefings and managing public inquiries.  With this internship, I have developed a deeper understanding of how the UN functions on a day to day basis as well as the pressing issues in global affairs that affect our daily lives. It has been an experience that helped me grow personally and develop professional skills. I feel more confident in workplace interactions, and was able to ultimately build my confidence as a future young professional.

Jeremy Luna

Major: International Relations / Asian Studies

Internship Placement: United States Mission to the United Nations (Department of State) 

I am currently interning at the United States Mission to the United Nations' Press Section. The U.S. Mission to the U.N. serves as the U.S. representative body in the U.N. As an intern, I am primarily involved in monitoring key political developments at the UN relevant to U.S. interests. I have also involved myself in planning contests related to the Sustainable Development Goals, speech editing, and social media postings. Through this internship, I hope to learn more about work and life in the U.S. Foreign Service and gain firsthand experience with press work. I hope to pursue a career as a Foreign Service Officer, and I am confident that this internship will be instrumental in my preparation to join the Foreign Service. 

Jean-elle Jno.Baptiste

Major: Social Sciences

Internship Placement: International Rescue Committee (IRC)

My name is Jean-elle Jno.Baptiste and I attend SUNY Potsdam. I am interning at IRC as an Intensive Case Management (ICM) intern as well as a Front Desk & Intake intern. Interning at the International Rescue Committee has allowed me the opportunity to help resettle refugees. I have seen the importance of refugee resettlement and the impact it has on their lives

Cory Sierra

Major: Theatre Arts

Internship Placement: Artists Striving To End Poverty

I am a Junior double majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Human Services and Theatre Arts with a concentration in Performance. I am currently interning at Artist Striving To End Poverty (ASTEP)which is a non for profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycles of poverty. By partnering teaching artist with underserved youth in NYC, Florida, Arkansas, South Africa and India they strive to train kids to think like artist using imagination and collaboration to solve problems.  I help run programs targeting underserved communities including the homeless, victims of violence, incarcerated youth, and others. By bringing expression through theater and other forms of art to these communities, our goal is for the marginalized persons to fulfill their agency.  

Alix Greenblatt

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: PCI Media

I am interning at PCI Media as the Social Justice Programs Intern. PCI Media uses storytelling and technology to promote social change on a global scale. This internship has helped improve my writing and communication skills. I do research for PCI’s Social Justice Program and manage their social media data. The Social Justice Program works on early and unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, LGBTQ+ rights, small arms and light weapons safety, and educating children on the SDGs.

Catherine Creedon

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: International Disability Alliance 

I am an intern at the International Disability Alliance. This internship has sent me to many high level meetings both at the United Nations and abroad.  For the internship, I traveled to Norway with a member of the organization to attend a high level meeting. Overall, it’s been a great opportunity to learn and network.

Kiana Graham

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: PEN America World Voices Festival of International Literature

Short Bio: I am interning at PEN America for their World Voices Festival of International Literature. Interning at PEN America has given me a first-hand account of human rights advocacy. It now pushes me to strive harder for my professional goals and creates a deeper understanding of my career path.

Giulia Ancillotti

Major:  Social Science

Internship Placement: Center for Reproductive Rights (Fall 2018)

I will be interning at the Center for Reproductive Rights as part of the Global Legal Program. I will be working on projects with the regional teams and complete administrative as well as legal administrative tasks and do research. I hope to deepen my understanding of current global issues and combine theoretical knowledge with practical work. I expect from my internship experience to learn more about the legal efforts to obtain equal rights for women and strengthen my career prospects.

Brandon Canady

Major: Social Sciences

Internship Placement: The Common Good (Fall 2018)

I am interning at The Common Good. I am a project associate intern my duties include but are not limited to assisting in event planning, execution and post-event wrap up, research on issues involving domestic and international policies, attend meetings.

Jordan Chiara

Major: Economics and International Relations

Internship Placement: International Disability Alliance (Fall 2018)

I am currently interning at the International Disability Alliance. IDA seeks to advance the human rights of persons with disabilities by advocating at the United Nations. As an intern I attend meetings at the UN, report on these meetings, and conduct research on progress made towards the 2030 Agenda for persons with disabilities. In the future, I hope to use the knowledge and experiences gained through the SUNY Global Engagement Program to pursue a career in human rights or sustainable development.

Richard Creecy

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Court of International Trade (Fall 2018)

Current Position: Admissions Coordinator and Operations Manager at the SUNY New Paltz

Some of my responsibilities include administrative functions, Library and Legal archiving of documents, assisting with Court Events; also included are attending oral arguments and attending luncheons hosted by judges. I hope to learn more about trade conducted between the US and the rest of the globe. Additionally, I would like to gain some insight on law school and a career in the legal field. Lastly, I hope to become extremely familiar with the ins-and-outs of NYC

Micah Dicker

Major: Political Science / Sociology

Internship Placement: CIANA (Fall 2018)

Current Position: Communications and Development VISTA at the CIANA- CEnter for the Integration and Advancement of New Americas 

This semester I'll be a legal intern at CIANA, an organization that provides services to immigrants as they assimilate into American life. Over the course of the semester, I hope that my work at CIANA and our weekly discussions will help me better understand the complex legal processes that many immigrants have to go through, and to overall be able to help those who come to this country fleeing negative conditions.

Kirsa Drobnicki

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) (Fall 2018)

I am interning at the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI). I will be assisting in the planning and organization of briefings hosted by the UNDPI Outreach department. This semester I hope to be challenged by the work of GEP and of my internship. From this internship, I expect to learn more about the organizational structure and inner workings of the United Nations and to gain a more clear perspective of my future career goals.

Elena Juliano

Major: Social Science

Internship Placement: PEN America (Fall 2018)

This 2018 Fall semester I will be a World Voices Festival Intern for PEN America. While doing this internship, I hope to learn more about the suppressed voices that the organization fights for and about the struggles of writers. I also hope to learn what it takes to put on programs while dealing with politics.

Alexandra Lane

Major: International Relations with a concentration in War and Peace Studies

Internship Placement: Human Rights First (Fall 2018)

I am a senior at SUNY Geneseo majoring in International Relations with a concentration in War and Peace Studies and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. This semester I am interning as the Director of Development Intern at Human Rights First. During my time at HRF I hope to obtain research and field experience that will help me prepare for graduate school, law school, and future job opportunities.

Paola Orozco

Major:  International Relations

Internship Placement: Permanent Mission of Honduras to the United Nations (Fall 2018)

Current Position: Research Fellow at the Our Climate

My tasks included assisting delegates with resolution research, attending UN headquarters and Security Council meetings, working with the General Assembly and Trusteeship Council, and covering the UN committees. I mainly covered the First, Second, Fourth, and Sixth Committees, which treat issues relating to international peace and security, economic development, peacekeeping operations, and legal matters. During my internship, I received first-hand experience of how diplomacy works. One of the highlights of my experience, was witnessing the entire process of drafting a resolution when I attended the drafting of the International trade and development for the Caribbean Sea resolutions for the 73rd session of the Second Committee.

Siobhan Raisbeck

Major: Commercial Law, Marketing, International Relations, Political Science

Internship Placement: Court of International Trade (Fall 2018)

I am an intern with the Court of International Trade. Through this position and this semester, I am expecting this semester is to learn the nuances of international trade agreements and cases, as well as further my legal writing and research knowledge. The Global Engagement Program is a fantastic opportunity that I intend to make the most out of.

Jesmine Romanelli

Major: International Relations / Minor in Environmental Studies 

Internship Placement: Rainforest Foundation (Fall 2018)

Current Position: Development Coordinator at the All Stars Project, Inc. 

This semester I'm interning at the Rainforest Foundation. Much of my work is going to be communications based, where I will be helping with the organization's social media and general outreach but I also am going to be able to work on some of the Rainforest Foundation's programs and projects concerning indigenous land rights, climate change and Amazon Rainforest preservation!

Hannah Rosicka

Major: Political Science and International Relations

Internship Placement: Executive Office of the Foreign Policy Association (Fall 2018)

As the intern to the Executive Office of the Foreign Policy Association, Hannah is a part of creating the annual world Leadership Forum, as well as this year’s Centennial Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) serves as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues and was Hannah’s first choice for her internship.

Ayaka Suzuki

Major: International Relations / Minors in French and Economics

Internship Placement: United Nations Headquarters

Current position: Consultant at the FactSet

My responsibilities will include accompanying diplomatic officers from the Economic Section to conferences and other activities held at United Nations Headquarters, assisting in the preparation of memos and reports, and other tasks under supervision of Economic Section.

Ahmad Tipu

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: UN NGO Committee 

Current Position: Freelancer - Sustainability, Foundations, and Waterschool at the SWAROVSKI
This fall, I will be interning at Swarovski as a corporate social responsibility intern and at the UN NGO Committee on Financing for Development as a student intern. By combining these two opportunities I hope to gain experience in the rapidly expanding area between public and private sectors in order to further work on sustainable development.

Brian Vazquez

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Off the Record  (Fall 2018)

Current Position: Language & Cultural Assistant at the Ministerio de Educacion

As Executive Office Intern of Off the Record over the course of the next semester, my responsibilities include: preparing for the 2018- 2019 season’s lecture series by inviting speakers and connecting with their offices, assistance at events, working with other interns on upcoming projects, and more. I expect to build real world skills in a professional working environment through firsthand experience one cannot simply have in a typical college classroom setting.

Marissa Alperin

Major: History

Internship Placement: Foreign Policy Association

The Foreign Policy Association (FPA) serves as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues. As an Executive intern for FPA, I am responsible for providing event support. My tasks include setting up events, registering members for events, preparing panels and lectures, and drafting letters. So far, FPA has held its annual World Leadership Forum, which included three sessions of panels, and even a speech given by Ambassador Zhang Qiyue during the luncheon. The Spiros Voutsinas Memorial lecture included a speech given by former Ambassador Jacovides of Cyprus, as well as a joint FPA Centennial lecture with the Global Engagement program, in which Professor Doyle spoke about a new Model for Migrants and Refugees.

Halle Anderson

Major: International Relations / Economics

Internship Placement: International Rescue Committee (IRC) (Fall 2017) 

Current Position: Student Advocate at SUNY New Paltz

I am an intern with the Leadership Gifts Fundraising and Development team at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). (No official job title). The IRC is an international humanitarian organization that helps people regain and rebuild their lives after conflict and disaster. I work primarily with Donor Advised Funds and ensure that the contact information for our Donors are correct. I also have been working with the team to do a massive clean-up of Salesforce, a program that the IRC uses to keep track of donation records and accounts.

Kurumi Aoki

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: PEN America ( Fall 2017)

My experience at PEN America as a World Voices Festival intern has been wonderful and enlightening. Under the guidance of the General Manager of the Festival, Kim Chan, I was able to learn the ins and outs of event management. I'm positive that anyone who possesses interest in how PEN protects the freedom of expression, will enjoy this internship as much as I have!

Taylor Bood-Usher

Major: International Studies

Internship Placement: International Disability Alliance ( Fall 2017)

My name is Taylor Bood-Usher and I am from Belize, Central America. I am a senior at SUNY Cortland majoring in International Studies. I am currently interning for the International Disability Alliance. IDA advocates at the United Nations for a more inclusive global environment for persons with disabilities. My role as an intern is to attend meetings at the UN and research progress made towards the 2030 Agenda for persons with disabilities, creating reports based on my findings. I am hoping to pursue a career in either diplomacy, human rights or sustainable development; so I am grateful that my internship gives me the experience of all three!

Ayomide John Borisade

Major:  International Relations

Internship Placement: Outreach Division in the United Nations Department of Public Information (UNDPI) (Fall 2017)

Current Position: Crew Member at CARLS JR

As an intern, my main tasks are scheduling briefings for my supervisor, aiding tour guides in monitoring visitors and working the front desk in the visitors’ center. The goal of UNDPI is to foster dialogue with global constituencies such as academia, civil society, the entertainment industry, educators and students to encourage support for the ideals and activities of the United Nations.

Scott Boyce

Major: Social Science / Economics

Internship Placement: Swarovski Waterschool (Fall 2017)

I have been interning at the Swarovski Waterschool, an organization centered around improving access to safe water and providing education on and resources for sustainable and sanitary habits for communities across the globe. I have been reading reports to gather information on the current progress these communities are making with the intention of helping the Waterschool team development global indicators to establish a more systematic reporting system.

Nicole Cagar

Major:  International Relations / Minor in German

Internship Placement: The United Nations Foundation ( Fall 2017)

Current Position: Research Assistant at the Statista

I am the United Nations Association of USA Intern at the United Nations Foundation. I provide assistance on research, grant proposals, and funding opportunities and collaborate with UNA-Education on design and conceptualization of new ventures, programs and activities. The United Nations Foundation connects the UN's work through different campaigns and works with NGOs to help the UN work through issues such as climate change, global health, gender equality, and US UN relations. The UN Foundation is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030

Polina Chanova-DiBona

Major: Social Science

Internship Placement: United Nations Department of Public Information (Fall 2017)

The main mission of DPI is dedicated to communicating ideas and work of the United Nations to the world while interacting and partnering with diverse audiences and building support for peace, development and human rights for all. My internship is in the Outreach Division of the UN Department Public Information, where I get to assist many of the United Nations outreach programs. My functions are to help with planning and organization of conferences and other outreach activities, providing logistic support for the organization's public events, guided tours, and briefings, concluding internet research on thematic issues, coordinating with the special guests and VIP’s, and overseeing RSVP lists and volunteers. My responsibilities also include providing general office support, for example, processing, drafting, and finalizing correspondence and other communications, setting up and maintaining files and records, organizing meetings, etc.

Andrew Dittus

Major: Communication Disorders and Deaf Studies

Internship Experience: Earth Child Institute

This semester I'm interning for the Earth Child Institute, an environmental education NGO. My duties include communications management, environmental lesson planning, and funding research. At Earth Child Institute we support educating children all around the world about environmental issues affecting their communities. We work with the Swarovski Waterschools, the UN Department of Public Information, and governments all around the world to promote our values of environmental awareness and protection.

Samantha Hussey

Major: Global and International Studies

Internship Placement: NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security

I am currently a second-semester senior from SUNY Oswego. As part of the Global Engagement Program, I am interning at the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security. My duties include documenting United Nations General Assembly First Committee sessions for partner organizations, writing disarmament related blogs and reports for partner organizations’ websites, creating and coordinating NGOCDPS panel events at the United Nations, and organizing meetings between the NGOCDPS and other civil society organizations. The NGOCDPS actively promotes disarmament and non-proliferation, both at the United Nations and among civil society organizations. My organization acts as a network of disarmament-related NGOs and actively promotes the voices of disarmament-related civil society organizations at the UN.

Samantha Klein

Major: International Relations / Spanish

Internship Placement: Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (Fall 2017)

Current Position: Program Coordinator at the North Shore Animal League America  

I am the Israel & International Affairs Intern at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York. I am responsible for our social media page called Iran180 which highlights the Iranian human rights abuses that occur on a daily basis. I have also been researching and drafting the International Affairs and Global Jewish community sections of the Community Concerns which is an annual policy document that outlines the concerns of the Jewish community locally and globally. The mission of JCRC-NY is to build and maintain relationships with New York’s ethnic, religious, and political leadership and to create advocates for the Jewish community locally, in Israel, and globally.

Justianny Morillo

Major: International Studies

Internship Placement:  Off-the- Record (Fall 2017)

My name is Justianny Morillo, I am an International Studies major along with Criminal Justice and Spanish minor at SUNY Potsdam. I am currently interning at off-the- Record. OTR is the longest running women's foreign policy lecture forum in the United States. Created under the aegis of the Foreign Policy Association in New York City in 1938, OTR today has some 600 members. Public discourse has always been an essential element of America's democratic traditions. Led by a volunteer Board of Governors, OTR is a part of that tradition and provides a unique forum for businesswomen, academics, diplomats and educators to hear and question renowned foreign policy practitioners and thinkers on a regular basis. In this organization, I work under the Executive Assistant to OTR chairman and my responsibilities are: event planning and administrative work. So far, OTR has hosted two events, the first topic title was Walls or Bridges: What Will Shape American Greatness in the 21st Century? and the speaker was Antony Blinken, Managing Director of the Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement and Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State . The second topic title was Populism and Protest in Global Politics, and the speaker was Gillian Tett, U.S. Managing Editor for the Financial Times.

Arjeta Prenaj

Major: International Relations

Internship Placement: Brooklyn Defenders Service (BDS)

My name is Arjeta Prenaj and I will be graduating in December with a BA in International Relations and a minor Spanish. I currently serve as an Immigration Intern at the Brooklyn Defenders Services, in the New York Immigrant Family Unit Project, NYIFUP team. BDS is dedicated to providing legal representation to those who cannot afford an attorney. As an intern, I assist with country condition research, employment permits and other immigration related paperwork, meet with clients, observe trials at immigration court etc. I hope this internship position helps me decide if law school is the right choice for me. I am grateful to be part of a team of hardworking individuals who help some of the most vulnerable individuals in NYC.

Tenzing Ukyab Lama

Major: Art History / Communications Studies

Internship Placement: Rubin Musuem of Art (Fall 2017)

Current Position: Research and Communications at the The Himalyan Art Gallery

I am currently interning at ‘Rubin Musuem of Art’ which is a musuem that focuses on Himalayan Art and Education. I work as their Curatorial Intern and am currently working on their upcoming 2018 exhibition of ‘The Second Buddha: Mastr of Time’ and also helping out with their Shrine Room Rotation and other interesting events that take place at the Rubin. So far I am having a great learning experience at the Musuem and am getting good exposure As an intern. I am helping out with more of research work for the exhibition and doing very interesting readings. As an aspiring Tibetan student, who wants to research and be a specialist in the Tibetan Arts and culture field. The Rubin Musuem of Art is providing me with great exposure, experience, opportunities to meet new people and grow as a learning student. Which I am very Thankful for.

Burhan Yerebaken

Major: General Business

Internship Placement: Swarovski North America (Fall 2017)

I serve as the sustainability intern at Swarovski North America.  I am working on a comparative research project on corporate sustainability tools and programs and identifying third parties that may be most compatible with the needs of Swarovski.  This research pays close attention to effective sustainability strategy development and internal education and participation. In addition I support the Sustainability Manager in regional sustainability pursuits as needed.

Maya Zaynetdinova

Major:  Economics / Social Science

Internship Placement: The United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office (Fall 2017)

I intern at the United Nations Regional Commissions New York Office (RCNYO) which a joint office that coordinates and represents on the global level the five UN Regional Commissions: ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean), ECE (Economic Commission for Europe), ECA (Economic Commission for Africa), ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) and ESCWA (Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia). The structure of the office is unique because the Commissions were created by ECOSOC, while the Secretariat is part of the UN Secretariat, DESA Department. I am an Economic Affairs intern and am responsible for a number of things in the office. Namely, I attend UN meetings (including UN General Assembly, ECOSOC sessions, Second Committee meetings and various side events), write reports and summaries for the Director and do research on Sustainable Development and Migration. RCNYO provides policy advice and monitors development on the regional level, as well as implementation of the SDGs into regional agenda. Ultimately, our office makes sure that the voice of the regions is heard and taken into consideration. RCNYO unites the five commissions under one global core and promotes interregional cooperation.

Tori Amorosi

Tori Amorosi is the Case Management intern at CIANA, the Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans. She is in her final year at SUNY New Paltz as an International Relations and French double major. Tori aspires to work abroad in the field of development, accompanied by the knowledge of international and non-profit work that was given through the SUNY Global Engagement Program.

Fatoumata Balde

My name is Fatoumata Binta Balde, I am from Guinea, West Africa. I am currently a junior at Sunny Buffalo State College and my major is International Relations. As part of the Global Engagement Program, I am interning at Human Rights First as a development intern. My future goal is to be able to work in a globally engaged NGO that advocates for humanitarian causes. Participating in this program enables me to gain the skills and necessary experience to achieve my goal.

Catherine Cole

Catherine Cole, Interning at the International Rescue Committee, in the Leadership Gifts division. My role is to assist in some research projects which will help in the development of tools for use by this division. I am a senior and my major is International Relations. I hope to gain a thorough understanding of the IRC in particular, NGOs and IGOs in general, as well as marketable and useful skills I can use in this field.

Laura Connolly

My name is Laura Connolly. My internship is with the United Nations Medical Services Division (MSD). As an intern I assist MSD with the implementation of UN medical standards/ policies, address health care issues in duty stations around the globe, and ensure UN staff access to benefit programs (like vaccines before traveling abroad). As an undergraduate student at SUNY Cortland, I study Public Health & Administration. I hope to have a career that allows me to work with global healthcare.

Mehmet Demir

My name is Mehmet Demir. I am currently enrolled in the dual degree program as a business major between Istanbul Technical University (ITU) and SUNY New Paltz. I am interning with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs NGO Branch. One of my few functions are included but not limited to: Evaluation the new applications from NGO's that applied to get the consultative status with the UN, analyzing the quadrennial reports sent to UN from 4500 current NGO's affiliated with ECOSOC, assisting the front office regarding the agenda for the President of ECOSOC.

Alexandre Dumouza

My name is Alexandre Dumouza and I am an intern for the United Nation’s Department of Public Information. In this organization, I work under the UN’s Educational Outreach Division which specializes in promoting activities as well as resources to the general public. I am a double major in International Studies and Sociology, with minors in both French and Spanish. In the future, my goal is to work for an non-governmental organization which foster the need for greater education in least developed countries.

Kathryn Ebersole

I am currently in my 9th semester at SUNY Potsdam, solely for the purpose of the GEP experience. I am a Music and Philosophy with minors in History and Classical Studies. I have an internship with the World Policy Institute as a research and development intern. I hope this work will help me shape what my future holds, although I do not know at this moment exactly what that will be.

Samantha Flax

My name is Samantha Flax. I am currently in my senior year at New Paltz with a history major and a minor in anthropology. This semester I am interning at PEN America working on organizing the World Voices festival an international literary festival. I am excited to see where this internship leads particularly because it combines my interests in writing and international affairs.

Maria Gershuni

My name is Maria Gershuni and I am a senior, studying International Relations with minors in Central and Eastern European Studies and the Honors College at SUNY College at Geneseo. I am an intern at the United Nations Department of Public Information in their Academic Impact Division. I hope this internship will give me the research skills and experience I need for research projects, graduate school, and possibly a career in Foreign Service or university level teaching.

Kari Hively

Kari Hively is a second-semester senior studying journalism and global international studies with concentrations in global culture and sustainability from SUNY Oswego. She is also interested in foreign language, studying Mandarin Chinese and Spanish alongside her other academic interests. Her passion for language, international relations and journalism led her to an internship with PEN America. PEN America is the largest of more than 100 centers of PEN International and "stands at the intersection of literature and human rights," working to preserve freedom of expression worldwide. She interns in the World Voices Festival of International Literature, which is an annual New York City-hosted international celebration of free expression and global literature that brings in more than 150 writers from 30 countries. Her role at PEN is to assist in festival development, planning and organization alongside assisting PEN's other departments as needed.

Cole Kitchen

My name is Cole Kitchen, I am an international relations major, and Asian studies minor at SUNY New Paltz.  I am currently interning at the Foreign Policy Association.  The Foreign Policy Association's mission is to serve are a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and world issues.  My main responsibility has been event planning for high profile guests.  FPA just held our annual World Leadership Forum, which included seven panels discussing today's pressing world issues.  Secretary General of the UN, Ban ki-Moon, gave a speech at the World Leadership Forum luncheon.  Other events have included a statesman award dinner at the St. Regis hotel, as well as hosting the first ever joint event between the Foreign Policy Association, and the Global Engagement Program.

Martina Nadeau

My name is Martina Nadeau and I am a political science major at SUNY New Paltz. This semester through the global engagement program, I'm interning with the Global Legal Program at the Center for Reproductive Rights. I work with four regional groups on a diverse set of projects, ranging from preparation of African Judge training materials to creating policy briefs to combat child marriage in Asia. This opportunity has been an engaging and immersive experience for me, acting as a stepping stone as I plan on pursuing a JD or masters in public health in the near future.

Tenzin Rangdol

My name is Tenzin Rangdol. I am a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in international Relations. I am currently interning at the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme which is a part of the United Nations Department of Public Information. In my position I conduct research, and produce content for social media. I also support the team in putting together events and managing partnerships with different NGOs, schools and museums.

Claiane Rojas

My name is Claiane Rojas, I am a double major in Latin American & Caribbean Studies and International Relations with a Spanish minor. I had the opportunity to study abroad in Havana this summer to learn more about the Caribbean and social movements. I am currently interning at the United Nations Development Program in Latin America and the Caribbean, I am working as a communications analyst.  I am responsible for presenting our new reports to the media.

Karen Vallejos

I am a senior at the College of Mount Saint Vincent. I am majoring in Sociology and minoring in Business and Political Science. In the future, I am planning to master in International Relations. With the Global Engagement Program, I am hoping to learn more about the relevant topics in Global Affairs and how it affects our everyday lives.  I am currently interning at Damayan Migrants Workers Association. Its missions is to education, organize, and mobilize low wage Filipino workers to fight for their labor, health, gender, and immigration rights. At my internship, I assist the lead case manager with administrative work, organizing and conducting events, language translation at legal consultations, and attend consulate meetings.

Sofia Villalon

Sofia Villalon is a junior at SUNY Geneseo double majoring in international relations and French with a concentration in global political economy. Prior to starting her internship at Brooklyn Defender Services, Sofia spent her summer in Dakar, Senegal immersing herself in the West-African culture while conducting original research on immigration patterns. Sofia’s roots, passion for culture and experience in Senegal encouraged her to seek an internship that would expand her knowledge surrounding immigration issues. This led her to intern for the New York Immigration Family Unity Project (NYIFUP) with the Immigration Practice at Brooklyn Defender Services (BDS).

Katherine Walther

Katie Walther is a senior International Relations and Chemistry major at Drake University with a focus in African studies. She worked as a research and development intern at Swarovski with their Waterschool program. She helped organize program information for presentations, edit educational materials and give feedback, and work on the content for a new website. Her main projects throughout the semester were to align the program with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and do research to develop indicators that could be used in schools to track the progress of the Swarovski Waterschool program in each country.  The Swarovski Waterschool is the company’s flagship community investment program which started in 2000. They partner with NGO’s and non-profits in countries across the world to teach children about the importance of clean water, promote good sanitation and hygiene practices, and improve access to water in schools. As of 2016, they have expanded to work in 7 countries and continue to seek ways to empower young people to be actors of change both on a local level as well as globally.

Hannah D'Arcy

Hi my name is Hannah D'Arcy and I am from Queens, New York. I am currently a senior from SUNY Oneonta where I study philosophy and political science. I am super excited to be a part of the SUNY Global Engagement Program this semester, and will be interning at the Swarovski Waterschool, specifically working in corporate social responsibility outreach.

Odile Zoungrana

My name is Odile Zoungrana and I am interning at the National Organization for Women as a Women's Right Intern. As an intern I work with women who seek legal, medical and social assistance. I assist with web development and extensive research in child marriage.

Daniel Berg

Daniel Berg is an International Relations and Communications Contract major at SUNY New Paltz.  During his internship at PEN American Center, he provided research and development support for the World Voices Festival, a literary festival established in 2005 with the aim of expanding the literary horizons of American audiences and promoting intercultural communication.  He developed a social media strategy proposal for the Festival in 2016 which was well received by the organization.  He also conducted research for the Director of Free Expression Programs about writers who are facing persecution, censorship and even violence for expressing their views globally. He said “I had many great opportunities and had an opportunity to receive mentorship and advice from a staff of world-class professionals while at PEN”.

Brianna Caroll

Brianna is a graduating senior in Psychology and Criminal Justice at University at Albany.  She interned at the Center for Reproductive Rights, a non-governmental organization that uses the law and advocacy efforts to advance the sexual and reproductive health of women worldwide, by advancing their freedom and access to basic, proper care. Brianna worked specifically with the Center’s Global Legal Program (GLP), a faction of the Center that documents abuses, files cases within national and regional courts, and promotes progressive policy changes in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe. Brianna said “The Global Engagement Program and the internship at the Center for Reproductive Rights was a fulfilling opportunity for me, as I was able to learn more about the impact of civil society and legal reform and understand the type of work and dedication that is required to run an organization like the Center.”

Austin Cartagena

Austin is a graduating senior with International Relations and Spanish majors at SUNY New Paltz.  As an advocacy and documentation intern at OutRight Action International, Austin has researched and written reports on LGBT human rights abuses around the world.  OutRight Action International is a non-governmental human rights organization with UN ECOSOC affiliation.  Austin was tasked with working with the United Nations organizing the organization’s delegation of LGBT human rights activists from around the globe to take part in Human Rights Day at the UN on December 10th. He said “The Global Engagement Program has made [my dream of working at the UN] a reality sooner than I ever could have imagined. I have had the opportunity to put my education to the test, taking part in events at places like the United Nations and even Google.”

Cecilia Stein

Cecilia Stein was a senior in international relations when she interned at the clerk's office of the United States Court of International Trade, which was established in 1980 to oversee all legal cases arising out of international trade policy in the U.S. Cecelia helped write a memo on the change of rules of the court's advisory committee. She also worked on the law library court archives, and preparing for an investiture ceremony for two new judges appointed the court. She was responsible for helping write the chief justices' speech at the investiture ceremony. She gained tools for legal research working with a judge half the semester. She also had the opportunity to attend court hearings and meet one on one with other judges to gain insight on how the work of the court impacts the globalized economy.

Maria Camila Gomez

Camila is a graduating senior in Political Science at SUNY College at Buffalo.  She interned with Seeds of Peace in their Graduate Programs department. She facilitated the events and overall development of the GATHER fellowship, a new program launched by Seeds of Peace.  The fellowship helps to foster continued development of relationships between previous participants of the peace camps organized by Seeds of Peace in their academic and professional lives.  Camila said “The overall SUNY GEP experience has made me realize that the road less traveled has the power to promote change and stability throughout the world. . . I have gained valuable experience in an organization that exemplifies diversity.  I helped with work that I believe will produce change makers.”

Hanna Kasahara

Hanna Kasahara is an international student at SUNY New Paltz majoring in International Relations. She interned at the Social Section of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, which covers social and humanitarian issues. As an intern, she had been assisting the diplomatic work for the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly, especially for the Third Committee. She observed and reported about the Third Committee meetings to the Social Section of the Mission.  By assisting day-to-day work of the Japanese diplomats at the UN, she learned the detailed process of the UN diplomacy, something she says “I could not find in the classrooms”. This experience stimulated her interest to pursue further study and career in the field of diplomacy.

Alexandra Nasar

Alexandra is an International Relations and Philosophy double major at SUNY New Paltz.  She interned at the Council on Foreign Relations in their energy and environment Geoeconomic Studies department.  She has done extensive research on a broad range of topics, from the cost of solar energy to initiatives within international community to mitigate climate change. She also had the opportunity to attend several high-level events across departments at CFR.  She said “I have learned a lot from this internship in a very short amount of time and gained deeper insights into fields that I am interested in pursuing in the future.”

Denera Ragoonan

Denera is a senior in International Relations at SUNY New Paltz. She interned at the Executive Office of the Foreign Policy Association. She helped prepare events for the FPA Speaker Series and the World Leadership Forum. She was responsible for membership duties, drafting and mailing letters to FPA’s newly added members and its board of directors. She did research on the potential speaker topics, panelists and venues for the 2016 speaker series. She said, “through this internship, I learned the importance of networking. I was able to meet interesting people during FPA’s events and some had very interesting perspectives on trending topics such as migration and cooperation with Iran. By both preparing for and attending FPA’s events, I became a lot more interested in topics such as population and cyber security.”

Masooma Rahmaty

Masooma is a junior in International Relations at SUNY New Paltz.  She interned at the United Nations Department of Public Information with the Holocaust Programme and Educational Outreach Division.  This division seeks to remind the world of the Holocaust lessons in order to prevent future acts of genocide.  Masooma contributed to the production of the Holocaust and the United Nations Outreach Programme Discussion Papers Journal.  She drafted content and media coordinating with the UN Graphic Design Unit. She also volunteered with Media Accreditation and Liaison Office for two weeks during the General Assembly opening.  She participated in many UN events throughout her internship allowing her to observe the inner workings of the organization closely.

Abigail Swint Robinson

Abby Swint is senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in International Relations and Spanish. She worked as a communications intern at the Rainforest Foundation, a non-for-profit organization seeking to decrease deforestation by providing land rights to indigenous peoples in Peru, Guyana, Brazil and Panama. Abby informed followers of the Rainforest Foundation about deforestation and indigenous peoples’ rights in the perspective countries through social media, specifically, Facebook and Twitter. As an intern, Abby developed new skills in communications field.  She said “The GEP experience confirmed my desire to pursue a career in environmental activism.”   

Maria Toledo

Maria is a graduating senior in International Relations at SUNY New Paltz.  She interned at The Humpty Dumpty Institute with their United Nations Programs, Congressional Delegations and Higher Education Alliance. She conducted research on higher education institutions that were potential candidates to join the HEA Program.   She also assisted the US-UN programs manager in planning US Congressional delegation trips to UN and overseas. She helped build a database of Congress members and their staff for HDI’s Congressional Delegations Program.  She also assisted in research for potential future humanitarian programs HDI may consider relating to women and economic development.  

Sampson Oppedisano

Sampson Oppedisano is a senior at SUNY New Paltz majoring in international relations and Asian studies. He interned with the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace and Security, a network of organizations which play a crucial role in informing NGOs and civil society on the status of negotiations and country positions within the fields of disarmament, peace, and security. The committee is comprised of more than 30 different organizations, all of which lend their expertise and resources for their common work. Acting as both an intern and youth representative, Sampson held a variety of responsibilities, from planning events and researching fundraising opportunities to organizing a program to expose local students to the United Nations through briefings. He also frequently attended UN conferences as a note taker for his supervisors and has contributed to the First Committee Monitor, a collaborative publication created to increase the transparency and accessibility of the First Committee of the UN's work. He attended the opening of the UN General Assembly, where UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and many heads of state spoke, including U.S. President Barack Obama.

Julia Mizutani

Julia Mizutani, a junior international relations major with a double minor in French and environmental studies at SUNY Geneseo, spent the fall 2014 semester working as an intern for the Center for Reproductive Rights. Prior to studying at Geneseo, she spent a year volunteering for an NGO in Zimbabwe, Africa. The experience pushed her to gain more tangible skills in addition to academic knowledge by interning in Uganda in summer 2013, and now for the Center for Reproductive Rights in their global legal program.

As an intern for the Center for Reproductive Rights, she worked with international lawyers to advance reproductive freedom as a fundamental human right that all governments are legally obligated to protect, respect, and fulfill. The Center for Reproductive Rights uses legal advocacy to bring cases before national courts, international courts, United Nations committees, and regional human rights bodies. During her time working for the global legal program, she reviewed shadow letters and wrote cover letters for various UN and regional committees to review human rights violations in countries such as Nepal and Uganda, researched abortion laws across the globe, created databases for UN contacts, and researched the link between maternal mortality rates and HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.

Justin Kalin

Justin Kalin, an accounting major from SUNY Binghamton, worked with Human Rights First on the development team. Human Rights First is an independent advocacy organization challenging the U.S government and private companies to uphold human rights and the rule of law. Its initiatives protect refugees who flee persecution, victims of crimes against humanity or other mass human rights violations, victims of discrimination, those whose rights are eroded in the name of national security, and human rights advocates who are targeted for defending the rights of others. As a development intern, Justin provided support for fundraising efforts that involve major donors, foundations, and corporate law firms. Along with prospect research and the reporting of commitments made to foundations, he participated in donor calls and communications meetings to best serve the organization's programming needs. He also helped with the 2014 Human Rights First Award Dinner.

Kasper Garlicki and Alison Kilrain

Kasper Garlicki and Alison Kilrain both interned at the Foreign Policy Association (FPA), an organization with a 96-year history. The FPA's goal is to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues.

Kasper, majoring in international relations at SUNY New Paltz, worked as an events department intern. He assisted the president of the FPA in planning different conferences, task forces, and other events held throughout the year. He was involved in their annual World Leadership Forum. Task forces are shorter events designed to spread awareness of growing issues that affect the world. He helped plan events on climate change and America's role on the international stage.

Alison is a senior in the political science department at SUNY New Paltz, with a focus in international relations. She worked at the FPA as an executive office intern. She focused on education, event planning, and social media management. The FPA publishes a yearly magazine entitled Great Decision, which helps to educate the American public on leading foreign policy issues and promote discussion. The FPA holds various events throughout the year that are focused on the topics of great decisions. Alison worked to design the topics of the discussion for the lecture, locate venues and panelists for these events, and advertise these events to FPA members and students.

Both Kasper and Alison helped to organize and execute high profile speaker events. They have heard from such persons as Professor Stephen Sestanovich, the Premier of Quebec Phillippe Couillard, and former Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

Jasmine Laudato-Hufalar

Jasmine Laudato-Hufalar is a senior in politics, philosophy, and law (PPL) at SUNY Binghamton. Her interest in Philippine-U.S. relations led her to an internship with Damayan Migrant Workers Association. Damayan means "to help each other" in Filipino, and this grassroots organization is a resource for Filipino domestic workers who live and work in the New York/tri-state area. Damayan advocates for fair labor standards and rights for non-national domestic workers who have been excluded from existing labor laws. During the course of her internship, Jasmine was deeply involved in Damayan's BAKLAS ("Break free" in Filipino) Campaign to stop labor trafficking of Filipino domestic workers. She also had the opportunity to work with her supervisor, the case manager, to help domestic workers file cases against their employers for labor violations such as unpaid overtime and abrupt termination and to connect them to a network of pro-bono legal services. In addition, her daily responsibilities consisted of updating social media platforms and conducting outreach to members.

Ivan Cardoso

“Access, a Non Profit organization advocating globally for your digital rights. At Access I was a part of the Operations Team. I worked closely with Ben Whelan my direct supervisor, on assignments such as recruitment, human resources, and other operational tasks helping coordinate the global efforts of Access.”

Krysten DeJesus

Krysten DeJesus is a senior at SUNY New Paltz, where she is a double major in International Relations and French. Her passion for humanitarian affairs and her personal faith led her to Religions for Peace International.  Religions for Peace International is an NGO affiliated with the United Nations. Religious leaders are called to engage with one another and live out their responsibility of being agents for peace. Through advocacy campaigns, educational programs, and donations, RfP emphasizes the importance of facilitating an interfaith dialogue that promotes diplomatic relations amongst people of all cultures and faiths.  As an intern for the International Secretariat, Krysten assisted in planning the RfP annual Executive Committee Meeting and the Interfaith Climate Summit where she engaged with influential leaders from around the world. Krysten has also helped write and publish the Religions for Peace newsletter. She attended a variety of meetings at the United Nations throughout the semester.

Hajera Siddiq

Hajera Siddiq is a senior studying science, technology, and society at SUNY Farmingdale. She interned with the Clinton Foundation, which works on international and national issues by building partnerships between business, NGOs, governments, and individuals to find sustainable and long-lasting solutions. She interned with the organizational development department, where she helped foster collaboration, coordination, and information sharing among the foundation's programs, initiatives, and departments. She helped with projects that enhance organizational culture, ensure streamlined processes, and increase transparency across the Foundation. Hajera also assisted in the scheduling and logistical aspects of major Foundation intern trips, activities, and events.

Adam Repose

Adam Repose, a senior double majoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Spanish, served as an intern and youth representative at the Earth Child Institute. Earth Child Institute (ECI) is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to the preservation of the environment through the education of children. As a UN youth representative, Adam attended UN briefings and conferences to advocate for ECI and to network with like-minded organizations. At the ECI office, he was a part of the process of creating potential partnerships with other NGOs from all over the world. He also worked on grant applications, mainly focusing on projects in Africa and Latin America, to ensure future funding and helped with budgetary matters for a water school project in Brazil and a tree planting campaign in Africa.

Kevin Sanchez

Kevin Sanchez, an International Relations and Communication major at SUNY New Paltz, interned at the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI) NGO Relations Section. DPI/ NGO is one of the major focal points of access that NGOs have into the United Nations. DPI helps its 1,300 associated NGOs, with strong information programs, gain access to and disseminate information on a range of issues in which the United Nations is involved, to enable the public to understand better the aims and objectives of the Organization.

He started his experience by assisting at the 65th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference. As an intern Kevin supported the work of the NGO Resource Center by the engaging the NGO community through information outreach. Kevin also worked closely with the Association Team within the NGO Section. He assisted NGOs in the process of their application in becoming associated with the UN. Lastly, Kevin had the opportunity to volunteer at many UN events such as illUmiNations and the 2014 UN Day Concert.

Nikki-Laren Quant

Nikki-Laren Quant, a French and political science major, interned withGirl Rising as an Engage intern. Girl Rising is a start up non-profit that uses a film they created to advocate for the global movement to give every girl an education.The Girl Rising film journeys around the globe to show that educating a girl can change the world. With the support of USAID, Girl Rising has launched the Engage Campaign in India, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Nigeria. Nikki's interests in development and education and her study abroad experience in France have led her to this position. Working with the Engage team, Nikki's projects have ranged from doing research on potential domestic NGO partnerships in Nigeria to translating French documents into English for the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Kate Boehler

Kate Boehler, an economics and French major from SUNY Cortland, interned at The Adventure Project (TAP) as an accounting/bookkeeping intern. She enjoyed working for TAP in a collective incubator, the Center for Social Innovation. Kate's experience as the student activities board treasurer on her campus led her to this internship. TAP is a start-up nonprofit designed to "add venture" to support entrepreneurs in developing countries. It brings together people determined to create jobs in developing countries and works on issues related to health, water, environment, and hunger. In 2012, TAP's effort impacted over 500,000 people around the world. Kate has been responsible for entering all donations, purchases, and bank transfers into the accounting software program each week. She assisted in creating the annual report for the organization by working on the public financial report for the organization. She met with the organization's CPA a couple of times each month to make sure that everything was accurate, and carried the overall financial records of the organization.

Monica Farrel and Gregory Blitstein

Gregory Blitstein and Monica Farrel both interned at the Foreign Policy Association, an organization with a 95-year history. The FPA aims to serve as a catalyst for developing awareness, understanding, and informed opinion on U.S. foreign policy and global issues.

Gregory, a double major in political science and Spanish from SUNY Buffalo, worked as an events department intern at the Foreign Policy Association. He assisted the president of FPA with coordinating and planning conferences, task forces, and other events held throughout the year. Task forces are shorter events designed to spread awareness of growing issues that affect the world. He helped plan a Task Force event on Climate Change and Global Conflict.

Monica was a junior international relations major when she worked at the FPA as an executive office intern. She focused on education, event planning, and social media management. The FPA publishes a yearly magazine entitled Great Decisions, which aims to educate Americans about the eight most pressing foreign policy issues of the year. The Foreign Policy Association holds various events throughout the year that are focused upon the topics of great decisions. Monica worked to design the topics of discussion for the lectures, locate venues and panelists for these events, and advertise these events to FPA members and students. Every year the FPA holds a Great Decisions Teachers Training Institute to help promote education about foreign policy in high schools across the nation. Monica was responsible for maintaining contact with the teachers of the institute and provided resources for them to educate their students.

Both Greg and Monica helped organize and participate in high profile speaker events. They have heard from such academics as Francis Fukuyama. They also invited the GEP students to participate in an event where they heard from the UN Deputy Secretary General Jan Eliasson.

Alexander Elmasri

Alexander Elmasri is a senior in international relations at SUNY New Paltz. He interned with the Program Department at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), the initiative of the Clinton Foundation that convenes global leaders to create and implement innovative solutions to the world's most pressing challenges. He helped fellows in this department develop the content for all CGI meetings, including creating the meeting schedules, format and session topics, as well as the selection and recruitment of moderators and panelists. As a program intern, he was also responsible with aiding the department with day-to-day management of all program related matters. The first activity in which he participated was the CGI annual meeting which coincides with the opening of the UN and hosts some of the world's most powerful government officials, including U.S. President Barack Obama. Alex got to meet with President Bill Clinton and daughter Chelsea Clinton as they prepared for the next year's program.

Nadine Ahrabi-Nejad

Nadine Ahrabi-Nejad, a marketing senior at SUNY New Paltz, interned at the membership department of Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). MSF is an international medical humanitarian aid organization that provides independent, impartial assistance in more than 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. As a marketing intern at MSF, Nadine worked closely with the direct marketing associate for creative and production on a variety of marketing tactics aimed at reaching donors all across the U.S. She assisted in direct mail activities, email marketing, and logistical work behind fundraising events including the LA Marathon and the New York City Marathon. She worked on tracking donor giving behavior, as well as conducting analysis of industry marketing materials and trends.

She also participated in weekly brown bag lunches at the organization where she heard from doctors returning from the field such as Ethiopia and Syria and other relevant information about the humanitarian work of the organization. Nadine conducted a comparative research project where she surveyed different MSF branches in exploring donor behavior globally.

Keith Uffer

Keith Uffer, an international relations major, interned at the United Nations Association of the USA, Southern NYS Division. The UNA-USA is an association dedicated to building understanding of the UN and supports the ideals and vital work of the UN among the American people. They do this by their education and advocacy programs which stress the importance of nations working together and the need for U.S. leadership at the UN. Keith worked on organizing and judging a video contest in which middle school students and high school students based on the "world they want." He also was involved in expanding UNA-USA's outreach over social networking sites. UNA-USA is leading the civil society consultations on the Post 2015 agenda for the Millennium Development Goals in the United States. Keith helped plan and coordinate a major consultation event where the GEP students were also invited to participate. The results of these consultations will later be shared with by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon. Keith also organized the Human Rights Day Event, which took place at the Eleanor Roosevelt library in the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Dilrupa Haque

Dilrupa Haque was a senior in international relations at SUNY New Paltz when she interned at the International Institute for Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA), a research and training center affiliated with Fordham University. The IIHA offers a professionalization opportunity through degrees for people with several years of experience in the field of humanitarian affairs. This internship was perfect for Dilrup, who wants to go into this field. She was able to hear first-hand insights into the field of humanitarian affairs. The center offers great resources for those who are in the field of humanitarian affairs to professionalize through courses designed for people who are already in the field. Dilrupa confirmed that her future lies in this field through this internship.

Ricardo A. Hernandez, Jr.

Ricardo A. Hernandez Jr. was a double major in political science and journalism when he served as a communications intern at the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), an organization dedicated to ending discrimination or abuse on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. He created multimedia for the organization using video editing software. He also wrote press releases and media advisories about upcoming projects, as well as studies and events for the organization. He monitored IGLHRC in the news and conducted research on LGBT human rights violations in selected regions. He aided in the creation of a manual to help LGBT activists in Iran. His editorial on a historic UN event was published on line. This event held at the UN with 10 foreign ministers including Secretary of State John Kerry was an unprecedented meeting to address violence and discrimination against LGBT people around the world. He helped organize and host a delegation of international activists and visitors from around the world for meetings at the UN around the Dec. 10 Human Rights day.

Christiana Nicolaou

Christiana Nicolaou was an international business major at SUNY New Paltz when she interned at the New York City Mayor's Office for International Affairs in the Division for International Business. The division aids foreign companies in establishing operations in New York City. At the mayor's office, she was able to observe companies intending to launch their businesses in one of the most competitive cities in the world and ultimately understand the obstacles and opportunities in conducting business globally. She was also responsible for keeping the international business directory and events calendar accurate and up to date. Christiana worked on a project exploring the programs initiated by the government of New York City in comparison to other globally competitive cities around the world in attracting technology related businesses.

Jennifer Vanriper

Jennifer Vanriper, a senior in international relations, interned at theHumpty Dumpty Institute as a part of the Higher Education Alliance team. The Humpty Dumpty Institute is an NGO dedicated to "putting the pieces back together." The HDI was formed after its founders traveled around the world, witnessed things falling apart in places such as post-genocide Rwanda, and decided to take action. Today, the organization runs diplomatic and large-scale humanitarian projects around the world. These include strengthening US-UN relations, removing land mines for post-conflict areas, and promoting healthcare and food security in developing nations. The Higher Education Alliance department where Jennifer worked  connects higher education institutions with the UN in order to raise awareness. Jennifer helped organize events on different campuses related to Peace and Security, Human Rights, Sustainable Development, and the Post-2015 Development Agenda. She helped put together contact information and calendars, publicity, and social media. She also helped HDI organize their speaker database.

Caitlin O'Donnell

Caitlin O'Donnell interned at the global legal program of the Center for Reproductive Rights, a global legal advocacy organization dedicated to expanding reproductive freedom for women around the world. The Center works to expand access to quality, safe, and affordable reproductive health care. As an intern, she supported the work of the global legal program's team of legal advisors, fellows, program associates, and legal assistants. Her projects ranged from doing research and fact checking on world abortion laws to creating and organizing databases for communication and outreach purposes. She was able to attend both center wide staff meetings and meetings for the Global Legal Program specifically.