SIA students find summer work all over the world

Whether they were working at foreign embassies, helping produce news stories on pressing global issues, or exploring potential new careers with international companies, students at the Penn State School of International Affairs spent their summers making a difference across the world. Here are just some of the experiences of our students this summer:

SIA student goes above and beyond at U.S. Embassy in Berlin

When U.S. Army Captain Jason Isgrigg began his internship at the United States Embassy in Berlin this summer, he was asked to go above and beyond the duties of their standard interns.

“Because of my experience level, they didn’t employ me as a traditional intern,” the Army intelligence officer said. “They treated me as a junior to mid-grade foreign service officer."

SIA student broadens horizons at international company

Shuofei Zhao spent his summer in his native China, where he was able to leverage both his undergraduate work in communications and his studies at the Penn State School of International Affairs in new and interesting ways while working with Bosch Thermotechnology.

“This was a totally new experience for me, and it helped me understand how firms and corporations work on a global scale and how they conduct business internationally,” Zhao said.

State Department internship builds on student’s SIA studies

Jose Garcia may be focusing on international security for his degree at the School of International Affairs, but he became an expert on everything from passport surges to parental abductions during his 2016 summer internship with the State Department Bureau of Legislative Affairs in Washington, D.C.

“Once I started at the State Department, it all clicked that everything I’d be learning and practicing in SIA was directly applicable to my career,” Garcia said.

SIA student works toward greater gender equality in Argentina

Jessica Bagwell has always had an interest in civil rights and humanitarian causes, and this summer she was able to put those interests to work while gaining hands-on experience researching gender inequality in Argentina.

“I think it’s very important to discuss and research, and I hope my work this summer will help the Argentinian government make informed choices about how to best address the gender gap.”

SIA prepares student to become international reporter

Biyun Song joined the international staff of the Chinese state-affiliated CCTV in Washington, D.C., where she worked behind the scenes on the politically focused program “The Heat.” There, she honed her technical skills through shooting and editing video, as well as her understanding of international affairs through researching global issues, pitching story ideas, and writing interview questions for guests from across the world.

“I chose to come to the School of International Affairs to learn more about international relations, affairs, and economics,” Song said. “I’ve learned a great deal, which helped me a lot during my internship this summer at CCTV America.”