Why did you choose to participate in a Brown Semester Internship Program?
I have always loved DC and wanted to experience what it would be like to live there full time post grad! Plus, living and working in the heart of the country was the perfect complement to my Political Science degree. I knew even before committing to Brown in high school that I was interested in the Brown in Washington program and I'm so glad I ended up pursuing it.

What did you like most about your internship?
I worked for an international nonprofit and it was so cool to see how they functioned on the inside and on a day-to-day level. I learned so much about the world, was exposed to different perspectives, and got to meet and speak with people doing amazing, impactful work all over the world.

How did the experience shape what you have done since or will do next?
The experience, both the physical location and my workplace, definitely gave me some clarity on what I want my work life to look like after I leave Brown! I am still unsure of what I want to do but I know that I really enjoyed working in a supportive, forward driven, female-led office and I liked living in a walkable city where I could commute anywhere I needed to go quickly and easily. I'll definitely keep these principles in mind as I move forward and decide what to do and where to be next.

How did your host city impact your overall experience?
I loved being in DC! It's one of my new favorite cities, and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to live or even just visit. There's so much to do, especially on a student budget, and the public transit is fantastic. Living right downtown exposed me to so many different opportunities that I am very grateful for. 

Why did you choose to participate in a Brown Semester Internship Program?
I chose to participate in the Open Campus program because I was striving for a type of growth -- professionally, academically, socially, and personally -- that a typical semester on campus could probably not nurture. Professionally, I wanted to gain the invaluable experience of working full-time at a tech-based company, one that prioritizes high-quality work, the development of technical abilities, and a healthy work-life balance. Academically, the Open Campus program would teach me the delicate skill of time management, balancing a full-time internship with a semester's worth of coursework. I was able to expand my social network, transforming professional relationships with my team members and fellow interns into endearing friendships I will carry forward. And finally, my personal growth was the one I was most excited for: embarking on exciting journeys in New York City, spending quality time with family, traveling to visit friends from the past, and fostering an interest in old and new hobbies.

What did you like most about your internship?
During my internship experience, I gained skills that Computer Science courses could not simply teach me. I learned the ins and outs of general open-source software tools, programming languages, container orchestration systems, and cloud infrastructures, while also broadening my knowledge on company-specific products and services. Beyond the technical, coding, debugging, and software development expertise my internship taught me, I adopted the invaluable skills of collaboration, seeking resources, asking questions, and becoming a trustworthy member of a team. Over the course of the internship, I enjoyed coming to understand the company's core business values, main priorities, and culture that drives its daily operations. Definitely, though, the most enjoyable part of my internship was the connection I felt to the members of my team. My team ate lunch together every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, having conversations about the most random things, purposely avoiding any work-related topics. My team has made me genuinely laugh and each member possessed a bit of general wisdom that I now possess as well.

How did the experience shape what you have done since or will do next?
Through this experience, I've been able to gain new experiences that I've always wanted to have for myself. Due to the flexibility I was fortunate enough to have during the semester, I was able to travel to places like the Bay area and Canada to visit some friends from the past. After the experience ended, I was able to travel abroad to Europe for a few weeks -- my first time ever in the continent. I explored over 9 cities in 4 countries, and I gained exposure to new cultures, cuisines, architectural sites, and histories. I even went paragliding in the Swiss Alps spontaneously; the decision was quite literally made half an hour before it happened. The travels I was able to embark on due to the experience were extremely enriching and fulfilling, and I'm grateful to now have these stories to tell.

How did your host city impact your overall experience?
I could not think of a better place to have had my Open Campus experience than in New York City. I had already lived in the city for a few months the summer prior, so I felt much more comfortable in the area, and did not feel rushed to achieve any "bucket list" items. There seems to always be something new to do in the city, and especially as a big foodie, always new restaurants and cafes to try. Over the semester, I had the opportunity to genuinely enjoy and explore New York City for the grand city that it is on my own time, while also enjoying the comforts of my home in Long Island.

Why did you choose to participate in a Brown Semester Internship Program?
I am passionate about human rights and journalism, and I wanted to learn how international journalism is done.

What did you like most about your internship?
I loved connecting with both of my supervisors, who used to be war correspondents and witnessed important events in history. I was deeply inspired by their experiences and the journalistic spirit they uphold.

How did the experience shape what you have done since or will do next?
It gave me more certainty to go into journalism, but I realized after this internship that I will not do journalism funded by government or in a for-profit corporate, as I discovered that nonprofit independent journalism might be my specific interest. I also realized the complicated ethical considerations of advocacy journalism, so I am also considering moving on to direct activism or the humanitarian field - maybe after I have worked as a journalist for a few years.

How did your host city impact your overall experience?
The host city, Washington D.C., is full of people who are ambitious change makers, especially in the political field. It also features many historic monuments that allowed me to know more about U.S. history and U.S. politics as an international student.

You mentioned you completed this program as an international student. Do you have any advice for other international students who might want to follow in your footsteps?
1. Pay attention to visa and work authorization requirements. Make sure you're familiar with the process of applying for CPT/OPT and the associated deadlines to avoid possible delays or legal difficulties in starting the internship. 
2. Some organizations, especially federal government organizations, tend to have complicated security background processes before the internship begins, especially for international students. Be sure to communicate with the organization about these logistics because they can take a month!
3. Don't be afraid to communicate in a foreign or unfamiliar workplace. Be open-minded and ready to adapt to American work culture. It's completely fine to ask questions when you don't understand the instructions from your supervisor - being vulnerable and proactive helps the team get to know you better. 
4. Feel free to express yourself when it comes to political/cultural/international topics related to your home country - your perspective can add to the diverse dynamic of discussion.

Why did you choose to participate in a Brown Semester Internship Program?
I wanted to take a break from Brown to ensure I made the most of it when coming back. My roommate told me about the program and I didn’t think twice! I always wanted to live in Sydney and I love surfing. Gaining internship experience for both my resume and personal development was one of the main factors.

What did you like most about your internship?
Feeling what is it to live in the real world. I learned many things about myself and practiced countless skills from cooking and cleaning to networking. How did the experience shape what you have done since or will do next?
I am now more confident in my ability to make friends and fit in. I have a greater sense of time after seeing how fast a semester can fly by, reminding me that I have to squeeze every experience to its most. I am also more appreciative of the academic opportunities and environment that Brown provides, as I now have seen that they won’t be offered again after college.

How did your host city impact your overall experience?
Being abroad during local summer was amazing. It pushed me to do more activities outside and discover Sydney. It was also a perfect environment for students, considering Sydney is very safe and full of young, healthy and sporty people. Being able to get into a ferry and go surfing after work was also one of the best things, and I wouldn’t have been able to do elsewhere.