Elliott School Graduate Student Services

In Fall 2022, while studying abroad at the National Chengchi University (NCCU) in Taiwan, Jarrett Horne interned with Panl, a Singaporean consulting firm focused on social impact projects. He wanted to share the following advice with students interested in interning abroad.

How did you find the internship you did with the Freeman Foundation Grant?

Hey everyone! I found my internship with Panl, a Singaporean international development company through a previous employer and a mentor after doing a good amount of networking and notifying them that I was going abroad to Taiwan. I did have about 6 months of previous internship experience in international development, but I think my biggest draw was that I was fully offering my help for the time I was abroad for free (it usually helps)! What the Freeman grant will pay is far more than you'd earn at almost any internship salary over several months, so you have a big advantage in that regard. 

What skills did you develop through this opportunity? How did this opportunity benefit your goals?

Being based in Singapore, the company was staffed by from people all around Southeast Asia. My time in Taiwan was my first time living in Asia as a whole, so being at Panl only helped bolster that experience of working in a different culture which is useful to any student in international affairs. Additionally, I got greater experience using tools common to the international development scene like Egnyte. 

What advice do you have for those looking for an internship overseas? 

My biggest advice again would be to utilize your unique status when looking for internships. I would have cancelled going abroad if I had not gotten the Freeman Grant and others, so when I was researching positions I was honest with those I talked to that I would be able to work for them for free if I got Freeman, but would have to cancel my time abroad and the internship if I did not. 

What got me the job in the end was the fact that I could offer my work for free, and that in my interviews I was able to talk about what I had learned in my 6 months of interning at another international development firm. I was lucky to have that prior experience, but also I am quite sure you can find a number of companies willing to take some free help from an Elliott student.  

Caitlin Mittrick, a rising 2nd-year graduate student in the International Development Studies program, currently serves as a Peace Fellow with the Advocacy Project in Nairobi, Kenya. As a Peace Fellow, Caitlin is working with AP's partner Shield of Faith. She supports two projects, one focused on embroidery and sewing in Kangemi, Nairobi, and another focused on composting and organic gardening in Kibera, Nairobi. She frequently blogs about her fellowship to highlight her and her colleagues' work.

She applied and received an International Internship Grant to help fund her fellowship. On June 16, 2023, Caitlin took over GSS's Instagram account to give us a peek into her life and work in Kenya through these stories.

GSS takes on the Big Apple 6/4-6/6

Apply to participate in the Elliott School New York City Career Trek Summer 2023, organized by The Office of Graduate Student Services (GSS). Applications open 04/13/23 - 04/30/23.

Eligibility for Participation: current graduate students in good academic standing and alumni who have graduated in the last 6 months. Students will be required to:
Participate in a virtual interview scheduled 5/4 - 5/5.
Attend the a hybrid orientation session before the trip, scheduled on Thursday, May 25 at 12:00 p.m. Zoom link and location will be shared later on. 

The Program: a dynamic environment for networking and career exploration with the Elliott alumni community. GSS will host visits to 6-8 employers around New York City. A full agenda will be provided ahead of schedule. 

The Timing: Students will be expected to check in Sunday, June 4th and will depart NYC Tuesday, June 6th.

The Costs: GSS will fund travel to/from/around NYC, hotel lodging, and breakfast on Monday, and Tuesday. Attendees will be responsible for their own lunch, dinner and personal expenses.

Applications open TODAY and close on Sunday, April 30, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.
Questions? Please contact us at esiagss@gwu.edu or (202) 994-3788. 

As part of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Elliott School and NATO's Allied Command Transformation (ACT) in Norfolk, Virginia, the Elliott School is the only academic institution nationwide entitled to nominate a graduate student who will be guaranteed a prestigious internship at ACT. We have now launched our internal selection process for 2024 ACT internships.   

Interns will contribute to ACT's initiatives in leading the transformation of the NATO Alliance, by helping member states and partners improve their military effectiveness and interoperability through a combination of new concepts, capabilities and doctrines reflecting advanced research, strategic foresight and technological innovations. 

More information on ACT's internship program can be found at https://www.act.nato.int/career-opportunities/internship-programme

This paid internship is open to graduate students aged 21 and above, who are nationals of a NATO member state. All internship placements will be for a six-month period, with start dates to be determined individually. 

Interested students should email a CV to Prof. Erwan Lagadec at elagadec@gwu.edu by 1 April 2023. 

Elizabeth Lusk is unavailable for drop-in hours today, Wednesday, Nov. 9. However, please contact the GSS office at 202-994-3788 with any urgent questions and you will be connected with an advisor!

Elizabeth Lusk's drop-in hours for Wednesday, September 28, 12:00-1:300 p.m. have been canceled due to unforeseen circumstances. Please contact our office at 202-994-3788 with any urgent questions!

Sarah's drop-in hours for Tuesday, September 27, 12:00-1:300 p.m. will be available by Zoom or phone only. No in-person option will be available this week.

Academic Advising Drop-in Hours with Elizabeth Lusk are cancelled for today for an office-wide professional development workshop. Please feel free to schedule an appointment with Elizabeth or email your questions, or attend drop-ins tomorrow, Sept 22!

On Wednesday, April 13, Sarah Denes' Academic Advising Drop-In Hours will be from 12:00-1:30 pm virtually or over the phone.

On Friday, April 15, Josh Lissauer's Career Development Drop-In Hours are cancelled.

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

On Monday, March 28, Meg Wurm's Career and Academic Advising Drop-In Hours will be held virtually or over the phone. She will not be holding in-person drop-ins.