Many of our student workers were able to spend this summer participating in various internships outside of the Hunt Institute. Students often return from these experiences with a fantastic arsenal of newly acquired skills, ideas, and perspectives. This summer, the Undergraduate Program Manager in the Institute, JuliaGrace Walker, was a Staff Intern for Ambassador E. Tony Wayne at the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. The Wilson Center, located in Washington, D.C., is a non-partisan think tank focusing on “tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to form actionable ideas for the policy community.” JuliaGrace shared the following about her internship experience:
During my internship in Washington D.C. this summer, I had the opportunity to fully immerse myself in current events, politics, and trade in regard to Mexico. I also continued to practice a higher level of Spanish by reading news articles on issues pertinent to Mexico’s domestic policy and government. I mastered condensing large, dense topics into specific, concise bullet points for presentations. I also managed and updated data for several graphs on topics such as homicide rates, border apprehensions, and the top trade partners of the U.S.
As an intern, I was in charge of helping with the logistics of our hybrid and virtual events centered around special topics regarding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). I learned about the different successes, challenges, and stakeholders involved in several USMCA chapters. I am very thankful for my newly acquired knowledge of the USMCA, Mexico’s politics, and current events.
Throughout my internship, I also gained a lot of insight on US trade relations and trade-related foreign policy. I was also fortunate to meet several Ambassadors and USAID foreign service officers who shared insights and advice on a career in the Foreign Service. Overall, this summer prepared me for future endeavors in the international affairs sector.
To read more about the Hunt Institute’s work to develop future-focused solutions to some of the world’s biggest problems, please click here. For the latest news on the Hunt Institute, follow our social media accounts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. We invite you to listen to our Podcast called Sages & Seekers. If you are considering engaging with the institute, you can donate, or sign-up for our newsletter by emailing huntinstitute@smu.edu.
