The best professional experiences don’t just teach you what to do, they show you how the world actually works. For the past three weeks, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing that firsthand as a Program Assistant at the US-Asia Institute (USAI).
What initially felt like a chance to gain professional experience quickly became an opportunity to understand something much larger: the people, communication, and coordination behind U.S.-Asia relations.
Throughout my time at USAI, I contributed to the ANB newsletter, prepared itineraries and biographies for congressional delegations, created professional social media content, and helped coordinate and attend graduation events at the Thai and Philippine Embassies. I also had the opportunity to attend a debrief of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meetings, giving me a closer look at the conversations and relationships shaping the region.
Coming from a diplomatic family, I have grown up around international relations, but USAI gave me a different perspective: the opportunity to see the work behind the relationships and to understand how organizations help connect the diplomatic communities I have known throughout my life.
I’m incredibly grateful to Anna Bunn and Mary Sue Bissell, whose mentorship made this experience possible, and to the wonderful network of people I’ve met at USAI who took the time to share their knowledge, perspectives, and stories with me.
Thank you to everyone who made these past three weeks so memorable. I’m excited to carry what I’ve learned into whatever comes next.
The story on my LinkedIn: https://lnkd.in/p/et7FC8eE