Each semester, the New York and Geneva offices of the WFUNA Secretariat welcome interns from around the world, with diverse backgrounds, interests, and goals. It is important to continue nurturing the network of WFUNA interns that has developed over the years. Former interns can learn from each other, find opportunities by contacting other interns, and continue networking as their careers develop. Here are some updates from past interns:
USA, New York Office, Summer 2007
Stephanie recently graduated from Seton Hall University with a dual bachelors in Diplomacy and International Relations and Modern Languages. She is currently working at a group travel company doing outside sales and waiting for a response from the Fulbright program on her application to teach English abroad.
, France, New York Office, Fall 2008
Stephanie was the Model UN coordinator from August 2008 to February 2009. From her experience at WFUNA, she got great memories and great experiences, on a professional and a personal level; indeed, she got married and got a job at the United Nations while she was an intern! She now lives in New York with her husband and she has been working for the past 10 month at the Journal of the UN. She is greatful to WFUNA for giving her an amazing professional experience, and to her former WFUNA colleagues for having been supportive in her dreams!
Switzerland, Geneva Office, Fall 2008
Monika has been continuing her studies in History, Arabic and International Law in Zurich. In April 2009, she organised a study trip to Syria for IFIL (Initiative for Intercultural Learning: www.ifil.ch). She finished her master's thesis on Syrian history textbooks and the question of national identity in September 2009 and is now preparing for her final examinations in order to graduate by the end of March 2010.
, UK, Geneva Office, Fall 2009
Amy returned to her studies after her WFUNA internship and will be graduating from the University of Sussex with a BA in International Relations and Development Studies. After graduation she plans to travel Latin America teaching English and intends on driving down the Pan-American highway whilst there. She plans to find some internships and volunteering positions in Latin America, too. After seeing the world for a bit, she will probably do a Masters in Political Economy of Development.
, Ghana, Geneva Office, Spring 2009
Ruby was an intern at the Geneva Office responsible for coordinating UNA programs in Africa from January to April 2009. With the end of the internship she has spent time trying to look for a job but has not been successful. Currently, Ruby is at home, reading, and taking lessons to improve her French.
Spain, New York Office, Fall 2006/ Spring 2007
After interning at WFUNA, Pol completed his Master's in International Relations at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona where he has also lectured International Relations in the BA in journalism. He is now working for the Office for the Promotion of Peace and Human Rights of the Catalan Government. He recently spent 3 months as an Associate Collaborator with the United Nations System Staff College, in Turin.
Hungary, New York Office, Fall 2008
Since his internship at WFUNA, Krisztian received his BA degree in international relations at Corvinus Univeristy of Budapest. Freelancing journalist, covering articles on Cuba, Spain and the US, thus was the organizer of the second Euro-Mediterranean Academy for Young Journalists in Amsterdam in 2009. Currently he studies political science in Granada, Spain till March when he goes back to Hungary to finish his studies and to get a masters degree.
, USA, New York Office, Summer 2007
After graduating from Seton Hall University, Eli travelled to Mauritania, West Africa where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer. He worked primarily at an Islamic Micro-finance bank and taught computer courses at the local high school. Eli recently moved to Monterey, CA to attend the Monterey Institute of International Studies. There, he will pursue a Masters degree in International Policy Studies with a specialization in conflict resolution.
, Venezuela, New York Office, Spring 2009
Omar was the Human Rights Coordinator from January to April 2009, in the NY Office. After returning to his country, Venezuela, he reassumed his classes as Professor of International Public Law at the Andrés Bello Catholic University. In July, he was selected by UNITAR to become part of the first Course on International Law, developed completely in Spanish. It was held in the city of Lima, Peru. Since October 2009, Omar is living in Spain while studying a Master in Cooperation for Development, with Specialization in International Humanitarian Aid, at Jaume I University. In his free time, he's participating in a human rights project at the local branch of the Spanish Red Cross and is serving from the distance, as Faculty Advisor for a group of Venezuelan students who participate in the Harvard National Model UN.
, USA, New York Office, Summer 2006
After completing an internship at WFUNA in the summer of 2006, Saša Hezir graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in May 2007 with a B.A. in International Relations. Later that year, she began working at the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit that consults primarily United States government partners on criminal justice issues. In 2009, she left Vera to work for the United Kingdom Mission to the UN in its Development and Human Rights Section.
, Australia, New York Office, Summer 2009
Following her summer internship at WFUNA in 2009 as Climate Change Coordinator, Alexandra was recruited by the UN to work for the Department of General Assembly. As Coordinator of the ICT Resource Centre for member states, in the Office of the Under Secretary General, she is the first point of contact for delegates seeking IT related support. Alexandra also helped facilitate bilateral meetings between foreign ministers and heads of state during the General Assembly's 64th Session high level debate. She will be commencing her Masters of Business Administration online through Colorado Technical University in February 2010, specializing in Environmental and Social Sustainability.
, China, Geneva Office, Fall 2008
WANG Kan, a former WFUNA intern in the Human Rights and Millennium Development Goals Program, went back to China after his internship. He received his bachelor degree from Jilin University in June, 2009. He is right now a graduate student pursuing an M.A. degree in East Asian Studies at Stanford University.
After her WFUNA experience centered on UN Reform and the UN Global Compact, Amy graduated from the NYU Stern School of Business with a degree in Marketing and International Business in 2008. She is currently working as a search engine marketer at Razorfish, a digital media marketing agency based in New York City.
, USA, New York Office, Summer 2009
Since completing his internship as Disarmament Coordinator in October 2009, David returned to Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs where he studies International Security Policy. In December, David had the opportunity to attend the 2nd Review Conference on the Land Mine Convention in Cartagena, Colombia as a member of the Youth Leaders Forum. David will graduate in May, 2010 with a master's degree in International Affairs.
, Germany, New York Office, Summer/ Fall 2006
Anne obtained her BA in British and American Studies from Bielefeld University in 2007 and is about to graduate with an MA in Political Science from Western Washington University, where she has also held positions as Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant. In the summer of 2008 she completed an internship in the Office of the German-American Coordinator at the German Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Since interning at WFUNA, Anne has developed an academic interest in ethnic conflict: her thesis addresses German foreign policy towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and she will start a second postgraduate program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of St Andrews in Scotland in September 2010.
Germany, New York Office, Spring/ Summer 2009
Markus left WFUNA on 28 August 2009. Since then he has begun pursuing his Master Degree in Public Policy at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin. Further, he is still actively engaged within the WFUNA community as he got elected into the WFUNA-Youth Coordinating Committee, in which he will serve until 2012.
, Republic of Korea/ Sweden, New York Office, Summer 2007
While at WFUNA, Beatrice served as Communications Associate for the Millennium Development Goals and assisted with a variety of large projects and fundraisers. She is currently completing her final semester at NYU School of Law, and is planning to pursue a career in international human rights law with a focus on business and human rights. Last summer, she worked at Foley Hoag, LLP, a law firm specializing in public international law and corporate social responsibility, and EarthRights International, where she participated in litigating a corporate accountability case against Shell Oil for human rights abuses in Nigeria. Beatrice spent her first summer in law school as an intern in the Trade and Investment Division of the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.
, Italy, New York Office, Fall 2008/ Spring 2009
After having been an active member of the Italian UNYA for several years, Claudia interned as a Youth Coordinator at the WFUNA HQs in NYC for 6 months participating in several youth related events at the UN and representing WFUNA at the Commission for Social Development and at the Alliance of Civilization Meeting in Istanbul. At the end of her internship, Claudia started working for BluMail.org, a make a difference NGO and email portal, as a Youth Outreach Coordinator. Since then, she has created contacts and fostered partnerships with a variety of NGOs in the UN system and US institutions, and encouraged the use of ICT for development among youth groups around the world.
, Sweden, New York Office, Summer 2006
During her time at WFUNA, Anna worked on a global essay competition on Weapons of Mass Destruction as well as covered the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Small Arms conference. Since then, she completed two more internships, one with the Global Policy Programs department at UNA-USA, and one with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In 2008, Anna received her M.A. and B.S. from the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University. Currently, Anna is working as a Policy Analyst with the Institute for Children and Poverty (ICP) in New York City.
, Spain, Geneva Office, Summer 2009
Robert is on his last semester at Webster University Geneva, hoping to graduate in May with a degree in International Relations and Minors in Computer Science and French. He is also applying for Masters programs. Lastly, Robert is currently doing an internship with UNHCR in its IT department.
Latvia, New York Office, Summer 2007
Juris is getting close to finishing a PhD in international relations at the University of Delaware. He is working on a doctoral dissertation about Muslim migrant-background community political activism in London, UK, and Detroit/Dearborn, MI, USA. Recently, he spent several weeks in London and Detroit making interviews for his research.
 , Netherlands, New York Office, Fall/Winter 2008-2009
Mariëlle's internship at WFUNA ended in February after which she returned to the Netherlands to write her thesis on redefining the global community. In september 2009 she obtained her Master's degree in European Policy and after taking some time off to relax and reflect she took on two voluntary positions: one for Blumail.org as the Dutch Youth Coordinator for Blu ICTDs and one in the activity commission of the Dutch UNA. In February 2010 she also got accepted in a two-year Management Trainee Program for The Centre of Expertise (HEC) in The Netherlands, an independent foundation concerned with issues relating to ICT and management in the public sector. Her specific focus lies on the area of security. Mariëlle is very grateful to have been given the opportunity to do an internship at WFUNA and will treasure the memories forever!!
, USA, New York Office, Summer 2008
Luke graduated from Seton Hall University in May of 2009 with a degree in Diplomacy and International Relations and a minor in the French language. He immediately landed a job as a Management Trainee with Enterprise Holdings whom he has been with since. He has recently been accepted into a program to teach English in Thailand with the Council on International Educational Exchange for the Thai academic year beginning in May 2010. He leaves for Bangkok 6 May 2010.
, China, New York Office, Summer/ Fall 2006-2007
Junmian Sun graduated from the M.A. program in Graphic Communications Management and Technology at New York University in December 2009 and is working at MediaPost Communications on web user experience and trade conferences/events.
Geneva Office, Spring 2008
Since Vânya left WFUNA in 2008, she started a masters in Development Studies in Geneva, at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. During her graduate school, she enhanced significantly her professional background, by undertaking other internships with UN-agencies, such as UNCTAD and UNHCR. Currently, she is in Mozambique working with WFP's "Food for Education" program and also writing her master thesis.
, New Zealand, New York Office, Spring 2008
Since completing his Disarmament Coordinator internship in the Spring of 2008, Marcus returned to the southern hemisphere to take up a position as Firearm Policy Researcher for a gun control organization based at the University of Sydney: GunPolicy.org. Marcus, now based in London, continues his GunPolicy research, as well as some Small Arms consultancy work for Transparency International and Oxfam.
, USA, New York Office, Summer 2008
Since leaving WFUNA Kelli has graduated from Emory University with a BA in Visual Arts/Art History and minor studies in Global Health. After taking an eye-opening class on Birth and Global Health she was inspired to enter the field of nurse obstetrics/midwifery. She is currently living in Miami, FL and working toward a degree in an accelerated nursing program. After becoming a registered nurse she would like to pursue a double masters in nursing and public health.
 , USA, New York Office, Summer 2007
During her internship at WFUNA, Stephanie worked on the "UNA in Every Member State Campaign", as well as assisting with organizing an event for World Environment Day 2007. Stephanie is now a senior at the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, and this summer she will be studying abroad in Austria with the Sommerhochschule of the University of Vienna.
 , USA, New York Office, Summer 2007
Since his internship at WFUNA working on disarmament issues, Eli has been working as a research associate with the Center for Terrorism and Intelligence Studies, where he assists in the collection of data for their online global terrorism database. In May 2008, Eli completed his Bacehlor of Science at the Whitehead School of Diplomacy at Seton Hall University. While at Seton Hall Eli developed a taste for fine dining (such as Ethiopian food), sophisticated women, classical music, the arts, and competitive intramural basketball, (he played center position for the People's Champs).
Eli will be travelling to Mauritania with the Peace Corps on June 18th 2008, where he will serve for two years as a small enterprise development agent. He hopes to improve his french and become fluent in Arabic. He will be working with a counterpart in the Mauritanian government on issues related to economic and social development, such as micro finance. Upon return Eli plans to continue his education at graduate school somewhere in the U.S. where he plans to study international development.
, Philippines, New York Office, Autumn 2006-Spring 2007
During her stay at the New York office, April worked as a program coordinator for several of the World Federation's initiatives including the Global Essay Competition on Peace and Disarmament. She returned to Manila after her internship and worked on the Microfinance program of the Southeast Asia Interdisciplinary Development Institute. In September, she will begin graduate studies in International Cooperation and Urban Development at the Technische Universität Darmstadt in Germany and at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya in Spain.
, Germany, New York Office, Summer 2006
Anne, who worked on communications and researched the issue of international migration at WFUNA, returned to Germany after her internship to finish her Bachelor of Arts degree in British and American Studies at Bielefeld University. Throughout the academic year she volunteered as ISEP Ambassador to provide information and assistance to students who are interested in studying in the U.S. She is currently completing her first year of Graduate school at Western Washington University, where she also works as a graduate teaching assistant. "It's been a great, although sometimes confusing, experience". This summer, Anne will be interning with the German Foreign Office in Berlin, in the Office of the German-American Coordinator. And what's next? A PhD perhaps?
, Republic of Korea/Sweden, New York Office, Summer 2007
Beatrice focused on the Millennium Development Goals and assisted with organizing a World Environment Day event during her internship at WFUNA. She recently finished her first year at NYU School of Law and is spending the summer as an intern in the Trade and Investment Division at the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific in Bangkok, Thailand.
 , Uganda, New York Office, Summer- Fall 2006
While with WFUNA, Prossy worked as the Youth Programme Coordinator. In addition, she researched and developed an entrepreneurship project for women in East Africa in consultation with International Labor Organization. The project was a contribution to the efforts of WFUNA to enhance women’s participation in the implementation of the MDGs. Presently, Prossy is finishing an MA in Gender and Peace Building at the United Nations University for Peace in Costa Rica where she is focusing on Gender Mainstreaming in Field Operations and Humanitarian Assistance. After graduation, Prossy hopes to work for the United Nations and the wider International Humanitarian community to contribute to current peace building initiatives.
 , Latvia, New York Office, Summer 2007
Juris worked on researching the proposed UN Emergency Peace Service as well as assisting with communications during his internship with WFUNA. He is currently finishing his 3rd year at the University of Delaware International Relations graduate program. Juris is working on a dissertation proposal on migration and security and studying French. He will spend this summer in Newark, DE, advising incoming freshmen, working on his dissertation proposal and trying to keep himself entertained as well. The photo is from an International Studies Association General Meeting in San Francisco where Juris presented a poster in March 2008.
, Sweden, Summer 2006
During her time at WFUNA, Anna worked on a global essay competition on Weapons of Mass Destruction as well as covered the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Small Arms conference. Since then, Anna completed another internship in the Global Policy Programs department at UNA-USA, and is now finishing an internship with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. In May, Anna received her B.S. from the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall, where she will be completing her M.A. in December,2008.
, China, New York Office, Autumn 2006 - Summer 2007
During her internship at WFUNA, amongst many other things, Junmian was the Communications Associate, working on updating the website, designing promotional materials, assiting with WFUNA's first video, and contributing to the newsletter, UN Connections. Junmian is now working towards her Masters Degree at New York University. This summer she will be interning with Dalim and HP at the Drupa Expo in Dusseldorf, Germany. When she returns to New York she will begin her full-time job at MediaPost Communications.
 , USA, New York Office, Spring 2006
Josh was the Youth Program Coordinator during his internship at WFUNA, and had his first all-soy BBQ when he attended a youth retreat in the first week of his internship. A few weeks after completing his internship, he graduated with a Master of Arts from the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University. Josh is currently serving as an Administrative Assistant at the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwich, CT and enjoying the area and experience.
, Israel, Autumn 2007 - Spring 2008
During her time at WFUNA, Michal worked on human rights and women's issues. After her internship, she applied for many Graduate programs, got accepted to all her top choices, and is now looking forward to starting her Masters Degree at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in September. This summer Michal will be interning at the Jacob Blaustein Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights in New York.
Are you a former intern? We would like to hear from you! Please send your update and a photo to: molnar@wfuna.org
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