State Department UCDC Internship: Great Preparation for a Career in International Relations

by Spencer Erickson

I participated in the UCDC program in Summer 2005. My internship was at the State Department [truncate article for index here] in the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau in the International Visitors Leadership Program. Our office coordinated visits to DC and the rest of the United States with prominent leaders, politicians, lawyers, educators, and other professionals from countries in the Western Hemisphere. Our organization's goal was to foster connections between the visitors and their counterparts in America so that they could learn from one another and change or improve their methods in their home countries.

Every week, I would go with my program officer to welcome a new group and explain their program itinerary for DC and the rest of the cities they would be visiting during their stay in America. One week I typed the cable for a program called "Arts and Education: Agents for Social Change" and then met with the visitors and discussed their itinerary. This particular group of people involved in arts and education from countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Argentina visited DC, Portland, Oregon, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and New York to view plays and see how the arts and education systems work in the United States. I also scheduled meetings and tours with the visitors, which took me to places like the Justice Department and the Supreme Court.

Through my internship, I've met many people from other UC campuses and have learned so much more about U.S. government and history than if I'd stayed in Santa Barbara for the summer to study. My boss at my internship became my mentor and my friend. I also collected business cards from people whom I hope to contact again someday. Also, I got to know DC well and was able to make the most of my experience by going to museums and government buildings, attending speeches on Capitol Hill, and meeting our Senators.

Because of my UCDC experience, I now know that I want a career in international relations. I'm currently studying in Madrid, Spain and would like to use Spanish in my career somehow. I'd like to continue my studies in grad school and perhaps take the foreign service exam as well. Either way, I know that some day I'd like to return to work in Washington, DC.

Spencer Erickson is a junior communication major from Chico. He is currently studying in Spain through EAP. He hopes to attend graduate school and study either law or political science. He also wants to return to Washington, DC one day, possibly to work for the State Department.

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