By Meriem Hamioui ’25
Last summer, I had the privilege of interning at the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Task Force on Lebanon, where I acquired valuable experience in the fields of policy and diplomacy. In these roles, I developed a deeper understanding of U.S. foreign policy and refined my professional skills as I continue to work towards a career in diplomacy and international relations.
I worked as a trade policy intern within the Blavatnik Program for Trade Policy Studies at CFR. I monitored global trade news, conducted research and drafted white papers analyzing various aspects of trade that were relayed to multiple high-level decision-makers and industry leaders through daily newsletters. In this role, I had an opportunity to experience the delicate intricacies of global trade negotiations, especially between the U.S. and China. I learned a lot about how trade agreements can be both tools of diplomacy and friction points in international relations.
Much of my CFR work involved researching the World Trade Organization agriculture trade negotiations, a subject that has long pitted developed and developing nations against each other. Led by trade scholar Inu Manak, I delved into the structural difficulties that have long prevented these talks from moving forward, and made developing countries an afterthought in its discourse. This analysis included extensive literature underlining the implications of these negotiations on global trade systems and developing economies which I synthesized in literature reviews and memos.
During my internship with the American Task Force on Lebanon, I gained a deeper understanding of the political and humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon. As an administrative and research intern, I produced ATFL’s daily newsletter on Lebanon to keep stakeholders informed about daily political, social and economic developments — especially crucial given Lebanon’s ongoing socio-economic crisis and political instability.
This experience challenged me to improve my ability to analyze large amounts of data and develop meaningful insights. One of the highlights of my summer was co-authoring an op-ed with former U.S. Ambassador to Morocco Ed Gabriel about the dynamic leadership of King Mohammed VI and Morocco’s development. This experience not only allowed me to actively contribute to important public discussions, but also provided me with valuable practice in writing and conducting research.
My internships were supplemented by the Eisenhower Institute’s Washington Summer Fellowship, a 10-week program aimed at introducing students to policy and leadership. We attended weekly seminars where we learned from experts in foreign policy, national security and economic development. These seminars were crucial to understanding the decision-making process at the highest levels of government and allowed me to connect my internship experiences to broader policy issues.
The fellowship also incorporated site visits to important historical and political locations in Washington, D.C. During these tours, I developed a greater appreciation for the cultural history of the city and also had a first-hand look at the institutions that influence policy-making in America.
We toured the Capitol and visited think tanks — each reinforcing the idea that understanding what happens in Washington is vital for navigating global politics. One of the best parts of the fellowship was receiving one-on-one career coaching, which allowed me to think more deeply about my choices and how to steer my career toward future success. The guidance offered by Eisenhower Institute through enriching seminars provided me with the skills to deal with the complexities of international relations, diplomacy and even my own personal finances.
Looking back on my summer, I have a deep appreciation for the work of these valuable organizations and individuals, and I am truly thankful to be given the chance to learn from them. I was privileged to see how U.S. foreign policy functions, as we tackled trade diplomacy or humanitarian issues in Lebanon simultaneously throughout my work at CFR and ATFL. This experience reaffirmed my commitment to a future in diplomacy and equipped me with the tools and knowledge necessary to contribute constructively to global policy deliberation.
I am truly excited for the next steps, whether it be more internships, research experiences or even projects I worked on that are purely academic. This summer in Washington, D.C. has been a pivotal chapter of my professional journey, and I am looking forward to the path that lies before me.
