U.S. Embassy bids farewell to summer interns
The U.S. Embassy bids farewell to its five summer interns as the students return to their universities for the Fall semester. Whenever possible, U.S. Embassies around the world provide internships for American college students. Although most of the internships are unpaid, the interns gain valuable work experience and have the opportunity to work in a foreign country. Interns must pay their own travel costs to get to the country they are assigned to but are given the chance to learn new languages and do things they would never get to do in the United States.
Aron Liptak, who interned for the Public Affairs Section, lectured on the U.S. Constitution, organized an American Corner opening, worked with University Partnership programs that link American universities with Georgian institutions, celebrated Ernest Hemingway's birthday by participating in a fishing competition organized by the Georgians, attended press conferences, and much, much more.
This summer the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi had a total of five summer interns. Aron Sommers, another Public Affairs intern, lectured on baseball and had his first helicopter ride accompanying the Ambassador to the flood-damaged region of Svaneti.
Alison Hannah, a Political/Economics intern, served as control officer for the visit of the U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE, Mr. Stephen Minikes, and accompanied him on his visit to the archeological dig at Dmanisi.
Elina Sarkisova, interned for the Regional Security Officer, and traveled to several regional cities to advance possible Ambassadorial visits.
Jamie Kosmar worked in the Political/Economics section as a summer intern and was able to attend key meetings with Georgian government officials and develop a portfolio of different projects she was responsible for.
The U.S. Embassy depends on these capable students to fill gaps left by staff who are on summer vacations or transferring to different posts. All of the five interns who served this summer will be missed, not just by the Embassy staff, but by the friends they've made in the Georgian community.
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