The following are testimonials written by International Affairs Fellowship alumni.

Class of 2023 Testimonials

Julia Buckner The Annenberg Fellowship was an incredible opportunity that provided me with not only supplemental classes in addition to my State Department Internship, but also an Ambassador Mentor and Peer Mentor who shared their experiences in government work. During individual meetings with my Ambassador Mentor, he provided me with invaluable career advice while discussing potential future career paths with me. In addition, he showed me a chart explaining all the organizations and branches that are connected to international relations, allowing me to get a bird's-eye view of alternative careers. My Ambassador Mentor is one of the best parts of the program. He is very supportive and I look forward to his advice and guidance in the years to come. The supplemental classes provided me with an understand of numerous issues that are addressed in the various branches of government as well as how these issues are addressed. Overall, the Annenberg Fellowship was a one-of-a-kind experience for which I am deeply grateful. Claire Chang The CAA Annenberg Fellowship enriched my Department of State internship this summer and deepened my knowledge of diplomacy. In the company of my fellow fellows, I participated in weekly classes at the Insitute of World Politics, during which we learned from professors with backgrounds in the military, the intelligence community, politics, and diplomacy. Through our mentorship with ambassadors and peer mentors, I grew to understand the interconnectivity of the federal agencies and the honor of serving our country. Fellows were able to bond with ambassadors and peer mentors through the colorful events CAA hosts--from Jeffersonian dinners to baseball games, we got to connect with ambassadors and enjoy DC. From the life lessons my ambassador imparted to me to the friendships the fellows have built with one another, I am excited to take on the next chapter of my life armed with the growth I have experienced as a part of the CAA Annenberg Fellowship. Benjamin Crabb The CAA Fellowship was a critical component of my great experience residing in the capital for my internship with the Department of State. The ambassador mentors were kind and dedicated, our handlers were constantly impressive in their drive to ensure we had everything we needed, and the courses we underwent were informative and thoughtful. It is no exaggeration to say that my time was deeply enhanced by my participation in the program. I leave the fellowship with nothing but gratitude towards my fellows, my ambassador mentors, and other CAA staff who spent every day trying to look out for our best interests. Amanda Drake My fellowship with the Annenberg Program was nothing short of amazing. Throughout the fellowship, the other Fellows and I were introduced to many different career paths in Washington, by distinguished professionals who are exceptionally seasoned in their respective fields. Combined with my amazing internship at the Department of State, this experience made for the most productive, growth-filled summer I’ve ever had. I am confident that the knowledge I gained, both from the lectures and from my mentor and peer alumna, will play a significant role in my professional career. I am excited to remain a part of this group going forward and to continue utilizing the relationships and network I built in the future. Ava Klink The Annenberg Summer Fellowship was truly one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Our weekly lectures on the elements of statecraft introduced me to an entirely new way of thinking about international affairs and decision making. Instead of discussing issues in a theoretical, academic sense, we dove into the realities of international affairs through the eyes of experienced practitioners. The fellowship lectures helped me see the issues I was working on in my internship a whole new way. My favorite parts of the fellowship were the events and activities with our ambassador and peer mentors. I was surprised by how eager all the mentors were to get to know us personally and support us professionally. They offered unparalleled insight into what it is like to be a professional in Washington D.C. and gave me a clearer sense of what opportunities I want to pursue after graduation. I am sincerely grateful for the time and effort that went into providing us with this experience, and I look forward to staying involved with CAA in the future! Charlotte Messaris My experience as an Annenberg fellow was extremely enriching, formative, and fun. With a special focus on the instruments of statecraft, this fellowship gave me, a student of languages and linguistics, the opportunity to broaden my education further into international affairs. Even after a full day of work, I found the coursework to be delightfully diverse, engaging, and thought-provoking. Beyond the classroom, I especially enjoyed learning from my mentor, Ambassador Thomas L. Siebert, and my peer mentor, Ms. Ellen Beahm. Together, the mentorship and educational opportunities of the Annenberg Fellowship beautifully supplemented my internship at State and further inspired me to pursue a career in public diplomacy.