Hi everyone!
I have just finished my second week working for The American Jewish Committee’s Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs (BILLA), an initiative that develops and nurtures ties with U.S. Latinx leaders, representatives of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, and Jewish leaders in order to act on shared interests and opportunities for cooperation between the United States, Latin America and Jewish communities around the world. Through AJC, I spent the first week of my internship at Global Forum, a conference in Jerusalem which brought together world leaders and policy makers to speak about their countries’ relations with Israel and the U.S. In a sense, my first week working for BILLA was quite unconventional, but at the same time, it was a great introduction to the work AJC does and how powerful of an organization it truly is. Sitting here in DC, BILLA feels intimate and small, yet after attending the conference, I realize the strength and intensity AJC has when combining its various departments spread across the world.
I found out about AJC by chance! A high school teacher of mine had sent me a link about the organization and its work and I personally connected to its mission, so I applied. I encourage anyone interested in foreign affairs to speak to your teachers and professors! They may be aware of opportunities that would fit your career goals. I am currently working on updating briefing papers on social and political changes that have taken place within the last two years in various Latin American countries for the upcoming UN National Assembly. To properly advocate policies for different Latin American countries, BILLA must be on top of the recent political developments in the region. Being here at BILLA, I have so many goals for this summer. The office runs in Spanish, which as a Spanish major, is a dream. I therefore hope to take advantage of this environment and get more comfortable working and communicating in Spanish on a regular basis. I also hope to gain more knowledge regarding current events in Latin America. Since I intend to write my thesis on relevant topics, I hope to use this opportunity and knowledge to gain a better understand of the current political environment and changes across the continent.
Beyond everything, BILLA has a good vibe. It is welcoming (no handshakes! Only hugs) and warm and appears to want to give me, as a fellow, the best experience possible.
