Interns are an integral part of the SDDC team, and we are so grateful to be surrounded by such an inquisitive, thoughtful, and dedicated cohort of citizen diplomats! We would like to officially introduce our Fall 2023 cohort of interns – please do say hello if you see them around!
Interested in joining our team as an intern? Our next round of internships will commence March 2024. Submit your resume to internship@sandiegodiplomacy.org
Thank you to all of our interns, current and past!
Anthony Davis-Youngblood
Anthony holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a minor in Global Studies from California State University San Marcos. Anthony spent most of his early adult life enamored by International Affairs because of his cultural experiences while abroad in Europe. This travel experience led him to seek higher education. Anthony is currently in the final semester of his Master’s Degree in Political Science at San Diego State University. Becoming an intern at the SDDC has been a massive leap in Anthony’s career as he seeks to gain further involvement with international affairs and diplomacy.
Hassan Walukonde
Born and raised in Uganda, Hassan is a candidate for a Master’s Degree in Public Diplomacy at the University of Southern California where he is also serving as a Director of Events at the Society of Public Diplomats as well as a Public Diplomacy Program Graduate Student Government Representative. He previously worked for the Future We Want Model United Nations as a Conference organizer as well as a Restoring Family Links Caseworker for the American Red Cross. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with an emphasis in Global Politics from California State University, Los Angeles. Hassan is enthusiastic about his new role as a Development Intern at the San Diego Diplomacy Council.
Seiki Kumagai
Seiki is an international student from Japan who has been studying in the United States for the past four years. Currently enrolled at San Diego State University, he is majoring in International Business with a specialized focus on international relations and global finance. Through the blending of his academic pursuits and internship at the San Diego Diplomacy Council, Seiki aims to develop a well-rounded skill set that equips him for a successful future in international business and diplomacy. He loves sports and he is a member of the San Diego Japanese baseball team.
Mery Kilic Aslan
Program Intern
Hailing from Argentina, Mery is excited about joining the San Diego Diplomacy Council as a program intern. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the Catholic University of Cordoba. Diversity, inclusion, and climate action make her tick. She is passionate about making the world a better place, and so over the last couple of years, she has been part of an NGO that supports gender equality as a Board member, designing and managing social projects and contributing to the creation of community.
Brandon Lopez
Hey, I’m Brandon. I am a Communications student at SDSU originally from Sacramento. When I’m not immersed in my studies, I’m strumming my guitar, taking my beloved dog to the beach, or cherishing moments with my family back home. Passionate about both music and meaningful connections, I’m excited to see where my journey in Communications will lead me while embracing life’s simple joys.
Thomas J Oliver
Thomas holds a Bachelor’s Degree in international studies with a focus in Political Science and a minor in Human Rights. They have previous experience as an advocate for UC San Diego around San Diego and on Capitol Hill. During this time, Thomas volunteered with public health programs and diversity groups. There, they learned the power of grassroots advocacy. Thomas is a current MA Peace and Justice student at the Kroc School of Peace and Justice. They are interested in gender and LGBTQ+ issues, conflict management, program evaluation, and human rights.
Namie Yazaki
Namie is a program intern from Japan, who recently graduated from the University of San Diego (USD) with a Master’s Degree in International Relations. During her undergraduate program in Japan, she had a chance to study in France for one year, which allowed her to study French and explore some countries. She is also half-Chinese, and this background made her interested in Asian politics. Namie wrote a graduate thesis about China’s diplomatic relations with Western countries, using Australia and New Zealand as case studies.
Connor Moore
Connor is a senior at San Diego State University majoring in International Business with a marketing emphasis and a minor in Chinese. Originally from Colorado, I’m exploring the international business world for the first time, eager to make a global impact.
Hassan Kahlil
Hello everyone my name is Hassan Khalil and was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. I moved to the United States in the 7th grade and I am currently a junior at San Diego State University where I am studying international business with an emphasis in the Middle East and North Africa. I am beyond excited to be working at the Diplomacy as I have always been interested in expanding my knowledge about other Cultures using hands-on methods like we have been doing at the Diplomacy and I can’t wait to see what the program has to offer me and how it’s going to help me grow.
William Wong
Program and Communications Intern
William’s passion for International Affairs and Diplomacy started through his high school’s Model United Nations club. He is now a third-year International Studies – International Business student at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Previously, William held the role of Vice President of Marketing within UCSD’s undergraduate business organization, the Sustainable Investment Group. In this capacity, he actively championed the cause of investing in companies that prioritize making a positive impact on the world.
Ashley Simmons
Ashley is a San Diego native and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University. She will soon be attending the Middlebury Institute of International Studies to obtain her Master’s degree in International Policy and Development. Her interest in diplomacy stems from her aspiration to cultivate change within the international community through policy and cooperation. She is currently an Executive Intern for SDDC and enjoys embarking on projects that are concerned with the development of local communities and are focused on equitable goals.
Neha Kharb
I am Neha Kharb from India. I am a current graduate student at San Diego State University pursuing Master is Global Business Development at Fowler College of Business. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in architecture from India and then received a Master’s degree in Architecture in 2018 from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. I worked as an Architectural Designer for almost 4 years.
My hobbies include traveling, cooking, dancing, and spending time with family and friends.
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