My name is Jennifer and I am student at the University of Washington majoring in International Studies with a focus in Asian Studies and minor in Human Rights. I have a strong interest in international relations and development, and am looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead of me in which The Washington Center and Boeing have provided.

Ever since my college career has started, my views have been vastly broadening as I have been given the opportunities to be immersed in the life and culture of contrasting countries in my travels and experiences.  In the fall of 2007, I interned at the World Affairs Council of Seattle, a Non-Profit Organization (NPO), as the Program Assistant and coordinated logistics, developed marketing strategies, and successfully publicized events with 700+ attendees to spread awareness on international activities. 

During the summer of 2008, two friends and I were fortunate enough to travel to Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam and do volunteer work, which included teaching, translating, playing and helping children with disabilities at temples and orphanages. At the end of summer, I went on a month-long study abroad to Beijing and Guilin, China where I was able to be immersed into Chinese culture and language as a student, instead of a tourist. I use find myself to be a globally informed person, but these experiences immensely opened my eyes.

I look forward to being a part of the U.S. - China Bilateral Trade Internship program and hope that my interests, knowledge and skills can be continue to grow and develop through this amazing opportunity.

Why did you apply to this program?           

I applied to this program because it was provided a combination learning opportunities that placed me in an unfamiliar area, where I would be put in a position to fully grow and expand on my own. Moreover, this program fit my interests of international relations and will allow me to improve my current skills, gain international working experience, learn more about cross-cultural relations, and help solidify the foundation I have toward future career goals of working in the international field.

Please identify the single aspect in US-China relations that you are most interested.

I am interested in the developmental relations between U.S. – China economic relations, particularly how the growth of both countries is dependent on each other and how economic growth can lead to political influence on the economic and political sphere.

What are your top professional goals? What do you want to accomplish during your internship?

In all honestly, I have not decided on a single career goal or have found a particular niche, but I know that as time progresses, I will continue to assert all my efforts toward the opportunities that arise before me, particularly toward working in a field that focuses on developmental issues and international affairs where I can be an active leader.

During this internship, I am looking forward to gaining hands-on experience of working with government, multi-national corporations, or non-government organizations. Not only do I hope to gain a deeper understanding of international relations and the developments between today’s global economy and foreign policies, but I look forward to exploring my options that this internship presents as well as gaining practical experienced toward a career in the international sector.

How will the U.S.-China Bilateral Trade Internship Program help you and your country in the future?

The U.S. -China Bilateral Trade Internship program will no only help me, but also other students to deepen their understanding of the implications in economic and political ties between the U.S. and China as each country continues to grow and globalize as recognized world-powers. This program fosters students to have a stronger understanding of cultural, economical and political differences between two great nations that are dependent of each other.

By creating this type of setting in the internship and allowing students to gain hands-on experience with these present-day issues, students like me to gain a comparative and analytical understanding of these contrasting, yet interdependent countries that is essential if there is hopes for peace in economic, social, and political order. Moreover, this internship will allow me to be more experienced and become a well-rounded employee with a competitive edge as I broaden and gain further knowledge of the 21st century’s international leading problems and learn how to tackle them.