My Finternship: Right Next Door to Major News Events
An internship at the Embassy of Finland has something to offer for everyone. Interesting tasks, great colleagues and a vibrant national capital make sure that you are entertained both during and after office hours.
My name is Noora Hendolin and I'm doing a three-month internship at the Embassy's External Economic Affairs section. One of the greatest aspects about this internship has been the variety of tasks; ranging from reporting on current trade issues to organizing Midsummer festivals, you can rest assured to never get bored! Most of my day-to-day work consists of following trade-related issues and reporting on them, attending different topical seminars and conferences and doing background research on various topics. From day one onwards I have been treated as a full member of our team and given a lot of responsibility. Note: this is not your average coffee-making, copy-taking internship!
The Embassy as a working environment has been encouraging and welcoming; the employees form a small but supportive Finnish community. Interns are treated with respect and everyone has been very helpful. The other interns have become good friends with whom I've shared wonderful moments. It's extremely nice to have others around you who are in the same situation as you are!
Given the current political situation in the United States, this is an extremely interesting time to be here. I've had the opportunity to follow the change of administration from a front row seat. It feels almost surreal that many of the issues reported on the news around the world are actually taking place right next door!
Washington, D.C. is a great city to live in. In my opinion, the charm of D.C. lies not in the various monuments and museums (which are also super great, by the way), but in its vibrant and lively neighborhoods. Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Georgetown and Shaw, just to mention a few, are cozy neighborhoods surrounding downtown D.C. They all have their own distinct features. If you ever get the chance to visit Washington, I highly encourage you to step outside the typical touristy attractions and explore the exciting neighborhoods.
What's also great about D.C. is its international vibe – I've had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world. Washington, D.C. is located on the East Coast, thus serving as a perfect spot to discover some great surrounding areas. For example Philadelphia and New York are only a few hours' bus ride away. Or how does a long weekend in Miami or in the Caribbean (both within a short flight) sound like?
Thanks to my Finternship, I've developed a new understanding of trade politics, foreign affairs and international trade. Having studied both international business and political science, I've been able to take advantage of the knowledge I've gained at university and combine it with the practical and analytical skills I've learned here. I think this internship will be vital for my future career development. Thus, I highly recommend applying for an internship at any Finnish Embassy if you want to experience something awesome. You won't be disappointed!
Text: Noora Hendolin