THE AMERICAN HELLENIC INSTITUTE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
For four decades, over 200 students and recent graduates have completed the American Hellenic Institute Internship Program at the Hellenic House in Washington, D.C. This program has enriched their knowledge, affirmed their career aspirations, and helped them build strong relationships with professionals and academics. Our interns work at our historic building on 16th Street N.W., just five blocks from the White House, allowing for a first-hand experience of how foreign policy is created and executed in our nation’s capital.
ABOUT THE AHI INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
The American Hellenic Institute offers internship positions throughout the year. The internship is an excellent opportunity for those interested in gaining experience in government affairs and foreign policy issues, specifically U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus. It is designed for undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates, and helps them explore new career avenues and jump-start professions in government, journalism, lobbying, or the nonprofit sector.
Interns work directly with staff members on various activities, including performing research and analysis, drafting letters and memoranda, and assisting with other project-oriented tasks. They also attend lectures held at think tanks, monitor legislation and congressional hearings on Capitol Hill, draft press releases, and assist with general administrative duties.
The duration of the internship varies depending on each student's schedule. During the academic year, they are expected to work a minimum of 15 hours per week. During the summer term, preference will be given to interns who are available to work full-time. The internship is unsalaried. Foreign students are eligible to apply as long as they have a current student visa and/or work permit. Additionally, housing is not provided and interns are responsible for making their own housing arrangements.
OUR INTERNS
Our interns are community leaders and campus activists eager to experience first-hand how foreign policy is developed and executed. They come from all corners of the United States, and countries including Greece, Cyprus, France, England, and more. The alma mater of previous interns include Harvard, Yale, Tufts, Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University, Columbia University, New York University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, etc. All interns leave our program with an enhanced understanding of U.S. foreign policy and its relation to Congress and the executive branch. Whether finding jobs here in the DC area or returning to their hometowns, our interns gain first-hand experience that makes them more competitive in the job market, leading to more successful and fulfilling careers.
“I joined the AHI team in 2011 after finishing my Master’s degree at the University of Cambridge in the UK. As an intern, I had the opportunity to follow a series of events in a number of think tanks in Washington, DC, to contribute to AHI’s publications with reports and short articles and to engage in research into the modern history of Cyprus. Through this work, I gained a better understanding of the international relations between the U.S. and Cyprus, Greece and Turkey and first-hand experience of the making of US foreign policy. I also had a chance to learn about careers in think tanks, lobby organizations and the world of foreign affairs more broadly. Spending a number of months in Washington, DC gave me an insight into the Greek American community and its efforts to promote the interests of Greece and Cyprus in the United States. My time at AHI played an important role in my decision to pursue a PhD in history at the Centre for Hellenic Studies at King’s College London.”
– Loizos Kapsalis, Research Student, PhD Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Centre for Hellenic Studies, King's College London.
EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT / INDEPENDENT STUDY:
Students seeking to earn college credit during their internship are required to meet with their academic advisor or faculty supervisor to confirm that the American Hellenic Institute Internship Program is eligible for college credit within their academic institution. Interns are supervised by the AHI staff and follow the guidelines from each university or organization.
QUALIFICATIONS:
To be eligible, interns must be currently enrolled in a college or university or have graduated within 12 months from the beginning of the internship. Interns may receive academic credit for their internship if approved and arranged by their educational institution. Typically, our interns are:
Highly motivated, responsible individuals with strong research, writing, and computer skills along with excellent oral communication skills.
Pursuing an educational concentration in public administration, foreign policy, government, political science, or other relevant fields.
Able to handle several tasks at once while working independently or as a team member.
DEADLINES:
Students apply to the program from universities across the United States; therefore, the program schedule is flexible to accommodate participants and their school’s schedule. Accordingly, internships are accepted on a rolling basis.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Download the American Hellenic Institute Internship Program Application Form
If you have any questions about the application process or the internship, please contact
Alexander Christofor at Alexander.Christofor@AHIworld.org
SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION
Please provide the following:
A completed, signed, and dated internship application form
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter
3) Academic Transcript
4) One writing sample (3-5 pages)
5) Minimum of three professional references
Send all materials in a single e-mail to Alexander Christofor at Alexander.Christofor@AHIworld.org with the subject line INTERNSHIP APPLICATION: [Full Name]. Please attach your materials as separate PDF (.pdf) files. Any letters of recommendation (not required, but welcome) can be emailed to Alexander Christofor with the subject line AHI INTERN LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION [Your Name].