Name: Samia Islam
Class Year: 2025
Majors: Political Science & International Studies
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Internship Organization: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly
Internship Title: Research Intern
Location: Vienna, Austria
What's happening at your internship? We would love to hear what kind of work you are doing!
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is the world’s largest regional security organization, with 57 participating states across Europe, North America, and Central Asia. The Parliamentary Assembly, where I was an intern, serves as the parliamentary forum of the OSCE. It aims to strengthen the democratic legitimacy of the organization by including elected representatives in its activities. The Assembly contributes to the organization’s work through resolutions, reports, and recommendations, fostering dialogue among parliamentarians and providing a platform for addressing pressing security and political issues. By participating in the Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC) and the Permanent Council (PC) meetings, I was exposed to key discussions on diverse topics such as arms control, counter-terrorism, and regional security challenges. My role involved closely monitoring these meetings, taking detailed notes, and synthesizing information that helps support the Parliamentary Assembly’s efforts to shape and respond to ongoing developments in the OSCE’s vast operational sphere. This experience has offered me a deeper understanding of how multilateral diplomacy operates in practice and the complexities of building consensus among diverse nations
Why did you apply for this internship?
I applied for this internship because I have always aspired to work at the forefront of international diplomacy and policy-making. While my academic studies in international relations have provided a solid theoretical foundation, I felt it was crucial to gain hands-on, real-world experience to truly understand how these processes function in practice.
Was this internship what you expected it to be?
No, this internship was not what I initially expected—for several reasons. First and foremost, I never imagined I would have the opportunity to attend such high-level meetings where real-world discussions on current events unfold. Being present at the Forum for Security Cooperation and Permanent Council sessions, I witnessed intense debates on regional conflicts, security threats, and complex geopolitical dynamics. The direct exposure to these discussions, where sensitive issues such as territorial disputes and state aggression were addressed candidly, far exceeded my expectations. While I have studied conflict and security strategies through textbooks, being privy to nuanced details and discussions that are not typically accessible to the public provided a far deeper and more complex understanding of these issues. It was eye-opening to engage with high-level diplomatic exchanges that frequently involved sensitive information, offering a level of insight that goes well beyond theoretical learning. Additionally, I did not anticipate the emotional impact that some of these meetings would have on me. Sessions that focused on women’s security and the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war were particularly difficult to process. Studying these issues in an academic setting, where they are often viewed through a historical or theoretical lens, is vastly different from engaging with them in the context of ongoing situations. Being confronted with these realities and listening to current testimonies was emotionally taxing, leaving me with a profound sense of helplessness at times. The immediate and human dimension of these issues became starkly evident, underscoring the heavy responsibility carried by those working in international diplomacy. Overall, this experience has been far more intense and challenging than anticipated, but it has also been deeply transformative. It has provided me with a clearer understanding of the gravity and urgency of diplomatic work and has highlighted the emotional and ethical complexities that underpin security and conflict discussions—realities that are difficult to grasp without direct exposure.
Can you give us three adjectives and three nouns that describe your internship experience?
Adjectives- Insightful, Challenging, Transformative
Nouns- Exposure, Networking, Advocacy
Career & Civic Engagement Center Political Science International Studies