As a daughter of Vietnamese immigrants who fled their homelands during times of violence and conflict, I always grew up with a passion for helping those around me. As I am about to graduate with a Masters degree in Global Affairs with a Specialization in Global Conflict and Security, my recent internship at MSI, an esteemed USAID-consulting company, along with my position at the Office of International Programs and Services (OIPS) as a Graduate Professional Assistant for Mason Korea Student Engagement marked a pivotal step in my journey. During my internship with MSI, I found myself found immersed in the world of international development, where I assisted the a project in Mozambique called MozMEL.
During my internship, I would take charge in copy-editing field office reports, cross-checking home offices expenses, partaking in weekly meetings with various stakeholders, and many more. From having no international development experience to having an exceptional amount, this internship has been truly transformative in how I view and work within the international development world. With this internship, I embraced every and any opportunity to deepen my understanding of assisting development nations throughout the world.
Simultaneously, I served as a Graduate Professional Assistant for Mason Korea student engagement on behalf of OIPS, where I played a vital role in providing a vibrant an inclusive community for students from Mason Korea to engage with. I was able to organized cultural events for students, study sessions, networking opportunities, and even field trips to our local zoos and Washington D.C. With this, I was able to provide support services to Korean students, all while fostering a sense of belonging and connection among the diverse student body that is, George Mason University.
As I reflect on my journey from being an undergraduate student, to a masters student at GMU, I feel a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunities that the Global Affairs program has given me that allowed me to shape my personal and professional growth. I believe that with my educational pursuits along with my professional experiences, I will be entering the workforce with the skill and knowledge needed to navigate the complex landscape of international development along with furthering my passions to promote peace, justice, and safety for all on a global scale. To the Global Affairs program, thank you.