FEEDBACK FROM THE INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

I have been interning at the Thai Embassy for the past month and have found it to be a very enriching learning experience.  I have been working primarily in the economic section helping to co-ordinate communications and meetings about investment opportunities between businesses in the U.S. and Thailand.  I have also helped out with visits by Thai dignitaries to Washington.

Everyone at the Embassy is really nice and very helpful and they are always willing to answer questions, and explain how the embassy functions and the relationship between Thailand and the U.S.  My tasks here at the embassy are giving me knowledge that I would not gain elsewhere, and I will miss working here when I return to classes at school.

Nonnabhat Paiboon.
 
Having the chance to work in the Royal Thai Embassy of Washington, D.C. has been a great fortunate opportunity for me. Even in a short period, I have learned more than I could ever have expected. I was assigned to work under the First Secretary of Consular Affairs on my first week. My task was mainly to assist the Thais and foreigners that comes to deal with the consular section in the morning, which concerns visas, passports, legalization, etc. This task has improved my communication skills, both Thai and English. The fact that I participate in this daily activity, I had to learn all the vital information about consular affairs.

My other assignments includes drafting Thai and English reports for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, translating documents, and assisting the embassy's staff with daily office assignments.
 In conclusion, having interned here in the Embassy has proven to be extremely beneficial to my future studies and career. The embassy has shown me trust for my responsibilities and I will always be thankful for that. It has been a great honor working here and I appreciate all the helpful and gracious staffs that guided me all the way. Thank you.

Darin P., George Washington University graduate

At the Royal Thai Embassy, I had the opportunity to work at the Economic Desk on projects relating to the US-Thailand Free Trade Agreement. In my capacity, I conducted research on trade and export-import issues between states in the U.S. and Thailand. Additionally, I monitored and analyzed FTA developments in Congress, the Office of the US Trade Representative, and the International Trade Commission. The analysis and observations I gathered at these hearings
were reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce. The Embassy also needed to produce public relations materials for the US-Thailand FTA, so I took the lead in getting these FTA brochures made. Additionally, because of my management information systems background, I also compiled databases of congressional voting record on free trade and top Fortune 500 US companies with operations in Thailand.

Outside of the scope of my main responsibilities, I also had the opportunity to work with the Information Officer to facilitate the arrival of Thai dignitaries, including Her Royal Highness Princess Sirindhorn and the Minister of Culture. Furthermore, since the Royal Thai Embassy did not have any information about its internship program on the website, I organized information about the application procedure and created an application form (which I see had been made available today!). Finally, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a fashion cultural event organized by the ASEAN Womens Circle. During my time at the Embassy, my Thai language capabilities improved exponentially.

The best part of my experience with the Royal Thai Embassy was the tremendous amount of support I received from my first day till my last day of the internship. The Embassy provided several opportunities to participate in trainings, which greatly improved my understanding of the U.S. political process and trade. For example, I participated in trainings on how Congress works, political action committee and its impact in Congress, and the effects of outsourcing on the economy. Furthermore, the Embassy also gave me internal training, where I learned about US protocol for dignitary visits and the process of entering the Thai foreign service. Every week of my internship, I was also given networking opportunities through events held at the Thai Embassy, on Capitol Hill, in other Embassies, and in various venues around the DC area.

I have always been impressed by the professional development opportunities provided by the Embassy. To this day, my internship at the Embassy has proven to be extremely beneficial to my career interests. I would encourage any student who has an interest in the Foreign Service, economics, politics, bilateral trade issues, Southeast Asia, or Thailand to intern at the Royal Thai Embassy.

Daniel J. Dore, University of North Carolina undergraduate

The internship offered to exceptional students at the Royal Thai Embassy leaves little to be desired.  It is an experience that all will find unique, educational, and very enjoyable.  Working under the First Secretary of Political Affairs, I was afforded opportunity after opportunity to do both important and rewarding work.  I came to the Embassy during the period immediately following the devastating earthquake and tsunamis that hit Thailand and many other countries in the region.  Due to the rehabilitation necessary for Thailand to rebuild, the Embassy had shifted the majority of its time and energy to different tasks related to raising money, supplies, and educating the public and US government.  The scope of the work meant there was plenty for me to do.  Upon my first day of work, I was sent to Capital Hill to deliver, on behalf of the Ambassador, gifts to several prominent Senators and Representatives for their work on the tsunami issues.  One of the reasons I had such a great internship at the Embassy was because I was truly treated with a respect not usually offered to interns in Washington.  The body of my work was both comprehensive and interesting.  Whether I was writing speeches, composing summaries to be sent via telex to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok, attending symposiums, hearings on the Hill, or evening events at the Embassy, I was constantly challenged to expand and develop my own abilities.  To have a successful internship it was important that I worked to improve my writing to keep it both brief and informative, refined my conversational skills, as well as working to expand my decision-making to see issues from a country’s perspective.

There is an old adage about Thailand that I found to be more than true.  Thailand is known as “The Land of Smiles” because of the world-renowned friendliness of the Thai people.  At the Royal Thai Embassy this is not lacking.  From the moment I came to work I was greeted with wide smiles and open arms.  Even though I am an American farang I was given the same respect and opportunities as Thai interns.  In fact, the staff at the Embassy worked hard to help accustom me to aspects of the Thai culture that were new to me.  Very quickly I became acclimated to Thai ways and was soon very comfortable in my new surroundings.

Overall, my experience here at the Royal Thai Embassy has been nothing short of amazing.  From the constant flow of challenging and engaging work, to the unique political and diplomatic experiences I was able to take part in, to the friendliness of the staff, I have found myself thinking that my only regret is that my term here in Washington does not last longer.

Sterling Seery, Georgetown University undergraduate

Having studied abroad in Thailand for a semester in college, I wanted to incorporate the things I learned there with my interests. I wanted to continue my focus on Thailand while incorporating things that affect me here in the United States. I found out about the Internship Program at the Thai Embassy and thought it might be exactly what I was looking for. It turns out it was all that and more.

Before interning at the Thai Embassy, I thought all internships were just jobs where you have to make copies and coffee and the only reward was getting to put down “Internship” on your resume. The internship at the Thai Embassy has totally changed my formerly held view.

As an intern, I was afforded responsibilities far beyond coffee and copy making. I was really doing things, and learning by doing. I have had many great opportunities and experiences here. I have attended Senate and House Committee hearings on Capitol Hill and reported on their outcomes. I have written reports for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding international relations of all kinds. I have researched important economic, political, and social issues. I have even helped write speeches for the Ambassador.

Through all these responsibilities, I have improved my existing skills. My Thai language, research, time management, and decision-making skills have improved greatly. In addition to these improvements, I have also gained an abundance of knowledge. Before interning at the Thai Embassy, I had no idea how an embassy worked and what exactly goes on among the host country, the embassy, and its home country. I gained valuable insight into the functions and operations of foreign missions. In addition, I have gained great interest and plan to take the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Service Officer Exam. Thanks to my experience at the Thai Embassy, I will have a leg up on most people as I prepare for a career in foreign affairs.

More important than the responsibilities or skills the Thai Embassy gave me is the personal way in which the people here have treated me. I interned while taking a full college course load. The staff was very cooperative with me as I attempted to balance school and my internship. Their friendliness only helped. From the get-go, I was treated very well and found all the staff more than gracious. This made the experience not only rewarding, but also enjoyable.

Having interned and worked at various locations before the Thai Embassy, I can honestly say that this is the best experience I have had in my work and internship career.  I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in international affairs, politics, or Thailand