Internships

The NESA Center’s internship program is an opportunity for highly motivated undergraduate and graduate students to gain professional skills and subject matter development on foreign policy and national security issues associated with the Near East and South Asia region.

Interned Students

Universities

Different Majors

**We are currently accepting applications for Spring '27 internships. The deadline to apply is November 11th.**

To apply, send your resume, cover letter, and a 500 word statement on why you want to work at NESA to Mr. Sam Marrero at Samuel.Marrero@ndu.edu. NESA internships are unpaid.

Note: To be considered, applicants must reside in the Washington DC area for the duration of the term for which they’re applying. Geographically remote internships will not be considered.

NESA Center Interns – Fall 2026

Antonio Rodriguez

Antonio is a master’s candidate in European Studies at KU Leuven in Belgium. A dual U.S. and French citizen focusing on regional security and transatlantic strategic affairs, he was awarded a VLUHR (Flemish Higher Education Council) scholarship for the Fall term. His current research focuses on strategic deterrence and security policy, including his master’s thesis comparing Russia’s 2024 revised nuclear doctrine with NATO’s 2022 Strategic Concept. At NESA, Antonio is interested in applying these strategic and nuclear deterrence frameworks to geopolitical tensions and escalation dynamics in the Middle East while supporting the Center’s academic programming and international engagements.

Chelsea Harp

Chelsea is an undergraduate at James Madison University pursuing a B.A. in International Affairs with a concentration in Safety & Security and a minor in French. Raised in a public service family, her experience living in Turkey and across Europe sparked an early interest in global affairs and diplomacy. Her academic interests include international security, counterterrorism, and regional dynamics across the Middle East, with a particular focus on Turkey and the Levant. She is also interested in the role of cross-cultural understanding and international cooperation in addressing complex security challenges. At NESA, Chelsea hopes to deepen her regional expertise while gaining practical experience in research, policy analysis, and international engagement.

Ella Reynolds

Ella is an undergraduate at Brigham Young University studying Middle Eastern Studies and Arabic, with a minor in Global and Community Impact. Her regional experience includes four months of Arabic study in Morocco, a summer working alongside Iraqi and Syrian refugee communities in Jordan, and travel throughout Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey. Her academic interests focus on the intersection of security and human rights, including government responses to instability and the implications of security policy for local populations. At NESA, Ella looks forward to exploring these issues from a national security perspective and learning from experts with extensive experience in the region.

Emma Campbell

Emma is an undergraduate at Curtin University in Western Australia pursuing a B.A. in International Relations and Anthropology & Sociology, with academic interests in Indo-Pacific security cooperation and the AUKUS partnership. Her regional experience includes a semester in South Korea studying East Asian and Korean Peninsula security, a community development project in rural Mongolia, and a study tour through Nauru, Kiribati, and the Marshall Islands examining governance and regional security challenges. She was also selected as an Australian delegate to the Pacific-Australia Youth Association Leadership Summit in Honiara. At NESA, Emma looks forward to applying her background in security cooperation and great-power competition to the Near East and South Asia while supporting faculty research and policy engagement.

Mohammad Farooq

Mohammad is a senior at Texas Christian University majoring in Political Science on the Pre-Law track with a minor in Spanish. Originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, his academic and professional interests include public policy, legislative affairs, international relations, and U.S. foreign policy. Through National Model United Nations, he represented Saudi Arabia and Algeria while working with international delegates to negotiate resolutions addressing global challenges. Mohammad speaks English, Pashto, and Persian (Farsi) and is currently studying Spanish. At NESA, he hopes to expand his understanding of regional security challenges, defense policy, and international engagement while gaining practical experience in policy research and analysis.

Maria Razborova

Maria is a junior at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, majoring in International Politics with a concentration in International Security and a minor in French and Francophone Studies. Having grown up between the United States and Russia, she developed an interest in international security, military affairs, and strategic competition. Her academic and research interests include U.S. foreign and defense policy, gray-zone conflict, and the evolving nature of warfare. She is particularly interested in the security dynamics of Central Asia, including the intersection of Russian influence and U.S. strategic interests. At NESA, Maria hopes to deepen her understanding of security cooperation and regional partnerships while contributing to policy-relevant research.

NESA Center interns use academic research, writing, and communications skills in support of faculty research and programs. Interns receive access to the National Defense University library and research resources to support research work. Interns participate in conferences, workshops, and other programs at the National Defense University featuring academics, subject matter experts, military officers, and diplomats. Interns also receive development opportunities throughout the Washington, D.C. area, accompanying faculty and participants on site visits to places like Capitol Hill, the Pentagon, and the State Department.

Interns are encouraged to pursue publication opportunities under the guidance of, or in partnership with, NESA Center faculty.

The NESA Center internship is unpaid. The NESA Center does not provide or assist interns in finding housing accommodations. The NESA Center does not sponsor travel or work visas for non-U.S. citizens.

We invite applicants seeking housing accommodation and/or travel visa sponsorship to apply through the following intern hosting organizations:

The Washington Center

Washington Internships Institute

PRIMARY DUTIES:

Assist NESA Center faculty and staff with long- and short-term research projects related to the NESA region.
Support NESA Center programs: note-taking, course material preparation and logistical support.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

A demonstrated interest in International Affairs, Defense, Security Studies, and the NESA Region.
Detail oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently or in teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Foreign Language skills a plus: particularly Arabic, French, Russian, Farsi, Urdu, Pashto, Dari.
Interested applicants must be enrolled in a degree-granting university program (undergraduate or graduate).

Reflections from Past Interns

"My internship at the NESA Center was an extremely valuable and formative experience. I enjoyed the opportunity to take on a variety of responsibilities while learning how diplomacy, education, government, and military engagement come together to support international partnerships. Working alongside knowledgeable and supportive colleagues gave me a deeper understanding of international affairs and security cooperation. The experience provided valuable professional insight that will continue to shape my future career."

-Caroline Lochner, University of South Carolina, Spring 2026 Intern

“My internship with NESA has been the most fruitful experience in my academic and professional career yet. The opportunity to work alongside Faculty members on research projects I am passionate about deepened my knowledge of the region while opening my eyes to a new side of international relations. NESA truly shaped the trajectory of my career and the meaningful connections I made still support me long after the conclusion of my internship.”

-Sophie Rossi, James Madison University, Spring 2023 Intern

“I worked on intriguing research projects and assisted thought-provoking and engaging seminars on a wide variety of NESA region topics. Considering the genuine conversations I had with NESA faculty, staff, and outside experts, the entire experience was pivotal in deciding the next steps in my academic and professional career and helped me develop the necessary skills and knowledge to take them.”

-Lien Knaepen, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium, Spring 2022 Intern

“The unique and stimulating environment at NESA has become the foundation of my academic and career trajectory. NESA gave me invaluable experiences deepening my knowledge of the Middle East and Asia, as well as opening my eyes to the importance of sub-regional distinctions in international security. My enduring and vibrant relationships with the NESA Senior Leadership, Faculty and Staff continue to shape my global perspective and benefit me professionally.”

-Patrick Centeno, Ramapo College, Summer 2021 Intern

“I had the unique opportunity to assist NESA’s expert faculty research on topics that most interest me and engage with practitioners and government officials directly from the NESA region. Although my internship was virtual, it was highly dynamic and interactive. I gained skills and connections that have already been crucial for beginning my career in foreign policy.”

-Ishmael Maxwell, Carleton College, Summer 2020 Intern

“Through NESA, I was able to develop professional skills alongside experts from across the globe. The flexibility NESA offers in developing my own research with guidance from Faculty allowed me to develop skills crucial for my career path. NESA is filled with opportunities that prepare students for the workforce.”

-Arwa Mokdad, University of Washington, Fall 2019 Intern

“NESA did not only give me the opportunity to see, listen and learn from experts in their fields, it also gave me the opportunity to interact with military officials from the NESA region. NESA also helped me to pursue my future goals and even put me in contact with people in the field from my home country, Belgium.”

-Kirsten Devlieger, Free University of Brussels, Fall 2018 Intern

“The NESA Center offered opportunities to which I’d never imagined I’d have access as a student. Not only was I able to take notes and learn from participant programs, but I engaged with participants and even observe high level policy meetings. Very few internships could have offered me the same opportunities as the NESA Center.”

-Chris Atmajian, California State University Northridge, Spring 2018 Intern

“What was different than other internships was being able to develop our own research interests and getting to interact with participants from the region. That was an incredible experience. As someone who also interned on the Hill, the biggest difference was that NESA helped me professionally develop and expand my network in an area in which I’m interested in working.”

-Matt Mueller, James Madison University, Summer 2017 Intern