Voices from the field: Policy students reflect on global internships
McCourt School of Public Policy graduate students share their experiences in international development across Central America, the Middle East, South Asia and Africa.
As summer research assistants, Juan Manuel Menéndez (MIDP’25) and Yeji Kim (MIDP’25) (not pictured) supported CERP’s Computer Vision project, which focuses on improving property tax collection in Punjab by utilizing advanced AI techniques.
Lahore, Pakistan | July 2024
The extreme heat (113 degrees Fahrenheit on average) is finally dissipating as we enter the monsoon season. My colleagues at the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP) and I are speeding up the fieldwork process before another heat wave puts the team out of order. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here and have immersed myself in Pakistani history and culture and gained a fresh perspective on the international development field. I even get to play fútbol with local friends every Saturday!
Juan Menendez (MIDP’25)
Juan Manuel Menéndez (MIDP’25) and Yeji Kim (MIDP’25) visited a rural farm in Pakistan with colleagues from CERP to learn about the country’s agricultural industry.
Lahore, Pakistan | July 2024
Juan and I are working on CERP’s Computer Vision project, which focuses on improving Punjab property tax collection using advanced AI techniques. We are overseeing fieldwork, creating a dashboard to assess the team’s efficiency in real-time and checking data quality. I have gained a profound respect for development professionals, field workers and researchers and for Pakistan’s rich, ancient culture and extraordinary hospitality.
Yeji Kim (MIDP’25)
Zeynep Çelik (MIDP’25) (left) and a UNDP coworker explored Istanbul together.
Ankara, Türkiye | July 2024
Spending time in my native country has been a fulfilling experience. I enjoy my work at the United Nations Development Programme and am honing my skills for the future. I’ve been able to work closely with data on a project supporting businesses impacted by the 2023 earthquake—the deadliest in Türkiye’s modern history. An interactive data visualization I created was shared with the head of the country office. They even praised my work!
Zeynep Çelik (MIDP’25)
Xuerong Lei (MIDP’25) and the World Bank colleagues implemented a pilot program for farmers in Rwamagana, Rwanda.
Kigali, Rwanda | July 2024
My first two weeks were challenging, but I found fantastic new lodging and housemates. I feel safe here, and the people are friendly and openly share their views about Rwanda’s social and political contexts. I work as a researcher in the agriculture sector of the World Bank Group’s Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) department. My colleagues and I were invited to the country manager’s home for a celebration in June. It was so nice!
Xuerong Lei (MIDP’25)
Alec Brockell (MIDP’25) and Constanza Alarcón (MIDP’21), J-PAL policy manager and McCourt School alumna, collaborated on the experimental design of a pilot randomized controlled trial.
Guatemala City, Guatemala | July 2024
It has been so exciting to see how the knowledge I gained in the classroom directly applies to my work on the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab’s early childhood development project. From programming and data analysis skills to statistics and economic theory, I’ve been able to use everything I’ve learned. I have even gotten to work with a McCourt School alumna!
Alec Brockell (MIDP’25)
Jasmine Jha (MIDP’25) works with colleagues from Innovations for Poverty Action to safely package “intervention bracelets” ahead of transport to local health clinics.
Freetown, Sierra Leone | July 2024
I enjoy this place and the people as much as my internships and the challenges that come with them — even navigating limited internet access. I have excellent managers who are very supportive, focused on teaching me the ropes and trust me to manage work independently. For 3ie, I recently contributed to a guide on research methods from gender-sensitive perspectives (I will be listed as a co-author once it is published, which is very exciting!) and am also getting involved in business development proposals.
Jasmine Jha (MIDP’25)
Tianyu Bai (far right) and fellow summer interns from Georgetown University with colleagues at gui2de’s East Africa office.
Nairobi, Kenya | July 2024
I am working at gui2de on the Rebuild2 and GiveDirectly projects focused on providing cash transfers to refugees. The Rebuild2 project adds a network-building component to the micro-enterprise cash grant delivery, aiming to create sustainable economic opportunities. From the city’s vibrant culture and friendly people to its beautiful landscapes, Nairobi has been a fantastic place to live and work. Despite the challenges of unrest in the area, which occasionally hampers field activities, my work is rewarding, and I feel supported by my colleagues.
Tianyu Bai (MIDP’25)
Caroline Atuhaire (MIDP’25) met with teachers at the Mlimani Primary School in Dar es Salaam to discuss teachers’ experiences and challenges in the classroom.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | July 2024
I am in good health and high spirits! At gui2de, I fully engage in the Teachers Professional Development Project with Tanzania’s Institute of Education and What Works Hub for Global Education. We recently designed various interview and survey instruments to implement in the field and conducted interviews with government officials on improving education outcomes. I am eager to share my experiences with friends and family.
Caroline Atuhaire (MIDP’25)