I would like to begin by sincerely thanking Mrs. Martha Breithaupt for her generous support through the Martha Breithaupt Internship Award, which made this internship possible. My name is Andrea Palacios, and I am pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in International Development Studies with a minor in Political Science at 海角社区. I am deeply interested in diplomacy, global governance, and international cooperation, and this internship allowed me to explore these interests through direct engagement with multilateral diplomacy.
I chose to intern at the Permanent Representation of Peru to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) because I wanted to gain hands-on experience in international relations and see how diplomacy is carried out in a real-world context. As someone who aspires to work in international organizations such as the United Nations, this internship offered a unique opportunity to observe and contribute to the work of a permanent mission accredited to a UN specialized agency.
The Permanent Representation of Peru to ICAO plays a crucial role in representing Peru鈥檚 interests in this space. It participates in ICAO鈥檚 meetings, negotiations, and regulatory discussions, advocating for Peru鈥檚 national positions and ensuring that its perspectives are reflected in global aviation policies and standards. The mission also engages with other member states, fostering collaboration and addressing shared challenges in international aviation.
From May 12th to July 16th, I worked as an intern supporting the daily activities of the mission. My responsibilities included administrative support, document translation, policy research, and contributing to the drafting of confidential proposals. Due to the nature of the work, I am not able to disclose all the specific tasks I was involved in. However, I can share that I was entrusted with meaningful responsibilities that required attention to detail, discretion, and professionalism. The experience deepened my understanding of how diplomatic missions function, and the kinds of behind-the-scenes work that support international negotiations.
My academic background was directly relevant to the work I performed. Courses in Political Science and International Development helped me navigate the structure and purpose of international institutions, while my training in research methods and policy analysis was critical when preparing briefing notes or reviewing official documents. Additionally, my bilingual skills were particularly useful for translation tasks and for working in a multilingual environment.
A highlight of the internship was attending sessions at ICAO headquarters and observing how representatives from different countries debate, negotiate, and collaborate. Particularly, I had the pleasure to attend Climate Week at ICAO and connect with delegates, experts, and staff working on the intersection of aviation and environmental policy. The sessions provided insight into the complex challenges of reducing emissions in a globalized industry and showcased the importance of multilateral coordination in addressing climate change. It was inspiring to witness firsthand how states balance national interests with collective goals and how diplomacy plays a central role in advancing sustainable solutions. These moments not only deepened my understanding of climate governance but also reaffirmed my interest in contributing to global environmental efforts through international institutions.
This internship has been transformative for me. It solidified my interest in pursuing a career in International Relations and confirmed that working within international organizations is a path I would like to follow. The Martha Breithaupt Internship Award not only helped me access this experience but also covered essential costs such as transportation and daily expenses, which made it possible for me to fully dedicate myself to the internship. Thank you again to Mrs. Martha Breithaupt for her generous support and for making this experience possible!
