Name: Daniel
School: Harvard University
Major: Public Policy
Program: Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program
Bureaus: Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Office of Canadian Affairs

My initial impetus for applying for the Pickering Fellowship was the prospect of living and working abroad, and learning languages that I had never even heard of. Now, I look forward to becoming a Foreign Service Officer, as I see a career in the U.S. Department of State as an opportunity to serve my country - and democracy - by serving as a living example of all the best it espouses.

Last summer I served an internship that allowed me to:

- Monitor and report on Canadian economic, trade, environmental and border issues to the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs.

- Temporarily manage the U.S.-Canada economic portfolio including softwood lumber disputes, anti-trust legislation, auto labor negotiations and border security.

- Revise Ridge-Manley Border Security Act, in support of the war on terrorism and the strengthening of homeland security.

- Participate in bilateral anti-narcotics and cultural artifacts discussions.

In addition to learning a wealth of information on Canada, the State Department and how it functions, I completed my internship experience knowing how to think quickly on my feet and prioritize action. One particularly great skill, however, was developing the art of reading, interpreting and reporting information in such a way it elicits both the attention and responses that it deserves.

One of my most memorable and challenging experiences was the week I managed the economic portfolio, as the regular economic officer had an unexpected medical leave of absence. It really taught me what I was made of.

The summer really de-mystified the U.S. Department of State for me. No longer perceived by me as an off-limits club of pin-striped suits and cufflinks, State was now a living, breathing entity, comprised of many different people, with many different stories, working toward a most worthy goal.

Find out more about the Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship.

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