Learning Life’s interns do vital work to grow our organization. This fall, their work includes: assisting with in-person Democracy Dinners and helping to carry out the first Democracy Festival in the DC region that occurred on October 26; outreach to thousands of people on Facebook to help grow the Family Diplomacy Initiative (FDI) worldwide; supporting our international family issue presentations; growing our Citizen Diplomacy International bibliography; and more. Learning Life is very grateful for their dedicated work. You can learn a little about each of our interns below.
Hasan Abumelha
Year, major, and school: I am a senior at Marymount University, majoring in Political Science and International Relations.
Hobbies: Falconry is not just a hobby for me; it is a vital part of my culture and heritage, so I take immense pride in it. I enjoy hunting with falcons, as well as breeding and training them.
Career Aspirations: My ambition is to become a diplomat, representing my country, Saudi Arabia, on the international stage. I look forward to building coalitions and working collaboratively with diverse cultures and nations. While the future holds many surprises, I am dedicated to this path and excited about the opportunities and challenges it may bring.
Why Learning Life? Learning Life was introduced to me by my college professor, Dr. Margaret Tseng, and it has been one of the most enriching experiences of my academic journey. As a newcomer to the job market, I believe it is crucial to work in a small team and have a direct relationship with management, particularly when much of the work is new to me. It was thus an enriching experience to work in small groups with Learning Life where everyone is familiar and accessible, including the founder, Paul Lachelier, who is always reachable.
The fact that the internship is remote has been a huge help, especially since I live fairly far from Washington, DC and am a full-time student. It has saved me a lot of time, allowing me to manage my studies without affecting the quality of my work or academic performance. Learning Life has also offered me the opportunity to build a strong network and lasting friendships. I’ve gained important skills that are valuable for any future job or internship, like event management, social media, and database management. These skills are essential in both large and small organizations. Volunteering at the first Democracy Festival was a highlight for me. I really value all the experiences we’ve shared as a team and the personal challenges I’ve overcome. Each challenge has taught me something new, and I am thankful and proud to have worked with everyone involved.
Rylee Christian
Year, major, and school: I am a junior at the University of California, Santa Cruz, majoring in Community Studies. I am in Washington, D.C., for an internship with the UCDC (University of California in DC) program.Hobbies: I love spending my time exploring, either by walking around new parts of towns, trying local places, or spending time in parks. I also enjoy being outside camping, hiking, and at the beach. I also love to watch video essays that explore fashion history and culture.Career aspirations: With my degree in Community Studies I would like to work in the nonprofit sector, centered on food justice and food systems. I seek to pursue a Master’s in Social Work to further diversify my knowledge and professional skills to be an effective leader in my community.
Why Learning Life? I chose to intern at Learning Life because I was drawn to its international outreach and community building. I am passionate about building communities to ensure prosperity, and value the inclusion of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Learning Life’s work is centered on this mission through its initiatives, and my experience has been valuable in understanding their community organizing skills and methods used.
Walt Heiser
Year, major, and school: I’m a junior at New York University, majoring in International Relations and minoring in Public Policy & Management.Hobbies: I’m incredibly passionate about sports, especially basketball. I love playing whenever I can and follow the sport as closely as possible. Music is another big part of my life. I’m especially drawn to Afro-Francophone music and Afrobeats. My favorite artist is Fally Ipupa. I also love traveling and exploring new places in the U.S. and abroad. One of the most memorable places I’ve visited is Kingakati, a beautiful safari resort just outside Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). When I have downtime, I often watch documentaries and podcasts on history, global events, sports, and true crime. I’m particularly interested in African history, focusing on decolonization, neocolonialism, and diasporic relations, especially in the DRC. Learning about global conflicts and injustices that often go unrecognized fuels my desire to make a meaningful impact.Career Aspirations: After graduating, I plan to pursue an MPA in Public and Nonprofit Policy & Management, with the goal of working in international public service and development. I aim to bridge global communities, advocate for social justice, and strengthen U.S.-Africa relations, particularly through equitable growth initiatives. I’m excited about the idea of working with impactful organizations where I can drive change that truly matters and help create a more connected, just world.
Why Learning Life? I chose to intern with Learning Life because of its commitment to fostering meaningful connections across borders through its programs, the Family Diplomacy Initiative, and Citizen Diplomacy International. I was inspired by how these initiatives empower individuals and families to share their stories and address global challenges together, reminding me that anyone can be a diplomat in their daily lives. This experience expanded my understanding of global citizenship and diplomacy, and I came to see how I, too, can be an ambassador of my heritage and culture, both educating others and learning from them to promote global equity. Additionally, working with Learning Life has deepened my appreciation for the operations of a nonprofit. I enjoyed seeing how a mission-driven organization creates impact from the ground up, and this experience has only strengthened my dedication to a career in public service. A quote by Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” resonates deeply with me and aligns with Learning Life’s mission. Through my time interning with Learning Life, I have felt this truth firsthand: education and connection are powerful tools for creating positive change, and I am excited to carry forward what I’ve learned into my long-term goal of connecting people worldwide to build a more just, inclusive future.
Elene Japaridze
Year, major, and school: I’m a senior majoring in Political Science and International Relations with a minor in Communications at Marymount University.
Hobbies: My hobbies include reading, swimming, working out, and watching TV shows, like Brooklyn 99, New Girl, and The Office!
Career aspirations: Currently, I am preparing to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and International Affairs, hoping to work at international organizations, embassies, ministries, and/or government agencies, where I can contribute to shaping policies that promote global equity, justice, and cooperation.
Why Learning Life? When I heard what Learning Life was doing for the community and especially abroad, I was really interested. Promoting and teaching democracy and diplomacy is something I strongly support. In a world where democratic values and international cooperation are more critical than ever, Learning Life’s approach to educating and empowering individuals is not only timely but essential.
Theo Kim
Year, major, and school: I am currently a sophomore at Swarthmore College. I plan on majoring in both history and political science.
Hobbies: I’ve been swimming on club teams since second grade. I am currently swimming with the Swarthmore men’s swim team. Outside of school, in my spare time, I love to read books, play video games and volleyball.
Career aspirations: I plan on attending law school then practicing either administrative or constitutional law. Alternatively, I may enter the political field and become a public policy advisor in education.
Why Learning Life? I chose Learning Life because the goals of Learning Life align with my vision of spreading democracy within the Washington DC area and beyond. In the perilous times, with the dangers that democracy faces, it becomes more important to me that the benefits of democracy can be experienced by future generations.
Paule Ndjiki-Nya
Year, major, and school: I am currently a junior at Rutgers University, double majoring in Political Science and Africana Studies.
Hobbies: I have a passion for traveling and exploring different cultures, which aligns with my love of learning new languages and connecting with diverse communities. In my free time, I also enjoy creative pursuits like doing makeup and scrapbooking, which allow me to capture memories from my travels and express my artistic side.
Career aspirations: I am dedicated to a career in international relations, focusing on NGO (non-governmental organization) work, international development, and international human rights law to address poverty, inequality, and systemic challenges, particularly in Africa. My ultimate goal is to make a meaningful impact in policy and social change, especially in Cameroon, and to work at an international level. I aspire to become an international lawyer, potentially working with the International Criminal Court, the European Union, or the United Nations.
Why Learning Life? I was drawn to Learning Life because of its commitment to strengthening democracy through hands-on community involvement and grassroots initiatives. As someone passionate about civic engagement and fostering connections across diverse communities, I am excited to work with an organization dedicated to building a culture of democracy beyond traditional politics. Learning Life’s approach to creating democratic spaces where people feel informed, connected, and empowered aligns with my own aspirations to make social change accessible and inclusive. Contributing to Learning Life has given me firsthand experience in engaging the public with democracy in ways that are interactive and impactful. Working with the DMV Democracy Learning Community (DLC) has been an inspiring opportunity to see how grassroots movements can deepen civic understanding and build stronger communities. This experience is invaluable for my future career in international development and human rights, as it allows me to develop skills in organizing, advocacy, and outreach—skills I am eager to apply on an international scale to address systemic challenges and bring lasting positive change to communities, especially in Cameroon and Africa more broadly.
Santiago Quiros
Year, major, and school: I am a sophomore majoring in politics at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Hobbies:In my free time I greatly enjoy running, playing soccer, traveling, reading and learning about the world, and being with family and friends!
Career aspirations: I want to become a diplomat or possibly a journalist in service of Latin America! My dream job would be at the U.S. State Department, but I am open to where the road takes me! I am passionate about writing and serving different communities.
Why Learning Life? I chose to intern at Learning Life because I was immediately attracted to their family and citizen advocacy. Learning about the different issues that families face around the world through the Family Diplomacy Initiative (FDI) has been especially rewarding. Getting the opportunity to connect with Learning Life’s democracy community in the DC area, and the wider international community through FDI has been a great experience as I pursue my career in foreign service. I am certain that the knowledge I gained will help me for years to come!
Trevor Ruszcyzk
Year, major, and school: In December this year, I will be graduating from Marymount University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and a minor in public health.
Hobbies: My lifelong hobby has been snowboarding and generally spending time outdoors. I love a challenge, so three years ago I started glass blowing too.
Career aspirations: Since I was a young boy, around 10 years old, when I helped leaflet my small town for an increase in my school’s budget, I knew I wanted to be involved in politics. However, the anger that current elected officials receive is beyond unappealing, which spurs me to strive for a career in government consulting instead. Some day, I hope to play a significant role in policymaking without being in the spotlight.
Why Learning Life? I chose to intern with Learning Life because of its crucial role in ensuring the overall well-being of our democracy and engaging everyday Americans in international diplomacy. In addition, Learning Life allowed me to get perspective on the operations of a nonprofit engaged in civic education and grassroots fundraising.
Jessie Tucker
Year, major, and school: I am a junior at George Washington University majoring in International Affairs and Spanish.
Hobbies: I love to meet new people, explore new places, and learn about other cultures. After my internship with Learning Life this fall, I am studying abroad in Madrid, Spain! I am thrilled about any opportunity to travel and try new foods!
Career aspirations: I hope to pursue a career in the public service, specifically related to foreign policy and Latin America. I can see myself working on migration policy, counternarcotics, or human rights. Combining my language skills and passion for the Latin American region is the ultimate dream!
Why Learning Life? I became interested in interning with Learning Life because of its commitment to making democracy more apparent in everyday life, not just during elections. I appreciate Learning Life’s approach towards fostering a culture of democracy by simply engaging in dialogue with those around us, however different. We have so much to learn from each other! Additionally, it has been rewarding to participate in the Family Diplomacy Initiative (FDI), where I have the privilege of attending discussions and listening to presentations from family diplomats around the world.
Hasan Abumelha
Rylee Christian
Walt Heiser
Elene Japaridze
Theo Kim
Paule Ndjiki-Nya
Santiago Quiros
Trevor Ruszcyzk
Jessie Tucker
