Learning Life’s interns do vital work to grow our organization and advance our mission. This spring, their work includes assisting with in-person Democracy Dinners; research for fundraising and program promotion; and outreach to thousands of people on Facebook, and Linked, email and phone about our programs and projects, including the third Democracy Festival and second Youth Summit on Youth Policymaking in Washington, DC this fall, and our international Family Diplomacy Initiative and Citizen Diplomacy International programs online worldwide. Learning Life is very grateful for their dedicated work. You can learn a little about each of our interns below.
Sameeksha Arutla
Year, major, and school: I am a sophomore at George Washington University studying International Affairs and International Business, with a minor in economics and a concentration in international development.
Hobbies: I love reading, meeting new people, sightseeing in D.C., traveling, fashion, and dance! I started teaching myself hip-hop and contemporary dance in 2020, and am excited to be in my first official dance show at GW this semester. At GW, I am involved in the Greater Washington Conference on International Affairs, Model United Nations, the Pre-Law Student Association, and the undergraduate international affairs and pre-law journals.
Career aspirations: After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend law school and pursue a career in immigration or international human rights law. Specifically, I am interested in reducing barriers to legal aid access for historically underprivileged populations and learning more about refugee resettlement.
Why Learning Life? I was interested in Learning Life because of its commitment to community-based democracy and diplomacy initiatives. As someone who has worked with both nonprofits and youth community groups, I am enthusiastic about Learning Life’s youth programs and focus on ensuring that all levels of society can participate in diplomatic processes!
Jaelen Bolden
Year, major, and school: I am a senior attending Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, majoring in International Relations.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy reading, crafts, music, outdoor activities, and spending time with family! A book I have been enjoying lately is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. Career aspirations: After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in policy research and analysis. However, I ultimately plan to attend law school to study international law.
Career aspirations:After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in policy research and analysis. However, I ultimately plan to attend law school to study international law.
Why Learning Life? I chose Learning Life because I was inspired by its mission to help people become active participants in democracy, and I was interested in the opportunity to learn more about diplomacy and the small ways we can contribute and make a lasting impact by fostering connections and community across borders.
Andrea Olivas
Year, major, and school: I am a senior at George Mason University (GMU) majoring in Global Affairs with a concentration on global inequalities and responses, and minoring in Korean Studies.
Hobbies: I enjoy dancing, specifically hip hop and pole dance and have been in several dance teams since high school. I also love watching documentaries on social and international issues, history and culture or social commentary videos online because I always want to be informed about the world I live in. When I have extra time, I try to learn new words in Korean and Spanish so I can continue improving my language skills. During my time in Korea I also loved going on walks and exploring new cafes, so I hope to do that wherever I go!
Career aspirations: Growing up in a multicultural household that blended Mexican and American culture and traditions to then living in South Korea as a young adult during my first three years of college at GMU, I saw and experienced the importance of expanding our worldviews and perspectives. Even though we are connected through the internet, ignorance and misunderstandings still prevail, causing tensions between people and nations. So, I hope to employ my international and multicultural background to encourage and facilitate collaboration or discussions between individuals, communities, and potentially governments that lead to a more peaceful and empathetic world. My ultimate goal is to work in diplomacy, whether that be representing the government or in organizations that have the mission of creating a better world. Being a first-generation university student and the first person in my family to study abroad, I hope to also guide students who come from underrepresented backgrounds, specifically Hispanic students, to dream big, attend university, and potentially study abroad like I did. So, I also see myself being involved in student affairs and student development through volunteer work in my personal time. With my education, I hope to be the first person in my family to receive a Ph.D., and be a scholar on topics relating to my personal experiences with gender, multiculturalism, and immigration.
Why Learning Life? Learning Life’s mission aligns closely to what I believe helps create a more equitable, connected, and peaceful world: making democracy and diplomacy less intimidating and more digestible to empower and encourage citizens to participate in their societies and governments actively. Learning Life strives to develop connected, capable, and caring citizens through the dialogues they facilitate online and offline, which I have seen to be the most impactful and necessary to achieve this mission. I was particularly drawn to the Family Diplomacy Initiative, which brings in families from all over the world and gives them a digital space to talk about the issues they face, spreading awareness to those who did not previously know the nuances of how families are impacted. I have experienced first-hand how dialogue between families can strengthen empathy and understanding that not only positively impacts those within a family unit but individuals that the family interacts with. Additionally, while I had previously worked with a non-profit in my small hometown in Arizona, I had not yet gained the experience of bringing initiatives to life through email, telephone and social media outreach. Learning Life gives me that opportunity. I’m excited to carry these skills into future non-profit work with other organizations, or through my own non-profit.
Kathleen Evans
Year, major, and school: I am a second year International Affairs major at the George Washington University, concentrating in International Development with a minor in Public Health.
Hobbies: I love to crochet in my free time. My favorite thing to crochet is flower bouquets! I also enjoy playing tennis with friends, and reading books on how history is remembered, including wars. At GWU, I am involved with Students for Onehealth, and Model United Nations.
Career aspirations: I hope to attend law school in the future, and work in the sphere of policy and international development. I am particularly interested in learning how to apply what I have learned in development and global health in a legal context, and learning how the law can advance more sustainable growth.
Why Learning Life? I was interested in Learning Life mainly because of its efforts to expand global connection. I believe that encouraging civic engagement is crucial, and I enjoy learning about how dialogue and education can serve as a tool for strengthening democracy. I was particularly interested in the Family Diplomacy Initiative, which encourages cross-cultural dialogue and discussions of diplomacy at the household level. This internship offers the opportunity to gain real experience in outreach and nonprofit work, while aligning directly with work I hope to continue pursuing in the future.
Olivia Holland
Year, major, and school: I am a sophomore at Georgetown University majoring in History with a minor in Education, Inquiry and Justice.
Hobbies: I love singing (I am a member of an a cappella group), playing my instruments (viola and ukulele), listening to music (I most like R&B and pop), reading a good book, like mysteries and fiction classics, and baking with friends! Next year, I am studying abroad and doing research at Oxford University, which I am very excited about!!
Career aspirations: My longer-term goal is to attend law school and pursue a career at the intersection of law and public policy. I am particularly interested in how legal frameworks shape access to educational opportunity and how policy can be used to address systemic inequities in public schools. I hope to build a career focused on using legal and policy tools to expand educational access and strengthen public institutions. Ultimately, I hope to contribute to the development and implementation of policies that make educational systems more just and responsive to the communities they serve.
Why Learning Life? I was interested in interning with Learning Life because I wanted to deepen my understanding of the nonprofit sector while contributing to work that promotes greater democratic participation. Their focus on expanding access to democracy education strongly aligns with my own interests, and I’m drawn to the opportunity to support initiatives that encourage more informed and engaged communities.
Talia Salome
Year, major, and school: I am a Freshman at American University double majoring in Economics and Interdisciplinary Studies (Communications, Legal Studies, Economics, and Government).
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy playing tennis and singing. I played tennis in high school, which taught me discipline, teamwork, and how to stay focused under pressure. I’ve also loved singing since I was a kid and have done singing professionally since elementary school, and it has always been a creative outlet where I can express myself!
Career aspirations: I’m passionate about civic engagement because it allows people to participate in shaping the systems that affect their daily lives. I want to become a lawyer focused on economic and reproductive law so I can help protect people’s rights and ensure that everyone, especially those who are often unheard, have their voices represented and defended.
Why Learning Life? I wanted to intern with Learning Life because I’m passionate about civic engagement and helping communities gain access to opportunities that allow them to grow and succeed. Learning Life’s focus on education, skill-building, and community support really stood out to me because it directly empowers people with tools that can improve their lives. As someone interested in advocacy and law, I was excited by the opportunity to work with an organization that uplifts voices and supports individuals in building stronger futures. Through this internship, I hope to contribute to meaningful community work while gaining hands-on experience in outreach and nonprofit initiatives.
Shaily Sarmiento
Year, major, and school: I am a junior at the University of California, Los Angeles, double-majoring in political science and psychology.
Hobbies: I love going on solo adventures to try different coffee/matcha shops. I have a caffeine addiction, so I deeply enjoy trying new drinks! Another one of my passions is fashion, so I love visiting thrift stores, yard sales, flea markets, and sample sales to let my imagination flow and express my creativity through styling/creating unique looks.
Career aspirations: Once I complete my undergraduate years at UCLA, I would like to take a gap year or two to continue exploring, saving up, and immersing myself in all the industries I would want to pursue: entertainment, sports, and fashion. I want to get experience in each of these industries to see if I see myself in a particular environment, and overall, determine where my passion lies. After a year or two, if I am still passionate about pursuing law, I would want to go to law school and then pass the bar in the city where I see myself practicing. However, if I decide not to continue the legal path, I still would like to obtain my master’s in the field that resonates with me the most.
Why Learning Life? I gravitate towards Learning Life because I have constantly heard about various non-profits, but I also knew very little about them. So, I felt like Learning Life would provide me the chance to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes of a non-profit from the analytics perspective, to outreach, event planning, and so forth. Aside from wanting to learn more about the non-profit sector, I was also drawn to the emphasis and the importance of family diplomacy. Being able to unite families from various backgrounds and countries fosters inclusion and diversity. This can ultimately lead to meaningful, deep conversations where multiple perspectives are shared and people learning from one another.
Chea-Ler Tan
Year, major, and school: I am a junior at Marymount University, majoring in Political Science & International Relations, and Criminal Justice! I am also minoring in Psychology.
Hobbies: In my free time, I love finding new cafes around the area, picking up a mystery or thriller novel, or finding new crochet projects. In the past, I’ve made stuffed toys, baby clothing and keychains.
Career aspirations: I would love to join a justice-based organization in either the public or private sectors. My career goals prior to university were focused on working at the Department of Justice but I have learned what motivates me is the wider mission of serving others and pursuing justice.
Why Learning Life? It was Learning Life’s pursuit of incorporating democracy and diplomacy concepts in one’s every day life that inspired me to look into interning. As an international student from Malaysia, I have loved being apart of the Family Diplomacy Initiative and witnessing the global impact that a DC-based nonprofit can have. As an intern at Learning Life, I am encouraged to bring my ideas to the table and to be intentional about how my daily actions can contribute to a greater cause.
Sameeksha Arutla
Jaelen Bolden 
Andrea Olivas
Kathleen Evans
Olivia Holland
Talia Salome
Shaily Sarmiento
Chea-Ler Tan