Learning Life’s interns do vital work to grow our organization and advance our mission. Importantly, this summer, Learning Life started recruiting middle and high school students from the DC region to serve as Democracy Interns in summer-fall (June-October), fall (August-December) and spring (January-May). Their work includes assisting with in-person Democracy Dinners; research for fundraising, program content and growth; and outreach to thousands of people via email, phone and social media about our programs and projects, including the thirdDemocracy Festival and the second Youth Summit on Youth Policymaking in Washington, DC this fall. Our university interns below are also assisting our international Family Diplomacy Initiative and Citizen Diplomacy International programs. Learning Life is very grateful for all our interns’ dedicated work. You can learn a little about each of our interns below.
Avery Chen
Year, major, and school: I am a rising sophomore at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC.
Hobbies: I love playing ultimate frisbee, rowing, and running. I currently run cross-country and row crew at my school. Otherwise, I enjoy baking. My favorite baked goods to make are brown sugar cookies and strawberry shortcakes.
Career aspirations: In the future, I aspire to work in financial or medical policy. These fields stand out to me, as I am especially interested in advocating for others and working to abolish harmful policies people may not be aware of.
Why Learning Life? I am drawn to Learning Life’s mission of spreading participation in the DMV and the broader world. It is important for people to exercise their right to democracy, yet it is too often overlooked for a variety of reasons. It is crucial for citizens to share their thoughts and advocate for themselves, and a step towards that is to increase participation in democracy.
Azmie Cruz
Year, major, and school: I am a senior studying International Relations and Latin American Studies at Davidson College.
Hobbies: As a fan of novelties, I enjoy getting lost in a new city. I enjoy all the self-discovery that comes with being in a new setting. You can catch me chatting with a stranger or quietly daydreaming with a good song playing in my earphones. I also sing classical opera and can sustain a good tennis rally.
Career aspirations: My greatest aspiration is to transform the pathways to citizenship for our hardworking immigrant populations. I also aspire to work as a U.S. diplomat to help reshape international relations in this post-neoliberal world.
Why Learning Life? All my life, I have worked both behind-the-scenes and on-the-ground with nonprofits, so gaining more experience into the ways citizen diplomacy and education intersect meshes well with my career goals. I believe in fostering a more interconnected world that relies on relationships and knowledge-sharing.
Arthur Kientz
Year, major, and school: I am a rising senior at George Washington University studying International Affairs, with a concentration in Europe and Eurasia.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy reading and listening to podcasts and videos, especially about geopolitics, history and fantasy. I am a huge fan of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter and regularly watch and listen to content on them. I also enjoy strategy games, both board games and video games. I’m also a big foodie, and love trying new cuisines and recipes. Outdoors, I’m a huge walker and hiking enthusiast. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is hiking in the mountains, especially The Alps.
Career aspirations: I hope to continue my career in international affairs, particularly in trans-Atlantic relations in order to foster connections and greater cooperation between the United States and European nations. I would like to contribute to this by working for a think tank that specializes in Euro-American relations and European policy. As a dual Franco-American citizen, I feel like there is a lot of potential for renewed alliance, despite recent strains on the partnership, so I hope to play a role in helping that happen.
Why Learning Life? My work with Learning Life is driven by the values of diplomacy and democracy it seeks to spread, particularly in regards to family diplomacy and reaching out across borders. As someone deeply committed to peace and greater international understanding, such a mission fits very well with my own career goals and what I would like to do in the field of international affairs. Learning Life offers an amazing opportunity for me to advance that and make a meaningful contribution to spreading these ideals. Through Learning Life, I am also gaining valuable insight into what nonprofit work is like, and how it operates, which helps me further my own and Learning Life’s goals.
Giselle Leblanc
Year, major, and school: I am a rising junior at Howard University majoring in Political Science with a double minor in Legal Communications and Sociology.
Hobbies: Some of my hobbies include swimming, drawing, photography, and fashion. Growing up, I swam competitively for 13 years, and while I currently do not swim in college, I like to swim as one of my hobbies. I am also a strong advocate for having a creative outlet because I believe that it is a way that allows you to truly express yourself. Drawing, photography, and fashion shape my personality in different ways and bring me peace of mind. I also find that doing creative things with others can foster a strong, healthy friendship, so one of my favorite pastimes includes thrifting with friends, which allows me to indulge in fashion on a deeper level by exchanging styles and opinions.
Career aspirations: From a young age, I was always intrigued by the socioeconomic differences and issues that surrounded me. Often, these issues seemed fixable, yet I would find them left unchallenged. Learning and seeing how the legal and societal systems around me were set up to make others like myself not succeed or be involved with decisions being made ultimately led me to want to pursue a career in public policy. Going to law school and becoming an attorney is something I envision for myself, and how I plan to help create equal opportunities for marginalized communities.
Why Learning Life? I discovered Learning Life through a mutual friend who was once an intern, and after learning more about the organization and its mission to make the world a more democratic and diplomatic place for everyone, I was determined to get myself involved. Prior to applying for the internship, I signed up to receive emails, which constantly led me back to visiting Learning Life’s website. After reading over the work that Learning Life produces, such as the DMV Democracy Festival, I was excited to contribute my time to the nonprofit. Coming from a diverse background myself, I was able to see how democracy was inaccessible to some people while others dominate politics for their benefit. As I hope to become an advocate, it’s important for me to gain experience doing advocacy work and give my time to making people more civically minded and involved with the decisions being made on their behalf.
Astrid Leppig
Year, major, and school: I am a rising senior at the School Without Walls High School in Washington, D.C.
Hobbies: In my free time, I love walking around and exploring different neighborhoods in DC. I always enjoy discovering a new cafe, book store, or park. I also love trying a wide range of different cuisines that the city has to offer.
Career Aspirations: In college, I hope to pursue fields of study related to political science or history. I would love to do research, and find an intersection in both of these fields. Much farther in the future, I may attend law school, but as of right now, I am unsure what type of law fascinates me most.
Why Learning Life? I am interning with Learning Life because I feel my personal values strongly align with Learning Life’s mission. I believe that in a society that is becoming increasingly polarized, promoting civic education and engagement among youth is incredibly important. I wanted to contribute to a cause I care deeply about.
Muhammad Pate
Year, major, and school: I am a rising junior at Georgetown Prep. I am especially interested in science and healthcare, and aim to study a pre-med related field in college.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, swimming, spending time with friends and family, and playing video games such as Rocket League and Call of Duty. I also enjoy following sports and learning about current events and issues that affect society.
Career aspirations: I hope to attend college on the West Coast and eventually become a doctor. My interest in medicine comes from seeing the impact the field has had on my family; both my dad and one of my sisters are doctors. Their dedication to helping others has inspired me to pursue a career where I can make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Why Learning Life? I was interested in Learning Life because two of my sisters previously participated in the program and had great experiences. Their involvement encouraged me to learn more about the organization. I am also interested in learning more about democracy, diplomacy, and how societies function. Learning Life provides a unique opportunity to explore these topics while working with others who are passionate about creating positive change.
Dylan Sood
Year, major, and school: I am a rising junior at the Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy watching political and legal thrillers and reading mystery books. I also enjoy being active by playing tennis and running. I enjoy traveling, and the best place I’ve been to is Greece. I really like trying new foods from different cultures, and generally learning about them. Lastly, I like hanging out with friends and going bowling!
Career aspirations: I would like to major in something related to politics or the social sciences and then attend law school. I would like to combine my passion for math with the law to become an IP (intellectual property) lawyer, and eventually become a federal judge.
Why Learning Life? I am interested in Learning Life because of its mission to inspire all people to be active participants in democracy. No matter your age or background, you can still participate in democracy and help ensure your voice is heard. I think it is very important that young people, especially, have their voices heard, given that we cannot vote at the ballot box, but there are other ways to advocate for what is important to us.
Leo Stern
Year, major, and school: I am a rising Senior at American University. My major is CLEG (communications, legal institutions, economics, and government) with a minor in economics.
Hobbies: I love the outdoors, meeting new people, and going on hikes and walks. I’m also passionate about learning Spanish. At American University I partake in the Outdoors Club and spend time with friends exploring DC and getting involved in volunteering.
Career aspirations: After obtaining my undergraduate degree, I hope to attend law school and pursue a career in tax or family law. I am also interested in doing a peace core after undergraduate.
Why Learning Life? I was interested in Learning Life because of its desire to strengthen democracy by creating productive dialogue and civic engagement. As a CLEG student with interests in law, public policy, and community service, I was excited by the opportunity to contribute in ways that help people become more active participants in their communities while gaining experience in the nonprofit sector.
Mikelle Washington
Year, major, and school: I am an 8th grader at DC International School in Washington, DC. I am a part of the International Bachelor Learning Track. Alongside English, I am fluent in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Hobbies: I play many sports currently, and have played a lot of sports in the past. I run track (hurdles), cheer, and am training to be an Olympic weightlifter. I also listen to music in my free time to relax or just enjoy it. I listen to many types of music, but my favorite is rap or RNB.
Career aspirations: I wish to be a bicoastal birth and delivery nurse, or go to law school. I aspire to be a nurse mainly because I enjoy helping people to the fullest extent. I believe that being kind and helping others can always pay back when you may need it. I have a passion for learning about nursing. Being in a place where everyone is there to help really inspires me. I feel the same passion about law. I think being helpful in any scenario can change someone’s life, and they will usually be willing to be helpful in turn.
Why Learning Life? I was originally interested in Learning Life because it was an internship with a nonprofit organization given that I wasn’t very involved with nonprofits around me. Later, I found that Learning Life focuses a lot on youth and young adults. I think Learning Life can help me and many other young people be more involved in democracy and society today. I find that important because my nursing or law career aspirations aim to work for the benefit of society. To know and to be more aware of things going on in society today can be helpful in the future.
Leeona Yonas
Year, major, and school: I am a rising junior at British International School in Washington, DC.
Hobbies: My main hobbies are sports such as volleyball and basketball. Another thing I enjoy doing is cooking and baking, like pastas and chocolate chip cookies. I also like to discover new cafes in the area with my mom.
Career aspirations: In college, I would like to major in international relations, then go to law school. At the moment I’m torn between becoming an international lawyer or a corporate lawyer.
Why Learning Life? I chose to intern at Learning Life because I wanted to be part of an organization that makes a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I’ve always enjoyed helping others, and Learning Life’s mission of supporting families and building stronger communities really stood out to me. Another reason was the Family Diplomacy Initiative, as I mostly grew up abroad, this really piqued my interest as I was able to observe people from all over the world come together and speak about issues that affected them and the world we live in.
Spotlight: Spring 2026 Learning Life Interns
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.
2026 Family Diplomacy Dialogues Launch March 15
Join Learning Life via Zoom Sunday, March 15, for the first of nine monthly Family Diplomacy (FD) Dialogues in 2026! From March to November 2026, on the third Sunday of each month at 12:00-1:30pm ET (New York / Washington DC time), through the FD Dialogues via Zoom, participants will learn about families across the world, and five major challenges they face: war, poverty, climate change, gender-based violence, and the internet (online addictions, bullying, scams, sexual predation, etc.). Each FD Dialogue will feature short presentations on the date’s topic (see the poster below for topics and dates), followed by participatory discussion where Dialogue participants get a chance to ask questions, comment, and/or share their own family experience. When possible, Learning Life will invite relevant scholars and advocates to help inform the discussion.
“The FD Dialogues are a simple, accessible, personal and participatory way to regularly practice family diplomacy, by connecting people online across countries and other lines of difference, to talk about one of the most basic, important, and widely valued institutions — the family — and the challenges families face” explains Learning Life’s founder, Paul Lachelier. “The Dialogues should serve to engage more people across the world in family diplomacy as Learning Life continues to build the FDI network worldwide.”
The FD Dialogues are part of Learning Life’s Family Diplomacy Initiative. FDI is an ambitious, grassroots effort to connect, train and empower a growing international corps of volunteer family diplomats (FDs) and Family Diplomacy Ambassadors (FDAs) to participate in decision-making at local to global levels. Learning Life envisions a world more connected and caring because every family has one or more FDs and FDAs networked with others across the globe, and these citizen diplomats together advocate effectively for the needs, concerns and aspirations of families worldwide via nonprofits, businesses, media and governments.
Want to be notified when the FD dialogues happen? Sign up for the email Family Diplomacy Dispatch, and join FDI on Facebook, and you will get dialogue dates and updates, plus interesting information about family life worldwide.
If you or your family would like to help advance family diplomacy, you can apply to serve as Family Diplomats (FDs), or Family Diplomacy Ambassadors (FDAs). Before applying, we strongly encourage you to find at least one other member of your family willing to serve with you since this is family diplomacy. Details about the FD and FDA roles here.
The 2026 Citizen Diplomacy International Meeting Dates
Learning Life is pleased to announce the 2026 Citizen Diplomacy International quarterly meeting dates and topics, as follows:
Wednesday, March 4, 12:00-1:30pm: Youth in Citizen Diplomacy
Tuesday, June 2, 11:00am-12:30pm: Development Diplomacy
Wednesday, September 2, 12:00-1:30pm: Peace Diplomacy
Tuesday, December 1, 11:00am-12:30pm: Family Diplomacy & Climate Change
Due to globalization, the internet, rising education levels, and long-term democratization, citizen diplomacy (i.e., citizen communication and cooperation across national borders) is growing, and becoming a more important part of diplomacy and international affairs.
Citizen Diplomacy International gathers diplomacy scholars, students, practitioners, and observers every three months online via Zoom for 1.5 hours to share news and presentations on citizen diplomacy (CD) research and practice, local to global, with an eye to building a vibrant global CD sector for a more participatory, equitable and sustainable world.
Sign up to get email alerts about CDI meetings, and reports from those meetings.
If you would like to get access to all of Learning Life’s democracy and diplomacy programs, join the Democracy and Diplomacy Community.
Avery Chen
Azmie Cruz
Arthur Kientz
Giselle Leblanc
Astrid Leppig
Muhammad Pate
Dylan Sood
Leo Stern
Mikelle Washington
Leeona Yonas
