Spotlight: Summer 2025 Learning Life Interns

Learning Life’s interns do vital work to grow our organization.  This summer, their work includes: assisting with an in-person Democracy Dinner; inviting Washington DC area residents to participate in the second DMV Democracy Festival, including the first Youth Summit on Youth Policymaking, this fall; outreach to thousands of people on Facebook and beyond to help grow the Family Diplomacy Initiative (FDI) worldwide; recruiting volunteer Family Diplomats and Family Diplomacy Ambassadors; identifying promising individuals among the 19,000+ members of FDI’s Facebook group; 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.Arthur Chao

Year, major, and school: I’m an incoming senior at Garth Webb Secondary School in Ontario, Canada, focusing on linguistics, social sciences, and business.
Hobbies: I enjoy playing basketball in the community park, studying behavioral economics and decision-making, and mentoring students through Mock Trial and business competitions (DECA). Outside of academics, I like exploring new perspectives through writing poems, cooking, and discovering underrated boba tea shops.
Career aspirations: I aspire to work at the intersection of language, social impact, and business, but I have deep interests in many fields. Ultimately, I want to work towards being a lawyer. 
Why Learning Life?  I was drawn to Learning Life for its focus on connecting disconnected individuals worldwide to issues that impact all of us. The Family Diplomacy Initiative, in particular, resonates with my interest in bridging cultural diversity through learning language, gastronomy, and traditions of families around the world. I’m excited to be part of this team and global family, and I hope to contribute my skills while learning from a globally engaged community.
Estelle Cohen
Year, major, and school: I am a junior at the George Washington University majoring in international affairs with a dual concentration in international environmental studies and security policy.
Hobbies: I enjoy learning languages, watching movies, doing theatre, and collecting maps.  I’m a polyglot — I speak 5(ish) languages!
Career aspirations: I hope to pursue a career in international relations at the intersection of environmental studies and foreign policy.  I aspire  to work globally to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Why Learning Life?  As a former exchange student, I think that citizen diplomacy is the most important and effective form of international peacebuilding. I was inspired by Learning Life’s Family Diplomacy Initiative and Citizen Diplomacy International.  and I am so thrilled to be able to contribute to these impactful projects!
Azmie Cruz
Year, major, and school: I am studying international relations with a concentration in Latin American politics as a third-year student at Davidson College.
Hobbies: Memorable times with meaningful people bring me maximum joy.  I also like exploring a new city, finding a new favorite restaurant or cafe (bonus points if it’s a new cuisine), gaining knowledge about something new via my algorithm’s recommendations, getting my joints moving whether it be a relaxing stroll, a good tennis rally, or a gym session with friends, journaling while in a cozy nook, and connecting with people who have niche interests.
Career aspirations: I am interested in transforming the pathways to citizenship, especially for Latin American countries. I am considering work as an immigration lawyer to understand the system and work directly with the immigrants, a U.S. State Department foreign service officer bridging gaps in diplomacy to foster more understanding between countries, or otherwise serving in foreign policy to get hands-on experience with creating solutions that will impact generations.  I am open to studying international or immigration law, getting a master’s in foreign policy and studying for the foreign service exam, or conducting doctoral research on immigration policies. One thing is for sure: I am keen on continuing my education after college to gain more tools to make an impact.
Why Learning Life?  I was impressed with Learning Life’s ability to connect seemingly unrelated people to each other. I had read about Learning Life’s story thanks to an alum at my school. She shared with me the impact she made on connecting families across the world to each other. Themes of family, education, and advocacy resonated with my experiences since my high school years. Learning life aligned with my values and the type of people we need more of in this world.
My time with Learning Life has allowed me to gain more experience with data tracing and juggling multiple tasks at once; I started my internship while I was conducting a teaching internship in Spain! Having the flexibility to do my internship tasks remotely with Learning Life gave me the opportunity to teach and explore Spain at the same time.
Ava Eckburg
Year, major, and school: I am a rising senior at the University of California, Irvine, where I am double majoring in political science and economics.Hobbies: In my free time, I love watching and playing sports. I’m a big fan of the Boston Bruins and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.  I also serve as the captain of UC Irvine’s club ultimate frisbee team.

Career aspirations: I aspire to pursue a career in public service that combines advocacy and research to develop equitable, data-driven policy solutions. My experiences in political campaigns, legislative offices, and academic research have deepened my passion for shaping policy that promotes the public good.  I hope to continue this work through government, nonprofit, or civic organizations.

Why Learning Life?  I became interested in Learning Life because of its commitment to educating the public, and promoting stronger democracy through civic engagement. Creating impactful education and encouraging better global citizenship are deeply important to me. As an intern, I’m excited to contribute my background in research, policy analysis, and community outreach to support Learning Life’s democracy initiatives. I look forward to assisting with targeted advocacy, fundraising, and marketing efforts, and to learning more about nonprofit work. This internship offers a meaningful opportunity to further my passion for public service while gaining valuable experience in democracy and diplomacy work.

Justin Ingui
Year, major and school: I’m a rising senior in vocal performance and political science at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Hobbies: I love listening to classical music, drawing, and thrifting.  I am also a huge foodie, and love exploring different restaurants and going to cafes!
Career aspirations: I aspire to build a career in arts advocacy and public policy with a focus on making civic education and access to the arts  more equitable and inclusive.  I believe that working within cultural institutions, government agencies and international organizations can provide valuable experience in this field.  I am also motivated to explore other opportunities that allow me to support diplomacy and the arts on a global scale while remaining open to other pathways!
Why Learning Life? I joined Learning Life because I was drawn to its mission deepening participation in democracy and diplomacy through innovative, community based approaches such as the Democracy Dinners.  As someone passionate about civic engagement, international relations, and arts advocacy, I was excited by Learning Life’s unique emphasis on connecting people from all walks of life—especially families—to global issues and cross-cultural dialogue. The opportunity to contribute to initiatives like the Family Diplomacy Initiative aligned closely with my interests in inclusive public policy and global education. I view Learning Life as a place where I could apply my skills and grow professionally while supporting a vision of democracy that is more participatory, accessible, and globally minded.
Nghi Le
Year, major, and school: I’m from the University of California, Irvine, recently graduated in June 2025 with a major in political science.
Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy going to the gym every weekday, practicing my drawing, reading nonfiction, playing video games, and exploring nature by going on hikes. I am also an avid collector of vinyls and comic books.
Career aspirations: I am considering attending graduate school to eventually work as a diplomat or in academia as a professor of international relations.  I am also considering studying law and becoming an international lawyer. Regardless, I want to work in the sphere of international affairs, whether that be in the government or another organization.
Why Learning Life?  As someone who is passionate about world affairs, interning at Learning Life is the perfect opportunity to explore the field in a way that actually affects the lives of people across the world in a positive way. I was drawn to Learning Life due to its vast global outreach, allowing us to connect to people across borders from different countries and continents online, and come together to celebrate our strength in diversity.  I am always intrigued by cultures and customs different from my own.  Interning at Learning Life, especially through the family diplomacy and citizen diplomacy programs, allows me to experience and get an inside look on how families across the world live, and others can get to see the customs of my own family as well. Being a part of Learning Life will cultivate my global skills and mindset needed to pursue my future professional ambitions.
Juan Pozo

Year, major, and school: I’m a senior at Claremont McKenna College majoring in public policy with a minor in leadership.

Hobbies: I enjoy playing soccer, working out, exploring new cuisines, and traveling to new places whenever I get the chance.

Career aspirations: After college, I plan to pursue a master’s in public policy. I aspire to work in policy consulting, with a focus on immigration or education policy, where I can help shape solutions that improve people’s lives and expand opportunity.

Why Learning Life? I was drawn to Learning Life because of its innovative approach to making democracy and diplomacy more accessible to everyday people.  The mission to engage people beyond traditional political institutions, especially through the Family Diplomacy Initiative, resonated with my interest in inclusive policymaking.  I appreciate Learning Life’s emphasis on civic education and community-building, and I’m excited to contribute to a team that’s rethinking how policy connects with people’s lived experience.

Madelyn Vohland

Year, major, and school: I am an incoming junior at Colgate University, majoring in political science and educational studies. 

Hobbies: I enjoy spending time outside as much as possible, whether I’m hiking to a waterfall, running in nature, or playing beach volleyball.  I also love to read, and I dream of owning a home library filled with books by my favorite authors such as Toni Morrison, Joan Didion, and Jane Ward.

Career aspirations: After attending law school, I would like to work at the intersection of policy, advocacy and education, potentially within legislative or legal sectors. In school, my research focuses on the experiences of individuals with disabilities within schools, and I hope to continue serving these communities through public policy and law. Ultimately, I’m excited to explore the interconnectedness of politics and education further while also uplifting underrepresented communities.

Why Learning Life?  I was drawn to Learning Life because of its focus on democracy and education, where conceptions of civic engagement and learning expand beyond formal education and political settings. The DMV Democracy Learning Community shares my commitment to making democratic participation more accessible and inclusive through educational and social opportunities. Regarding diplomacy, I have enjoyed participating in the Family Diplomacy Initiative, which has inspired me to create connections internationally and to consider the critical ways that families should inform advocacy and policy.  Interning with Learning Life allowed me to become a part of a community that values cooperation and understanding in an increasingly connected world.

Kaitlyn Wiemann
Year, major, and school: I’m a senior majoring in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles.Hobbies: I enjoy running, writing, and traveling to new places. I also love going to museums, trying new restaurants, and stepping outside of my comfort zone!

Career aspirations: I aspire to attend law school and build a career dedicated to shaping and advancing public policy. My ultimate goal is to serve as a congresswoman, where I can advocate for women’s reproductive rights and champion legislation that promotes equality and social justice. In the future, I hope to help write and pass laws that protect fundamental freedoms and expand opportunities for those who need them the most!

Why Learning Life? I chose to intern at Learning Life because its focus on democracy and diplomacy immediately resonated with me. At a time when democracy faces challenges around the globe, I believe it’s crucial to support organizations that work to strengthen democratic values and bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world. Learning Life’s commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue, civic engagement, and cross-cultural understanding deeply connects with my own drive to help build a more compassionate and connected society. I am also especially drawn to Learning Life’s collaborative environment, where working closely in small teams and engaging directly with leadership offers invaluable internship experience. Learning Life is the ideal place for me to learn, grow, and contribute meaningfully to a mission I wholeheartedly believe in.