American Hellenic Institute

 

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College Internship Program

 

The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) offers several internship positions during the year. Interns will have the opportunity to work in an historic building on 16th Street just a few blocks away from the White House in Washington, DC and to experience first hand the excitement and practical understanding for how foreign policy is developed in this country. It will be an experience that they will cherish and appreciate. In the past AHI interns have gone on to fine positions in the public and private sector.

What is the American Hellenic Institute?

The AHI is a 501(c)(6) non-profit tax-exempt business league. AHI and its affiliate   organizations, the American Hellenic Institute Public Affairs Committee (AHIPAC), the American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF), and the AHI Business Network, a division of the AHI, are working together under one roof, to provide a joint program for strengthening United States relations with Greece and Cyprus and within the American Hellenic community.

AHIPAC is the only American Hellenic organization registered with the U.S. Congress under the Lobbying Act. It has initiated legislation on the Aegean, Cyprus, the rule of law, conditions on aid to Turkey, FYROM, protection of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the reopening of the Halki Theological School. Today AHI continues to aggressively address the challenges that affect the Greek American community.

About the AHI Internship:

AHI has had an internship program for about 25 years. AHI offers internships throughout the year. It is Designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in U.S. politics, foreign policy and American government, the internship can serve as a great way to introduce and jump start their career in politics, journalism, lobbying, government, or the nonprofit sector.

The responsibilities of the intern include (but are not limited to) monitoring legislation and congressional hearings, liaison with Congressional offices and lobbying on our issues, conducting research on issues affecting U.S.-Greece-Cyprus relations, preparing memoranda, drafting letters to the Congress and Executive Branch, drafting press releases and assisting with general administrative duties.

The internship is open to college students and graduate students. With respect to high school students, senior or graduates are sometimes accepted. Foreign students are eligible if they have a current student visa and/or work permit. Participants from a variety of academic majors are generally accepted, and all majors are eligible.

The duration of the internship varies from one to several months depending on each student's schedule. During the academic year, they are expected to work at AHI a minimum of 12-15 hours per week and 30 hours during the summer. The internship is unsalaried and we do not provide housing.

Currently we are accepting applications for the summer between June 1 and August 31. Through the generous contributions of two AHI members this year we are able to provide interns with a stipend of $8 per hour. It also provides interns with a $250-500 travel allowance to Washington and back to their point of origin. To qualify for the internship stipend you must be a Greek American, and willing to intern full time between 2 to 12 weeks.

Who are our interns:

Over the years we have had over 100 interns from several US states, Greece, Cyprus and the UK. Some of the universities they’ve come from are Harvard, Yale, Dafts, Georgetown, George Washington, American, Columbia, New York, UCLA, and Cal (Berkely). Some have found jobs here in the DC area while others returned to their hometowns. They tell us that their internships enhanced their learning on how US foreign policy is made in Congress and the Executive Branch, boosted their confidence, and made them more competitive in the job market.

Application Process:

Candidates for AHI should be able to work a minimum of 15 hours per week during the academic year and 35 hours per week during the summer. All foreign students must have a current student visa and/or current work permit.

Qualifications:

  1. Highly motivated, responsible individual with strong research and writing skills and excellent oral communication skills.
  2. Educational concentration in U.S. relations with Greece and Cyprus and related administrative experience.
  3. Ability to handle several tasks at once while working independently or as a team member.

How to Apply:

Submit a copy of your:

  1. the completed AHI Internship Application Form (85K Word Document);
  2. current resume;
  3. current transcripts;
  4. a three-page writing sample; (i.e., school paper that favorably demonstrates your writing skills or articles written in student newspapers or local newspaper);
  5. two letters of recommendations; and

About the Capitol Hill  Internship:

The duration of the summer internship varies depending on each position and runs between the end of May to the end of August. All interns are expected to work a standard eight-hour work day. The internship is unsalaried. The interns will also be invited to attend AHIF events that take place during their internship. Please note that the internship is with no pay.
To apply, qualified applicants should mail.

  1. a cover letter addressed to the office you are applying to (make sure you have your name, address, email address and phone numbers on the letterhead);
  2. a current resume; and
  3. two letters of recommendation.

Greek and Cyprus Embassy

The intern for the Embassy of Greece can either be a Greek American or Greek national; however, he/she must be a graduate student. The Embassy of Cyprus requires interns to be a Cypriot national or holding dual citizenship. The internships last from the end of May till the end of August. Please note that the intership is with no pay.
To apply, qualified applicants should mail.

  1. a cover letter addressed to the office you are applying to (make sure you have your name, address, email address and phone numbers on the letterhead);
  2. a current resume; and
  3. two letters of recommendation.

Earning Internship Credit

Interns are supervised by the AHI staff and follow the guidelines from each university or organization. Students are required to complete their assignments. The AHI Internship Supervisor completes all student accreditation forms to register the student and at the end of the internship evaluation forms are completed and mailed to the university supervisor.

University Internship Programs

We have worked closely with several universities in Washington that offer a semester of study and work in Washington, DC. The program combines a full-time internship with coursework offered at George Washington University, American University and Georgetown University. Classes are taught at the university and students have the option to take one or more classes. Upon successful completion of a semester, students earn college credits (general elective or towards the student’s major). It is imperative that students consult their academic advisor in choosing their internship credit option.

Housing

Interns will be responsible for making housing arrangements. We can provide a list of reasonably priced housing and also website addresses where housing leads are posted.

The application process takes a two weeks with review of the above forms and a telephone interview. For the positions on Capital Hill and the Embassies the process will take longer. We will review the applications and pass them on to the officer who will then contact you directly. Submit all the items via email at yola@ahiworld.org or mail directly to:

Mrs. Yola Pakhchanian
AHI College Intern Program
American Hellenic Institue
1220 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036

 
 

THE AMERICAN HELLENIC Institute (AHI), was founded on August 1, 1974, following Turkey’s invasion of Cyprus with the illegal use of American-supplied arms in violation of U.S. laws and agreements. The AHI initiated the rule of law issue in the Congress in the interests of the U.S., thus changing the face of American politics. <<<Continue>>>

© 2006 American Hellenic Institute