Interning At The Islamic Free Market Institute

Flora’s Interning Experience
By Flora Kurti

In the spring of 2002, I had the exclusive opportunity to intern at the Islamic Free Market Institute. Although it has been over a year, it remains a vivid experience, which daily influences my life and career. At the conclusion of my internship, I had to compose a defense letter justifying academic credit for this internship. The excerpts below are some of its highlights:

"This semester has been an amazing learning experience, and as a result of it I have grown more mature professionally, academically, as well as on a personal level. Though challenging at times, the internship at the Institute has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Not only was a part of a professional working environment, but I also felt like part of a family. While at the Institute, I had the opportunity to work on many assignments, one of which included the Annual Qatari-American Conference on Free Markets and Democracy. Not only did I help with the organization and management of this conference, but I also got to attend it."

While at the Institute, I also got to attend many meetings and events. Amongst the people I met were high-ranking officials and diplomats, culminating with the President of the United States, Mr. George W. Bush. Some of the events I attended took place on Capitol Hill, the White House, as well as different Embassies.

"In retrospect, the Institute allowed me the opportunity to learn first hand about domestic and foreign policy. It was at the Institute, where I learned about the world of politics, and it was there where I got the inspiration to move to Washington, D.C., and further my involvement in the political arena." Therefore, not only has the Institute shaped my political views, but it has also shaped my way of life.

Ryan’s Interning Experience
by Ryan Weld

Growing up in a small town in West Virginia my whole life, I had never been exposed to much diversity before beginning my summer at the Islamic Institute. I was nervous about moving to Washington and my new internship, but upon arriving at II, those fears quickly disappeared. From day one, the staff treated me as one of their own, and I immediately felt that I was part of the group. But it was not just the people there that made me realize that I had found the right place, it was the work also. Whether it was doing research at the Library of Congress, attending the weekly Wednesday meetings, or writing the Friday Brief, I knew that I was making an important contribution to the workings of the Institute.

I strongly recommend anyone interested in pursuing an internship with the Institute do so. The people there cared for me not only while I was working for them, but have continued to do so, helping me in many facets of my post-graduation life. If you have any questions about being an intern at II, please feel free to contact me at rwilliamweld@yahoo.com.