Zoya Hasan, COL ’28, Mechanicsburg, PA
This summer, I interned at the Hudson Institute in Washington, D.C., a think tank focused on foreign policy and international affairs. As a research intern, I supported projects through background research, drafting materials, and tracking developments worldwide, with particular attention to South and Central Asia. The role strengthened my research and writing skills while showing me how organizations like Hudson shape policy discussions in Washington.
What made the summer especially meaningful was experiencing the city itself. Washington’s fast-paced, dynamic atmosphere being centered on global challenges. These past few months I was encouraged to think critically about the connection between ideas and action. Both in the office and throughout the city, I saw firsthand how policymakers, scholars, and analysts contribute to shaping international debates.
The internship was both demanding and rewarding, pushing me to grow as a researcher and adapt to a professional setting. Having the chance to explore and intern in a new city after my first year at Penn was an opportunity that would not have been possible without Career Services; the lessons, memories, and connections I gained are ones I will carry with me throughout my time at the university and beyond.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2025 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
