At Global Ties Sacramento, our summer internship program is an essential part of our mission to connect Sacramento to the world through impactful international exchange programs. This year, our dedicated interns played a crucial role in welcoming 89 international visitors and contributing to nine successful exchange visits as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Each Intern brings a unique set of skills and experiences that align with our mission of connecting Sacramento with the world and promoting mutual understanding.

Meet our Summer 2024 Interns

• Benjamin Delfino joined as our Diplomacy and International Exchange intern from May to August 2024. A senior at University of Southern California (USC), majoring in International Relations, his volunteer community experience and passion to make meaningful experiences made him an asset to our International Exchange team.  Benjamin brought his passion for public diplomacy to life this summer.

Reflecting on his experience, he shared:

“Global Ties Sacramento has provided an incredible internship opportunity for me this summer as I helped implement their IVLP programming. As I reflect upon this time, I see the growth I’ve made as a professional and global citizen and recognize the invaluable skills I’ve gained that will help me as I begin to build my career. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to strengthen my knowledge of public diplomacy and the impact programs such as IVLP has on the visitors, the local community, and the foreign policy goals of the United States. I enjoyed my time with all the delegations the most as we were able to compare our cultures, lifestyles, and experiences, along with discussing current events throughout the world and here in the United States. Creating those connections and having a more personal understanding of other cultures has been the greatest aspect of this internship.

• Mia Mark joined us as our Diplomacy and International Exchange intern from June to August 2024. A senior at Occidental College, double majoring in Diplomacy and World Affairs and Spanish, her Biliteracy in Spanish and international experience interning in Argentina was incredible valuable in our programming efforts.

Mia brought enthusiasm and insight into her internship, forging meaningful connections with international professionals and exploring the diverse sectors in Sacramento. She reflected:

“ The Global Ties Sacramento Internship has provided me with fundamental experience in my International Relations journey. Meeting with the International Visitor Leadership Program participants is by far the most rewarding part of the position. I have had the opportunity to talk politics with Civil Judges from Pakistan, share music recommendations with psychologists from Türkiye, and discuss the South American economy with investigative journalists from Brazil. I have also been exposed to so many professional resources and business models in the Sacramento Area, which has given me key insight into the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The networking skills and connections I have made are so valuable as I had the chance to put my academic skillset into practice with participants from all over the world.”

• Mia Golden joined us as our Diplomacy and International Exchange intern from June to August 2024. A Rising senior at Rio Americano High School, her experience as a president in mock trial was instrumental in program development.

Mia’s contributions to IVLP programming exemplify the power of curiosity and determination. She shared:

Working to implement the IVLP as an intern with Global Ties Sacramento has been an incredible learning experience. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to meet with delegations of wonderful, accomplished international visitors and local professionals. I’ve enjoyed learning about the differences between the systems of government, justice, and disaster response in the United States and in nations abroad. I was also surprised to learn about the wonderful organizations and resources located in my hometown when researching and drafting proposals. My time with Global Ties Sacramento has motivated me to continue to seek out ways to learn about international relations, foreign policy, and citizen diplomacy, as the experience of meeting with international professionals has been incredibly enriching and is something I hope to continue in my education and beyond.

A Bright Future Ahead

We are proud of Benjamin, Mia Mark, and Mia Golden for their dedication and contributions. They have not only supported our mission but also embodied the core values of international exchange: fostering understanding, building connections, and shaping global citizens.

We look forward to seeing their continued impact on their studies, careers, ands beyond. Thank you to our 2024 interns for making this summer an unforgettable chapter at Global Ties Sacramento.