Nairobi Summer Internship
Margaret
Experience Information
Employer: U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya
Job Title: Summer Hire- Consular Assistant
Major: International Relations
Received Credit: Yes
Paid: Yes
Abroad: No
Description of the Organization
The U.S. Embassy located in Nairobi, Kenya is a diplomatic mission headed by Ambassador Robert F. Godec. The Consular Section is a branch of the State Department that is further divided into four sections: Fraud Prevention Unit (FPU), Immigrant Visa/Diversity Visa Unit (IV/DV), Non-Immigrant Visa Unit (NIV), and American Citizen Services (ACS).
Description of the Tasks/Projects Completed
" Update the Duty Books, which are given to provide guidance for Duty Officers handling difficult emergencies including deaths, violent and nonviolent crimes, theft and robberies, and Americans stranded at the airport. " Send out updated lists of Americans residing in each zone throughout the region to the corresponding wardens. " Organize and compile a manifest of all Juba Evacuation cases. " Complete and clear pending Juba Evacuation cases. " Send out letters to wardens informing them of a new aspect of their service " Compile a list of pending diplomatic passports and follow-up with the list after we receive a new batch of diplomatic passports through the mail. " Respond to emails in the inbox NairobiTownHall@state.gov and compile a comprehensive list of Americans citizens attending the May 29th Town Hall meeting at the CMR. " Email letters to new registrants informing them of what zone they reside in and who their warden is and remove the two months of backlog. " Create the latest version of the ACS Newsletter to include remarks from the Town Hall and inform Americans about emergency preparedness. " Updated spreadsheet with handwritten information for the DNA unit and remove six months of backlog.
Skills/Knowledge Gained Through The Experience
I really gained experience working with a vast array of people, personality types, cultures, and even languages. Both my colleagues and the customers that I served were wide ranging in their uniqueness, which made each one different to work with as well as interesting and a valuable opportunity for a learning experience.
Favorite Part of the Experience
The people that I got to work with were phenomenal, all very accepting and wonderfully kind people. I got to know each of them personally as well as professionally, which made for a really excellent working environment where everyone could thrive. There was always laughing, joking, and music playing so the work environment really flourished and was something to look forward to.
How the Experience Influenced Future Career Goals
Yes, absolutely! Working in this office really kick-started my interest in becoming a Foreign Service Officer and my addition of my second major of International Relations. When I join the Foreign Service, I really would like to become a Consular Officer as opposed to any other type of officer in the State Department.