More than an Application

I'm going to be frank - Tallinn was not even remotely close to my radar when I applied for the State Department internship. Public Affairs wasn't even my first pick! I mean, I've been studying Russian the past two years - of course my first choice was Russia, my second choice the United Nations. You only get two picks. Let me tell you about the day I got an email from Embassy Tallinn asking if I wanted to be considered for an internship in Estonia. I was sitting in the quietest digital union on campus. I could barely contain my excitement. I reread the email a dozen times, I even refreshed the page to make sure it was real and still in my inbox! Then, I made a phone call. "Mom, I'm being considered for Estonia. I need to let them know by close of business tomorrow." "Go for it," she said - or something like that. And I've never looked back.

We all know what happened - I got accepted, I was placed in Public Affairs, I got my security clearance after a long 4 months of waiting, and here I am in Estonia having the most incredible three months of my life. When I look back, I realize how lucky I am that I even got this internship. I applied for it on a whim, on the day of the deadline, and only because I didn't get into the other program I wanted to get into. Call it whatever you want - fate, destiny, luck, skill - I'm just grateful to be here, grateful that someone at this embassy saw potential in me.

It's no secret my first pick was Pol/Econ. I always mention how glad I am I didn't get what I wanted and got Public Affairs instead. It's not that I don't like the Pol/Econ section or the people there aren't nice - they are some of the kindest people here! I just wouldn't trade my boss, Ali and all the work and FUN I have here in PA for anything. I'm convinced more and more with every passing day that I want to pursue a career in the Foreign Service. It might be difficult, but ultimately from what I can see and from what I've heard it's worth it. The public affairs cone is giving the political cone a run for its money. I'm not sure which cone I'll try to get in to; I guess I still have time to decide. But at this point, nothing is off the table.

Next week is Thanksgiving, and maybe it's corny and cheesy that I want to start giving thanks, but I've been so blessed over the past few months it will take much longer than the day of Thanksgiving to show and tell how thankful I am for everything that has happened to me and for everything that I have.

This blog post is for the people at this embassy to show my appreciation for them and all they do. It is also for all the other embassies around the world who work night and day in good conditions and in horrifying conditions. Even though I am only an intern, I feel as if I am a part of this network of embassies. I hope to one day give other people the same opportunities Embassy Tallinn has given to me. I hope to reciprocate to others all the faith, love, and goodness my embassy team here has shown to me.

Thank you Embassy Tallinn for seeing me as more than just an application.