The IWP Internship Experience: Nuha Abuali

This summer, I had one of the most unique opportunities working as a National Security Research Intern at The Institute of World Politics. As a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania with a strong interest in international law and global affairs, I was looking for a program that could combine academic learning with real-world professional development. My time at IWP exceeded my expectations in both areas.

My research focused on China’s orbital satellite strategy, a component of a broader project comparing the Belt and Road Initiative with U.S. military strategic sealift. I worked under the mentorship of an IWP doctoral advisor, and our weekly meetings provided space for in-depth discussions of sources connected to our research. I was also given the chance to collaborate with other like-minded interns, and it was beyond exciting to explore an area of study that I had not been exposed to before.

One of the most valuable skills I gained from this program came through preparing and delivering weekly intelligence and policy briefings to directors and staff. Speaking to national and global security issues in that setting was initially intimidating, but with practice, it greatly improved my ability to present complex problems clearly and respond confidently to questions under tight time constraints.

In addition to administrative and research-related tasks, interns at IWP are not only encouraged to take advantage of Washington, D.C.’s proximity to federal positions, but are given direct access to briefings with officials from agencies like the CIA, as well as private tours of the Department of Justice, the DIA, and the Pentagon. It was through these events that I actually connected with several Penn alumni working in these organizations. This access is what truly sets IWP apart, providing direct pathways to professional opportunities that are rarely available in other internships.

Nuha Abuali
University of Pennsylvania, Class of 2026
Research Intern

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