The IWP Fellowship Experience: Miriam Fahmy

My time at The Institute of World Politics as a Civic Thought and Statecraft Fellow was a meaningful experience that helped me grow both academically and professionally. This fellowship experience was especially rewarding, considering it was my first professional experience as a senior studying government and international affairs. The program was particularly eye-opening and helped me narrow down my career path options and develop the skills necessary for these career choices. For example, I got the opportunity to develop my public speaking skills through the weekly intelligence and policy briefings the interns and fellows had to deliver. Each briefing helped me refine my ability to think critically, organize my thoughts, and present ideas in a clear and engaging way.

The diplomacy simulation we participated in was another wonderful learning opportunity. This game taught us the importance of negotiation and communication when there is a lack of information during a time when one nation’s interests are at risk. It gave us the chance to see how important communication skills are, especially as many of the professionals we interacted with stressed the importance of honing it.

The outings around Washington, D.C. were another valuable part of the program. Visiting different institutions and hearing from experts working in national security, policymaking, intelligence, and diplomacy helped bridge the gap between academics and the real-world field. I really appreciated the opportunity to learn directly from people who are actively working in these areas. The guest speakers in the Professional Development Series also offered helpful insights into their career paths and shared practical advice for students interested in similar fields.

Finally, getting the opportunity to network and work with my fellow interns who are interested in the same career paths made the cohort experience particularly meaningful. Not only was I able to learn from them throughout the program, but I also got the chance to connect with them over academia, war games, and during our D.C. outings every Wednesday. Additionally, it was nice getting to work with and learn from IWP staff, who made this program possible!

Miriam Fahmy
George Mason University, Class of 2026
Civic Thought and Statecraft Fellow