What inspired you to take part in the Global Internship Program, and how did UCLA Luskin help prepare you for this experience?
Going into my undergrad, studying or working abroad was not initially a part of my plan. However, while I was working in D.C. during the fall quarter of my second year, my internship supervisor on Capitol Hill encouraged me to take advantage of any opportunities to go abroad during my undergrad at UCLA. I quickly started researching, and I eventually decided that working abroad in Berlin over summer would be the perfect experience for me to strengthen my professional portfolio and explore a new living environment. UCLA Luskin has in particular provided me with the opportunity to earn credit for my major through the PUB AFF 195CE class, which allowed me to consistently reflect on my work experience, think about room for growth, and turn my newfound knowledge into academic exploration as well.
Can you tell us about your internship placement in Germany — what kind of work did you do, and how did it align with your academic or career interests?
This summer, I worked at a company that represents a leading online classifieds marketplace, Adevinta. Adevinta represents over 25 digital brands across 10 EU countries, with a total of 120M+ users. In Germany, I worked specifically for the in-house legal team of the German brands mobile.de and Kleinanzeigen, which are second-hand online marketplaces for cars and household items, respectively. In my role, I worked mostly on projects regarding legal compliance and regulatory and public affairs, which was the perfect intersection between the company’s specialty and my background in policy. Although this was one of my first opportunities working in the private sector, it showed me what types of skills are transferable across different industries, and I was able to use my previous public sector experience to succeed.
What were some of the most valuable skills or insights you gained during your internship that you’ll carry into your future studies or career?
As a large online classifieds company, tech has a large presence in Adevinta’s work culture. As a part of my onboarding process for the company, I took multiple courses on AI use and how Adevinta as a company has integrated AI use to create efficiency in its everyday operations. One of my projects even consisted of updating an internal AI chatbot tool to give accurate preliminary legal assessments for company compliance to the EU AI Act, an recently passed AI regulation law. This experience revealed to me how embracing technological advancements can enhance and optimize organizational operations, which is a skill I hope to carry onto future internship opportunities and my career.
Was there a moment or project during your internship that felt especially meaningful or eye-opening to you?
One of my favorite experiences throughout my internship was getting to know my colleagues, who were from all over the world. I got along especially well with my colleague Nicolaus, a legal counsel for the Kleinanzeigen branch of Adevinta. As a Berlin local, he gave me lots of recommendations for my time in Germany and also told me many stories about his time in college when he studied law and his experience when he participated in the rotational clerkship program that is mandatory for all prospective lawyers in Germany. We bonded over our shared interest in politics, where we would exchange about the differences between U.S. and German politics and their positioning in the global landscape. Through an interview I conducted with him for my PUB AFF 195CE class, I also got the opportunity to get to know him, his upbringing, and career history and aspirations better. Despite growing up and living in totally different locations, I found it to be extremely meaningful to connect with my colleague on our shared interests and had a lot of fun exchanging our political observations and opinions.
How has this experience shaped your perspective on public affairs or your role in creating positive change in the world?
This internship showed me how deeply intertwined private and public affairs are, and how both private and public affairs can spearhead innovation for the better. For example, using my knowledge of how AI can make company operations more efficient now, I plan on exploring academically and professionally how AI can be used to elevate public sector operations and services.
How did working in a global context (or with an international organization) broaden your understanding of public affairs and the impact of your work?
As a part of my internship with Adevinta, I learned a lot about the EU AI Act, and how it is the most globally comprehensive AI governance regulatory framework at its large scale. Through reading more about this piece of legislation, although it is EU-based, I learned more about how this act has influenced U.S.-based conversations about AI governance as well. This helped me recognize how understanding global current events and political trends can help me strengthen my knowledge of domestic government affairs.
