Internships
Want to work with us?
Send a CV, cover letter, and writing sample to experts@wpscouncil.org.
Intern
Maria Razborova is a junior at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where she is majoring in International Politics and Security with a minor in French. Her academic interests include military security, intelligence analysis and diplomacy, with a particular focus on Russia and the post-Soviet region. As an intern at the American Council on Women, Peace, and Security, she is supporting research on artificial intelligence and automation while assisting with organizational communications. She believes that the Women, Peace, and Security agenda is essential to maintaining U.S. leadership by harnessing the full breadth of American talent to strengthen national security and improve our ability to compete in an increasingly complex strategic environment.
Maria A. Razborova
Intern
Esther “Jihea” So is a junior attending The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, where she studies International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and a minor in Economics. Her personal and professional interests are centered around political theory and philosophy, human and women’s rights, peacekeeping, and writing/composition. As an intern with the American Council on Women, Peace, and Security, she focuses on research regarding the persecution of women in conflict-affected regions and the application of Women, Peace, and Security frameworks to international challenges. She believes that the Women, Peace, and Security mission will play a vital role in advancing women’s rights and liberties globally by leveraging American leadership, diplomatic engagement, and international cooperation to promote lasting peace and security.
Esther “Jihea” So
Intern Emeritus
Philip Tozzi is a former intern at the American council on Women, Peace, and Security. He primarily works on the blog Fortis!
Philip is a fourth year student at the University of St Andrews studying Latin and Ancient History with a focus on late antiquity and Roman imperialism.
Philip Tozzi
Intern Emeritus
Chris Jayasinghe is an undergraduate student at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg Virginia. Chris is majoring in Psychology and minoring in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics. In 2022 and 2023, Chris supported the resettlement of Afghan refugees in the Blacksburg-Christiansburg, Virginia area. He developed a website, app, and videos to assist future Americans navigate the legal naturalization process. Chris is fluent in Sinhalese. At ACWPS, he focuses on policy briefs and communications.
Chris Jayasinghe
Intern Emerita
Sarah Ogden received her degree from Virginia Tech. Sarah was born in Cairo, Egypt, and lived there until 2013, when she moved to Naples, Florida. At Virginia Tech, she is pursued a double major in Political Science and Arabic with a minor in Middle East History. She is fluent in the Egyptian-Arabic dialect and relatively proficient in the formal and Levantine dialects.
Sarah was involved in the First-Year Leadership Experience Program (FLEX) at Virginia Tech, where she served as a mentor to approximately 30 first-year students and guided them throughout the process of social change and leadership development. She was also involved in the Student Alumni Associates (SAA), earning the moniker of “the 100 most spirited Hokies,” where she served as the Director of Internal Affairs. Sarah also was involved in the Diplomacy Lab at Virginia Tech, a collaborative research project with the U.S. State Department (CSO Bureau), where she served as a team lead for research.
Now, she’s joined Delaware ADR LLC as a full-time Practice Assistant.
Sarah Ogden
Intern Spotlight
A conversation with former intern Chris Jayasinghe
Why is Women, Peace, and Security important to you?
WPS is important to me because I've always been interested in foreign policy and security, but working on WPS showed me a side of that field that often gets overlooked. Real security isn't just about strategy and defense; it's about whether women and girls are safe, heard, and included in the decisions that shape their communities. That's stuck with me.
In a sentence, how would you describe your internship experience at ACWPS?
My internship at ACWPS focused on communications and outreach, helping share the Council's research, events, and advocacy work with a wider audience.
How did you hear about ACWPS?
I heard about ACWPS through one of my best friends, Peter Tozzi, whom I met at Virginia Tech. I was looking for volunteer opportunities and experience in policy, and Peter introduced me to Dr. Yoshihara, who brought me on as a communications intern. She has shared so much wisdom and knowledge with me during my time working with her, and I’m forever grateful for the opportunities she gave me, including the chance to visit the White House a couple of times.
What topic within WPS interests you the most?
I'm most drawn to the experience of survivors of wartime violence, particularly how their voices, including those of adult children born of wartime rape, get incorporated into policy and advocacy.
Was there a particular project, event, or moment that stood out to you during your internship?
The standout moments of my internship were getting to attend the U.S. Civil Society Working Group (CSWG) on Women, Peace, and Security, and a session with presidential staff at the White House. Both opportunities came through Dr. Yoshihara, and being in those rooms, seeing how WPS principles get discussed and shaped at the highest levels of policy, made the work feel real in a way I hadn't experienced before.