Leah Crowder | Internship Spotlight

Leah Crowder, Class of 2016

1. Where and with whom did you do your internship?
   I interned at the United States Commercial Service (USCS) at the US Embassy in Madrid, Spain. The USCS is the trade promotion unit of the International Trade Administration of the United States Department of Commerce. The USCS office in Madrid provides a range of services to help American companies export goods and services to Spain.
2. What were your primary responsibilities?
   I helped prepare the Commercial Service’s 2015 Country Commercial Guide (CCG), one of the Embassy’s most widely distributed reports. This report presents a comprehensive look at Spain’s commercial environment, using economic, political and market analysis. I was the primary intern responsible for conducting extensive research for and editing of the CCG to prepare for it to be sent to the State Department and then distributed on.I also participated in several meetings regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Attendees at these meetings included officials from different sections of the US Embassy Spain as well as their Spanish and European counterparts.Moreover, I assisted with several USCS Spain core services, such as conducting market research, compiling databases, and contacting potential clients in several sectors including medical, travel and tourism, investment, and pumps and valves.
3. Which of your previous classes or learning experiences were most useful to you during the internship?
   The classes that were most useful to me during this internship were Dr. Thornton’s European Union: Nationalism, Terrorism, and Immigration class because it prepared me to be able to participate intelligently in meetings regarding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and Dr. Mu’s Global Economy class because it gave me background knowledge on important topics in trade such as competitive advantage and the arguments for and against free trade.
4. What were the highlights or most important learning opportunities from your internship experience?
   One of the highlights of my summer internship was definitely the opportunity to actively participate in meetings and briefings regarding the TTIP. This is a controversial policy issue that is currently in negotiation, and it was extremely interesting to be able to witness TTIP talks behind-the-scenes and to meet some of the people who are working so hard to make this a reality.Another highlight was being able to meet and attend receptions with important Embassy people including the U.S. Ambassador to Spain, the Deputy Chief Mission, and various Diplomats. One of the benefits to not interning in D.C. is that there are far fewer interns roaming around so all of us are important and appreciated!
5. Do you have any advice for first year Bush School students who may be applying for an internship for this summer?
   My advice for first year students would be to not underestimate yourself. If you have a goal, go for it with all that you’ve got. If someone had told me at this time last year that I’d have the opportunity to represent the Mosbacher Institute for Trade, Economics and Public Policy and intern in the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, I would not have believed it. Set your goals high, then achieve them!