Thank You, Heritage Donors

As my internship at the Heritage Foundation comes to a close, I would like to thank the generous donors for supporting the intern program. The Heritage Foundation offers an exceptional internship with opportunities to grow in social, educational, and ideological realms. I have personally benefited from these opportunities, and have gained valuable experience and skills that will set me apart from others in my graduate program at Brigham Young University (BYU).

While working in the Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, I have investigated and written about significant events affecting Latin American Foreign Policy. Under the mentorship of Dr. Ray Walser, I have co-authored a Backgrounder on higher education reform and aid in Latin American countries. I have also contributed to numerous Web Memos and Foundry posts. The opportunity to research and write extensively over the summer has further prepared me to pursue my educational and career goals.

My experience at Heritage has impacted my plans for the future. When I began my graduate program in Public Administration (MPA) at BYU, I knew that I would eventually progress academically to a doctorate program. I met with various directors and professors in my program, but was not able to pinpoint a single area of interest. My eventual decision was to sit on it for a year before I began any serious advancement towards any one area of study. My work here at Heritage enlightened my deliberation, and I am now confident in my chosen area of study.

If there has been a theme to the crises and events in Latin America this summer, it has been an attack on democratic principles and the free market system. This disturbing trend is what led me to investigate the economic strategies of countries like Venezuela, Bolivia, and Cuba. These state-controlled economies strategically subjugate their citizens into dependency. The solutions and principles presented at Heritage deepened my convictions and inspired my to choose further education in economics to further develop strategy that will allow for greater freedoms across the world.

I hope to involve myself in efforts to alleviate poverty in developing nations. My focus going into the MPA program at BYU was exactly that, and during my internship I have found the road that will lead me there.

Thank you again for your generosity and support. May your support be rewarded to you as you see positive changes based on conservative principles proliferated throughout the world.