Fall CHIP Fellow Anaïs Acree Reflects on Internship with Rep. Austin Scott
Pezeshkan Family Capitol Hill Internship Program Fellow Anaïs Acree is a senior studying International Affairs and Modern Languages at Georgia Institute of Technology. This fall, she interned in the office of Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA).
“My internship on Capitol Hill has been an extraordinary journey. Working alongside Georgia Congressman Austin Scott has not only been a tremendous privilege but also an immensely rewarding educational and professional experience.
Delving into the intricate mechanisms of the legislative and political processes and actively contributing to policies with far-reaching global implications have been my biggest highlights. Fall 2023 was exceptionally eventful as I witnessed the daily creation of history on the Hill, while playing a part, albeit small, on urgent legislative matters, making the experience nothing short of incredible. I had the opportunity to work on multiple projects from communications press releases to writing arguments in policy memos.
My most engaging role was researching the pros and cons of various foreign affairs policies and following up on previously passed legislation, which helped Representative Scott make informed decisions about pending legislative topics and plan potential refinements to existing laws. This experience allowed me to analyze the trajectories and far-reaching impact of legislative measures, from their initial passage to final global outcomes. Moreover, it underscored the ongoing discourse surrounding passed bills, demonstrating Congress’s pivotal role in shaping foreign policy responses to evolving global challenges.
PAAIA provided me with the opportunity to attend incredible events and lunches where I engaged with representatives, staffers, and members to discuss the challenges facing the Persian community. Attending these discussions helped me gain a deeper understanding of the issues at hand, foster meaningful connections, and actively contribute to potential solutions in enacting policy.
I have had the honor to meet wonderful people and my knowledge on legislative topics has expanded from understanding classroom theory to more pragmatic solutions needed to get laws passed. Witnessing firsthand how foreign policy intersects with domestic agendas has been enlightening, while grasping the interconnectedness between international relations and our economy has broadened my perspective profoundly. I am super thankful to PAAIA for this opportunity and will apply what I’ve learned throughout my professional career.
January 9, 2024
