From the Classroom to the Summer Internship: An internship spotlight from Pacific I. Rwanika, MPP ’26
Every MPP student is required to complete a 400-hour summer internship between their first and second year of the MPP program, putting the skills and tools learned over the last academic year into practice in a policy-based internship. Second-year MPP student, Pacific Rwanika, took the time to reflect on his internship, from the search process through to his work with Rivanna Strategy.
My name is Pacific, a second-year international student from the small Kingdom of Eswatini studying for a Master of Public Policy at Batten. This past summer, I had the chance to work as an intern for Rivanna Strategy, a consulting firm contracted by UVA’s Humanitarian Collaborative. The UVA Humanitarian Collaborative works with operational groups, technical specialists, and global and local policy actors to establish strategies, standards, and regulations that support development and humanitarian efforts. My interest in this internship was sparked by my long-standing curiosity with international development as well as my brief work experience in Eswatini’s development sector. Having earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations, I have always been curious about how governments, international organizations, and civil society collaborate to tackle the complicated problems that developing nations face. I am very interested in policy analysis, disaster preparedness, and international development, all of which this internship offered.
When I initially heard about the internship, I had been in my worrywart phase about finding a summer internship. I had been waiting for a confirmed internship for several weeks, and I was starting to lose hope. Then, our cohort received an email from the wonderful Sarah Hanks, Director of Career Advancement, informing us that the department, in collaboration with Humanitarian Collaborative, was looking for summer interns. I applied right away because that email seemed like a lifeline. The Batten Career Advancement staff and the larger Batten community were very helpful during the search. Their involvement made a big difference, whether it was by sharing new opportunities or offering advice on crafting application materials.
My daily tasks throughout my internship varied greatly, yet they constantly challenged me to advance my career. I took part in research, attended coordination meetings, and helped write official reports. The most significant experience through the internship was the opportunity to attend two regional seminars virtually in South Africa and Namibia, which centered on implementing a risk assessment tool for climate catastrophe management in southern African nations. I gained a better understanding of the challenges of multi-national cooperation regarding catastrophe preparedness by listening to conversations between government officials, United Nations agencies and partners, and technical specialists. In addition, I helped create an infographic commemorating the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction and contributed to a deliverable (in the form of a report) that we would present to the United Nations Development Program. These initiatives were both intellectually stimulating and closely related to the issues that vulnerable populations face in the real world.
The quick and noticeable impact that this field may have on developing countries is what most surprised me about this internship experience. The realization that nations rely on precise analysis and reliable procedures to lessen the damage caused by climate-related disasters lies behind every policy suggestion and risk assessment model was humbling. I learned a lot from the courses I took during the first year of the program, especially Introduction to Policy Analysis. It gave me the ability to evaluate current disaster management plans and consider interventions critically throughout the internship.
My internship provided the platform for me to hone one skill in particular: I was able to interview stakeholders much more effectively. I met with contacts at national disaster management agencies as part of my background research, and I was able to improve my communication abilities and gain more self-assurance when engaging with senior practitioners as a result. I developed both personally and professionally by learning more about regional governance systems and developing greater appreciation for patience and flexibility when working with multinational stakeholders.
If you are a student looking for internships in related fields, I would suggest being proactive about using your network and not being scared to contact people who could have leads. Moreover, since your LinkedIn page frequently serves as your initial impression, keeping it updated is advisable. Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to Batten, particularly the Career Advancement department. Throughout the internship, they fostered a welcoming environment for students working remotely in Charlottesville through weekly community lunches, constant assistance, and encouragement. It served as a forum for real-time reflection, celebrating any and all successes, as well as sharing challenges. All things considered, this internship helped me become a more competent and self-assured public policy professional while also reaffirming my dedication to international development.
