This past summer, Mustapha Kharbouch participated in CHRHS’s undergraduate student internship program at the International Crisis Group (ICG) in New York City. A third-year student at Brown, Mustapha double-concentrates in International and Public Affairs and Cultural Anthropology. When asked why they chose to pursue the internship opportunity with ICG, Mustapha highlighted their previous summer internship, where they conducted ethnographic research in the Anthropology department. After spending one summer gaining hands-on experience in academic research, Mustapha explained how they wanted to spend this summer instead trying out a 9–5 job in the international affairs sector. At the intersection of NGO research and advocacy work, Mustapha felt that ICG was the perfect fit and was additionally excited that the work would take place around the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

Once at ICG, Mustapha’s day-to-day consisted of tracking and transcribing UN proceedings, typing up numerous transcript-style meeting notes, and sitting in on meetings with ambassadors. In addition, they completed a research and advocacy project on Cambodia–Thailand relations, which they presented at the end of the summer session in a mock advocacy briefing, receiving feedback from the ICG team. While noting that the fast-paced environment and limited time to prepare for the briefing were challenging, Mustapha emphasized their gratitude to the ICG team for their support and belief in their success.

Mustapha spoke extensively about their positive relationship with their supervisor. At the beginning of the program, they stated that their supervisor asked about their interests, which included learning more about the “behind-the-scenes” informal aspects of diplomacy. Mustapha appreciated how their supervisor, in turn, made sure to include them in as many diplomacy meetings as possible and would even detail meetings they were unable to attend. Moreover, Mustapha noted that they enjoyed the small size of ICG’s New York office and the opportunity to meet staff who stopped in from around the world, taking advantage of any chance they could get to “coffee chat” with ICG team members and learn more about the work they do.

A highlight of Mustapha’s summer at the International Crisis Group came during preparations for the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. As part of the UN Advocacy and Research Team, they helped lay the groundwork for ICG’s engagement in the High-Level week in New York—an experience that offered firsthand insight into the inner workings of international diplomacy. Even after the internship officially ended, Mustapha was invited back to attend several key meetings and connect with ICG’s president, reflecting the trust and mentorship they built during their time with the organization.

As a Palestinian refugee raised in Lebanon, Mustapha brought a deeply personal understanding of the humanitarian system to their work. Their background gave them both empathy and a critical eye for how international institutions like the UN operate—how they can transform lives, but also where they fall short. During a summer marked by overlapping global crises, Mustapha observed the UN grappling with mounting demands and limited resources due to funding cuts, yet also witnessed the persistence of individuals committed to doing good work in difficult times.

Mustapha’s role, split evenly between administrative and research responsibilities, offered a valuable balance between the practical and analytical sides of international advocacy. “It was really a great combination,” they said. They contributed to projects such as media monitoring in Arabic and policy brief preparation. Beyond improving their writing speed and attention to detail, the internship reinforced their understanding of international collaboration and everyday diplomacy.

When asked what advice they would give to future interns, Mustapha didn’t hesitate: “Ask questions—always!” They emphasized the importance of seeking mentorship, initiating coffee chats, and not letting intimidation get in the way of curiosity. For future interns, they encouraged approaching the opportunity with openness and confidence—being proactive in conversations, learning from different perspectives, and recognizing that every voice, even the newest or youngest one in the room, has value.