By Zack Frailey Escobar, PhD student in the UT Government Department
My experience working with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in Santiago, Chile has been transformative, both professionally and personally, and has left a lasting mark on the way I envision my future as a political science researcher. Working alongside a team committed to defending democracy in challenging contexts at one of the most critical junctures for electoral systems in Latin America and around the world has allowed me to deepen my technical and analytical skills while building collaborative networks that will continue to inform my research agenda for years to come.
Continue reading Democracy, Technology, and International Collaboration: Reflections from Santiago →
By Arion Moore, Undergraduate student in the UT Government Department and Liberal Arts Honors Program
The time I have spent this summer in Skopje, North Macedonia has been an unforgettable experience that I will look back on with fond memories and invaluable lessons throughout the rest of my academic journey. As a Government major in the University of Texas at Austin Liberal Arts Honors program, the work I engaged in with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) aligned perfectly with my academic and professional pursuits and my desire to contribute to the promotion of democracy.
Continue reading Fighting Corruption and Advancing Civic Engagement in North Macedonia →
By Geraldine Fandiño Munévar, Graduate student at the UT LBJ School of Public Affairs
This summer has been an incredible journey of learning and professional growth, as I embarked on an internship with International IDEA in Santiago, Chile. As a master’s student at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies, specializing in public affairs and Latin American studies, this opportunity not only aligned perfectly with my academic pursuits but also exceeded my expectations in every possible way.
Continue reading Democracy and Environmental Sustainability in Chile →
By Guillermo Pérez, PhD student in the UT Government Department
My experience during the internship was wonderful for multiple reasons. First and foremost, working with a prestigious organization like International IDEA is a privilege. The research projects, the opportunities for influence, and the constant dialogue with political authorities in the country are extremely important for strengthening democracy. Earlier in the summer, we had the opportunity to participate in a seminar organized by IDEA on the Chilean constitutional process. In that seminar, international experts such as Adam Chilton, Lisa Hilbink, and David Landau shared their reflections on the Chilean constitutional proposal. There were also dialogues between the constitutional experts who proposed the draft constitution and the members of the Constitutional Council that reviewed and approved the final version.
Continue reading Chilean Constitution Drafting →
By Matt Martin, PhD student in the UT Government Department
After three weeks under the Panamanian sun, I headed to Santiago for a taste of the Chilean winter. There I spent the last three weeks of the Democratic Institutional Development internship working closely alongside the team at the International IDEA office in Chile. The second half of my experience was a perfect complement to the first, providing not only greater exposure to IDEA’s operations but also a chance to understand more deeply Chile’s constitutional moment, a topic of great personal interest.
Continue reading Supporting the Chilean Constituent Process →
By Guillermo Perez, PhD student in the UT Government Department
Throughout my life, I have had the privilege of living in many places, including Spain, Mexico, and the United States. I have remembered and missed my country of birth, Chile, in each of these places. However, this was the first time in recent years when I had the chance to mix the world of Chile with that of the country where I live. This internship allowed me to combine my North American world with my Chilean world, and it was a truly extraordinary experience.
Continue reading A Unique Adventure →
By Alexys Aquino, Undergraduate student in the UT Government Department, International Relations and Global Studies Department, and Spanish and Portuguese Department
I’m happy to report that humidity is universal, although sometimes it seems Texas has a monopoly on it! Along with the humidity, Panama has no shortage of lush greenery, kind strangers, and strong coffee. I had never been to Central America before this internship with International IDEA and UT Austin, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Now that I’ve been in Panama for over a month, I’ve started to get the hang of it all, from using the metro to navigating the temperamental elevators at the Electoral Tribunal. Despite all that I have learned, I’ve found that working in a multinational environment on topics as important as gender parity in Panamanian politics teaches you something new constantly.
Continue reading Women’s Political Participation in Panama →
By Alejandra Jimenez, Undergraduate student in the UT Government Department
Surrealism refers to a form of visual art that produces incongruous imagery by means of irrational juxtapositions. Some argue that surrealism revolutionizes the human experience, as magic and beauty can be found in the unexpected and uncanny. In a similar way, my time in Chile has been just that—pleasantly unexpected.
Continue reading Chile Surrealista →
By Matt Martin, PhD student in the UT Government Department
The time I’ve spent in Panama has been nothing short of a privilege. To work alongside International IDEA and have a peek into the world of democratic and electoral assistance was invaluable, both on a professional and personal level. Most of my time was spent at the Tribunal Electoral (“Electoral Tribunal,” or TE), where International IDEA-Panama is located. The TE houses not only the country’s civil registry, national ID directorate, and specialized electoral body but also the Instituto de Estudios Democráticos (“Institute of Democratic Studies,” or INED). I worked alongside the director of INED, Salvador Sánchez, and several other researchers on his talented team. Their kindheartedness made me feel more than welcome as an intern.
Continue reading Constitutional Performance in Panama →
By Kaitlin Passafiume, PhD candidate in the UT Spanish and Portuguese Department
As I wrap up the initial month of working with International IDEA at the Electoral Tribunal in Panama, I reflect on the diverse experiences that I have enjoyed in a short period of time. My completion of this internship signals an ability to successfully pivot from an academic background, using my critical humanities formation for public-facing work going forward. I remain convinced that cultural considerations have their place in governmental and extra-governmental projects, and I am heartened to find that the public arena in Panama considers and even encourages diverse perspectives.
Continue reading First-Ever Symbolic Youth Voting Campaign in Panama →
A research exchange program at the University of Texas at Austin supporting student work abroad in democratic and constitutional development