This summer, I had the privilege of participating in the DC Flyers program. DC Flyers is an experiential learning opportunity offered through the UD Honors program, which allows students to complete a 10-week summer internship in Washington, D.C., providing them with experience in public service, policy and advocacy.
As an entrepreneurship and sustainability double major, I initially hesitated to apply because I was not a political science student. However, I am very grateful I did not let that hold me back, as my interdisciplinary background proved to be just as important. Through my involvement in the Sustainability Student Leaders program, I had also developed a passion for making a positive impact on my community and I was excited to spend the summer in a place where so many people create tangible change every day.
During my time in D.C., I interned with Counterpart International, an agriculture-focused international development nonprofit. I was fortunate to work closely with Counterpart's CEO and UD alumna Ann Hudock, who welcomed our entire cohort with open arms. Seeing the drive and passion she brings to every aspect of her work firsthand was truly inspiring.
At Counterpart, I served as a Global Programs intern, working closely with my supervisor on programs in Colombia and El Salvador. In the wake of recent USAID funding cuts, the Global Programs team is now focused on USDA-funded projects. Through this work, I discovered a passion for agriculture-based development. I see it as a true intersection of my two majors, since every farmer is, in essence, their own entrepreneur.
The two primary projects that I had the opportunity to be a part of this summer were focused in El Salvador and Colombia. In El Salvador, Counterpart runs a McGovern-Dole Food for Education program, in which U.S. agricultural commodities support school feeding efforts. From October 2024 to September 2026, the program reached 401 schools and more than 52,000 students. In Colombia, Counterpart’s work centers on a Food for Progress program with a stronger supply chain focus. It engages the tree nut sector, strengthening the supply chains that connect agricultural production with growing demand in the confectionery and chocolate markets.
In both projects, I spoke with on-the-ground teams daily and learned how to make their operations more efficient. Additionally, I developed compliance and tracking tools, including a USDA cooperative agreement compliance matrix and monetization workflow resources to strengthen reporting, accountability and donor compliance.
During my time at Counterpart, I became extremely passionate about working in the international development space. Each day when I came to work, I truly felt like I was supporting programs that were making a positive, tangible difference in the world.
Beyond my day-to-day work, I attended a number of impactful events during my time in DC. I worked with the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network to help support a congressional briefing at the U.S. House of Representatives, where I heard from experts in the field about the current landscape of international development funding. I also attended the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition conference, where I learned directly from USDA representatives.
Outside of work, I had the opportunity to explore a new city for the summer. One of my goals was to never eat at the same restaurant twice, so to hold myself accountable, I created an Instagram account for my friends to follow along. In D.C., I was able to eat everything from Ethiopian food to lobster rolls. Some of my favorite restaurants were Hank’s Oyster Bar, Perry’s for sushi and Thomas Sweets for ice cream.
Overall, this summer showed me that sustainability is about much more than environmental protection. It is also about setting communities up for success through sustainable development. Surrounded by people driven to make a difference, I left D.C. excited for the future that awaits me beyond UD.