My name is Layla Lamrani, and I am a U4 student in Honours Political Science with a minor in International Development. I grew up in Montreal and have always had a strong interest in Politics and International Relations. I鈥檓 especially drawn to comparative politics in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, as well as parliamentary institutions and democracy studies.
I pursued the internship at the Quebec Government Office in New York because I have always dreamed of working in diplomacy. I was eager to understand what this kind of work actually entails, and to see whether it would align with my interests and career goals. My objectives were to learn what diplomacy looks like on the ground, what role Quebec plays abroad, and whether I could see myself working in this field (spoiler: I can!).
The opportunity was especially exciting because the internship was based in New York City. I had just returned from a semester abroad in London and was eager to experience life in another major global city. The combination of the location and the chance to work in international politics made this an ideal next step for me.
As an intern in the Communications and Government Affairs department, I worked closely with attach茅s across a variety of portfolios, including communications, education, Francophonie, and multilateral affairs. My tasks varied each week, but I spent much of my time supporting the communications attach茅 by creating content for social media and helping draft messages for our social media platforms. One of the highlights of my internship was helping organize the F锚te nationale du Qu茅bec, celebrated on June 24th. The event featured Quebecois chefs and a circus show, giving guests a vibrant experience of Quebec鈥檚 culture. I also contributed to a major archival project for the government office鈥檚 85th anniversary, where I gathered historical material from the past eight decades to create social media content and celebrate the delegation鈥檚 legacy. Another key project I鈥檓 especially proud of was the rapport diplomatique I co-wrote with my co-intern Lhassa. We conducted an analysis of the Mid-Atlantic primary elections, focusing on Pennsylvania and New York State. My academic training in Political Science, particularly in electoral systems, proved incredibly useful during my time. I was able to apply what I had learned in my classes to real-world analysis, and my understanding of Canadian and Quebec politics helped me situate the delegation鈥檚 work in a broader international context.
This internship was one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic and professional journey so far. It confirmed my desire to work in diplomacy and showed me how impactful this field can be.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the Dean of Arts Development Fund for the award that covered my rent and travel expenses while I was in New York. Because of this generous support, I was able to fully commit to my internship and take advantage of what the city had to offer. Without this financial support, I would not have been able to afford to live and work in New York City. I am truly grateful for the opportunity and the experience it made possible.
