Where are you from?
The Ivory Coast, and now I’m living in Atlanta, Georgia
What school do you attend/what do you study?
I’m a senior at Georgia State University. I’m a double major in Spanish with a concentration in literature and Political Science with a concentration in international affairs.
What are your plans after you graduate?
I plan to move to Chile for a year and then go to law school.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy playing volleyball, reading, traveling, and learning new languages.
What do you do at PVS? What is a typical day for you?
I am a research intern in the Speech Collections Department. During my day, I read public statements of every U.S. Senator and about 2 dozen House members. This covers anything written about them, anything they’ve said on the floor, or anything posted on an official’s website.
What have you enjoyed most about interning here?
I’ve enjoyed being in Montana, meeting new people, and trying something different!
Why do you think PVS is so important?
These days people focus so much more on the rhetoric than on the actual facts. Hyperpartisanship is such a big problem in the U.S. today and organizations like Project Vote Smart are rare. Not a lot of organizations just try to inform the public at no cost.
What have you gotten out of your internship experience?
I feel like I’ve learned so much in and out of the office. I’ve learned how to work in a fast paced professional environment, adapt to different situations, and interact with people from different walks of life.
What makes PVS’s internship program different from other internships out there?
One of the unique things about Project Vote Smart is the location. Another thing is it’s a 10 week program where you work and live with the people. You have more time to get to know the people, and I’ve learned so much from having conversations with the other interns who challenge my beliefs and who allow me to challenge their beliefs without taking it personally.
What made you decide to be an intern?
Living in the south, I thought coming to Montana and being isolated would be very difficult for me. I truly enjoy forcing myself to try new things, because it’s very easy to be complacent and be around the same people and environment. I knew I would walk away such a better person.