Public Policy Students Reflect on Their Internships: Camille Hesterberg at the Budapest Institute for Policy Analysis

Camille Hesterberg, United States 
One-year MAPP candidate, Class of 2015
Intern, Budapest Institute for Policy Analysis

Hesterberg says that she was particularly interested in interning with the Budapest Institute for Policy Analysis because of the organization's focus on social policy matters both at the national Hungarian level, and also at the EU and international levels. She says that the internship has been a “huge opportunity for research learning and growth” and also a chance to improve her Hungarian language skills.

One especially valuable experience that developed out of her internship was being able to assist with CEU's Summer University course on policy design and evaluation. “I especially enjoyed this experience because by being put in the shoes of a policy educator, I was able to further process the knowledge I had gained in my studies at CEU.” Hesterberg also enjoyed meeting the course participants, who came from diverse backgrounds, as well as listening to interesting guest lecturers.

Thanks to her internship, Hesterberg says that she is even more certain that she is interested in a career in research and advocacy. “I now better understand the importance of data collection in addressing today's problems. I have long been dedicated to helping people, but I often felt that my research interests were too broad for me to design a clear path for myself. The overlap of my projects at the Budapest Institute and the way they tie into other research topics of interest has been great. It has proved to me that there are careers that use coordinated and integrated approaches to address policy, both by ensuring that policies are mutually reinforcing across governance levels, and also across policy goals,” she says.

Although her internship has kept her busy, Hesterberg has made time to enjoy Budapest. “It is a gem year-round, but in the summer it is especially charming, with nice terraces, tasty treats, warm waters to splash around in, and laughs and smiles with friends.” She has also made time to travel to nearby countries, mainly to hike up big mountains and walk through beautiful fields of wild flowers. “With the peace of mind and heart that being outdoors brings me, I am thankful that I have been able to spend some time this summer surrounded by Mother Nature,” she says.