The 2025 Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Interns Begin Transformative Summer Internship Program in Ireland
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Fourteen high-achieving American college students will spend eight weeks in Dublin focused on intercultural learning and career development.
The 2025 Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Interns arrived today in Dublin, Ireland, for their eight-week international internship program during which they will gain work experience with an Ireland-based host company, build a network of international professional contacts, and gain a deeper understanding of Irish history and culture.
The Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship Program is a collaboration of Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, the African American Irish Diaspora Network (AAIDN), The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, and the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), designed to honor two iconic leaders in the global movement for freedom, equality, social justice, and economic mobility by preparing students for career success.
The fourteen 2025 Douglass-O’Connell Global Interns were selected from a highly competitive pool of exceptional students. Each received full funding for their internship placement, academic program, housing, and airfare, as well as a living stipend. This week, they will begin internships at the following host companies (in bold):
- Arizona State University, Keana Pope, Business Marketing, GORM
- Babson College, Ava Beery, Business Management, Linked Finance
- Colorado State University, Jaellyn Erickson, Environmental Engineering, Cognition.World
- Morehouse College, Mouhamadou Kane, Journalism, Sport Endorse
- Rhodes College, Johnathan Burch, Political Science, Innocence Project
- Spelman College, Jocelyn Baker, International Studies, Daly Hempenstall
- Spelman College, Myana Garrison, Public Health, The Mater Misericordiae University Hospital
- University of Alabama, Zachary Cole, Mathematics, Cognition.World
- University of Georgia, Rayna Carter, Psychology, Chrysalis Community Drug Project
- University of Mississippi, Aminata Ba, Economics, AkiDwa
- University of North Georgia, Keith Mauricio Gonzalez, Political Science, Fórsa
- University of Pennsylvania, Erin Jeon, English Literature, Treoir
- Vanderbilt University, Lizbeth Ramirez, Economics, Elkstone Partners
- Villanova University, Rita Sogoti, Criminal Justice, Abbey Law Solicitors
The interns will work alongside Irish colleagues, developing the problem solving, intercultural communication, and self-leadership skills most valued by employers in today’s globally interconnected workplace. In addition, the interns will attend lectures on Irish history and culture, and participate in extracurricular and networking activities in Dublin, Cork, and Belfast.
“We are pleased to partner with Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, AAIDN, and the John and Lilian Miles Lewis Foundation to provide this opportunity for highly talented students to prepare for career success by expanding their horizons, growing their professional network, and developing critical skills through real-world work experience,” said James P. Pellow, Ed.D., President and CEO of CIEE.
For more about the Frederick Douglass-Daniel O’Connell Global Internship in Ireland, visit ciee.org/fddo.
About CIEE
Since 1947, CIEE has built bridges between different people, different countries, and different cultures through study abroad and international exchange programs that advance peace in our world. We change lives, our alumni change the world. Learn more at ciee.org.
About AAIDN
Since 2020, the African American Irish Diaspora Network has fostered relationships between African Americans, Ireland, and the Irish Diaspora. AAIDN promotes programs in education, the arts, entrepreneurship, and culture that unite African American and Irish communities. AAIDN’s mission is supported by both Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and the government of Northern Ireland. Learn more at aaidnet.org.
About the John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation (JLMLF)
The John and Lillian Miles Lewis Foundation, Inc. was conceived by Congressman Lewis to carry on his and his wife’s passion for purposeful living, civic engagement and building the “beloved community,” and to inspire and support Good Trouble. For more information, visit jlmlf.org.