Introducing our 2021 insideIL Interns!

The itrek Team

June 1, 2021

Since itrek’s absorption of insideIL, a paid internship program connecting top graduate students with leading organizations in Israel, the program has expanded to include students from top Business, Law, Policy, and STEM graduate programs. Applications for summer internships closed in mid-March, and we received a total of 542 eligible applications from 250 eligible applicants for 35 positions posted. Following guidance from medical experts and in consideration of Israel’s strict regulations, we have decided to begin this summer’s insideIL internships in a remote setting, with the option for interns to gradually travel to Israel and complete their internships on-the-ground if they choose to do so, and subject to hosts organizations’ policies.

We’re excited to introduce this year’s insideIL interns and their host companies below! These interns were chosen based on the quality of their applications, including cover letters, interview skills, and previous professional experiences. They come from some of the world’s top graduate programs and will be applying their knowledge and education to their respective internships:

Adriana Martella is a Master of Public Policy (MPP) candidate at the Harris School of Public Policy at The University of Chicago. She will intern at Social Finance Israel as an Impact Investment Analyst. She looks forward to understanding firsthand the uniqueness of Israel and its people, and trusts that this formative experience will positively influence her understanding of the richness and complexity she had previously studied during her MPP program about Israel.

Asish Gosh is an MBA candidate at Georgetown University. He will intern at Horizen Labs as a Financial Analyst. He looks forward to learning more about the fascinating culture and history of Israel, visiting the ancient sites in the Holy city of Jerusalem, and experiencing the vibrant tech start-up scene in Tel-Aviv.

Beatriz Ciordia Zabalza received her MA in International Relations and Affairs from New York University in 2020. She will intern at Forum D’vorah as a Project Manager alongside fellow InsideIL intern Julian Wachtel. She can’t wait to visit Israel this summer and learn firsthand about the region’s rich history—and enjoy its amazing food!

Bryan Burgoon is a JD candidate at Berkeley University Law School. He will intern at Horn and Co. as a Legal Intern. He is interested in building connections between Israeli and U.S investors/founders for emerging technology and venture capital opportunities… and enjoying fresh falafel!

Joseph Walsh is a Masters of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) candidate at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He will work at Tech2Peace as a Resource Development and PR Intern alongside fellow InsideIL intern Poorjava Sundar. Joseph is excited to delve into Israel’s rich culture and history and work with and learn from Israeli and Palestinian youth as part of Tech2Peace.

Julian Wachtel holds an undergraduate degree in Business from the University of Mannheim (Germany), and is looking forward to beginning his Graduate studies at the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya this fall. He will intern at Forum D’vorah as a Project Manager alongside Beatriz Ciordia Zabalzal. He is most looking forward to swimming in the sea (and avoiding the jellyfish!).

Lucia Cuneo is a Master in Business Administration candidate at Harvard Business School. She will intern at ANINA Culinary Art as the Go-to-Market Analyst. She looks forward to learning more about Israel’s entrepreneurship culture and cuisine.

Maria Paula Duque is a Masters in Project Management candidate at Georgetown. She will intern at Amai Proteins as a Business Development Analyst alongside fellow InsideIL intern Melissa Byeon. A curious and innovative person, she looks forward to exploring different aspects of the varied cultures in Israel.

Max Klaver is a Masters of Law and Diplomacy (MALD) candidate at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. He will intern at Molad: The Center for the Renewal of Israeli Democracy, as a researcher for its upcoming podcast on the Oslo Accords. Should he be so lucky to make it to Israel this summer, he’ll be most excited for Tel Aviv’s beaches and, possibly even more so, its hummus!

Melissa Byeon is an Information Management for Business degree candidate at University College London (UCL). She will intern at Amai Proteins as a Business Development Analyst alongside Maria Paula Duque. She is looking forward to exploring the nature of Israel, as she has heard how beautiful it is from her friends.

Noah Segal is a Global MBA candidate at George Washington University. He will intern at Highcon as a Sustainability Marketing Intern. He is looking forward to living in Tel Aviv and wants to practice his Hebrew and Arabic, learn about sustainability marketing, and attend Hapoel/Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer and basketball games.

Poorvaja Sundar is a Masters of Public Administration candidate at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. She will intern at Tech2Peace alongside Joseph Walsh as a Resource Development and M&E Intern. She is looking forward to immersing herself in the culture of Israel again, learning more about its dynamic and diverse history, and eating lots of falafel!

Tori Hill is a Middle East Studies & International Economics degree candidate at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. She will intern at Civic Leadership as an NGO Comparative Research Intern. If able to spend time in Israel this summer, she looks forward to diving back into Tel Aviv’s incredible food scene and building lasting friendships, especially as she expects to stay in Israel as a Fulbright scholar in the coming year.