Daniel inside the athletic center, kneeling on the indoor track one knee with tournament flags and the American flag hanging behind him.

Daniel C. ’24

Though Daniel C. ’24 is from Maryland, his heart lies halfway across the world in Jordan.

Daniel, a politics major with a minor in Arabic studies, fell in love with Jordan during his junior year of high school when he took part in the National Security Language Initiative for Youth, a U.S. Department of State project designed to give students the opportunity to learn languages that are valuable for maintaining the national security of the United States. 

Daniel chose to study Arabic in Jordan. His experience was even better than he imagined. "I stayed with an amazing host family that really helped me learn about Jordan's culture," he said. "I can't speak highly enough about the excursions like visiting Petra (one of the seven wonders of the world) and taking daily Arabic lessons. I really had an amazing cultural experience."

After his experience in Jordan, Daniel knew he wanted to pursue a career dedicated to work in the Middle East. After starting his studies at Brandeis, it wasn't long before he began applying to internships to pursue his passions.

Daniel had his eyes set on a prestigious internship with The Embassy of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, located in Washington, DC. Though he was rejected the first time he applied, Daniel was determined to be accepted the following year. He found the tools he needed to succeed in his core International and Global Studies courses.

"I didn't realize I needed a writing sample when I originally applied for the position," he said. "I took Introduction to International Relations because I knew it would provide me with the knowledge and writing skills needed to confidently hand in my next application."

After completing writing assignments in class, Daniel created the perfect sample for his application. He soon discovered he had been selected among hundreds of applicants for the internship.

The internship was held virtually. During a typical day in his role, Daniel recorded notes for federal government meetings and briefings, from entities like the Brookings to Middle East Institutes. He was also responsible for keeping track of international publications regarding Jordan, sharing major points with the embassy leaders and diplomats in Amman.

"When I learned I would be informing important leaders like the Jordanian diplomats, it became so much more than an educational experience," Daniel said.

Throughout this experience, he learned more about Jordan and international politics as a whole. "Because my work felt important, I realized the value of accuracy and being concise in international communication," said Daniel.

With the internship complete, Daniel is again looking for opportunities to return to Jordan. He plans to study abroad in Jordan during his junior year, and is hoping to participate in another internship this summer in Abu Dhabi.

Daniel approaches the future confidently because of his internship experiences and skills discovered at Brandeis. "I wouldn't be where I am today without the help of Brandeis faculty," he said.