SU Student Interns with U.S. Embassy in London

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University student Amina Aden interned with the U.S. Embassy in London, assisting with cases that ranged from visiting a convicted American in prison to helping investigate citizenship obtainment.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience,” said Aden, a native of Silver Spring, MD.

Double majoring in international studies and communication arts, Aden relished interning for the Public Affairs office at the U.S. Department of Labor, in summer 2012. One day she mentioned her interest in foreign affairs to her boss, and with his help, she applied for the Embassy position.

Aden was accepted into the program and began her internship in mid-June 2013, working under the Consular Affairs department at the Embassy.

Consular Affairs is divided into two sections. One handles American citizen services (ACS) and Special Consular services handles Visa’s, according to Aden. ACS, Aden explained, is in charge of passports and all American overseas issues.

Aden worked under Consular General David Stewart, who is in charge of cases that involve any American who has been arrested, died, or has issues with welfare, whereabouts or anything else out of the ordinary. He also leads the whole Special Consular Service section.

For the most part, Aden and another intern worked with unsolved passport cases. Aden would sort through cases looking for more information to determine whether or not the person was eligible for citizenship.

Steward began including Aden in his special cases, allowing her the opportunity to learn different procedures.

There was a case in particular that helped validate the career path she is pursuing. Stewart brought Aden to visit an American man who was arrested, for DUI and the possession of marijuana, to evaluate his well-being to report back to the U.S.

“For learning, this was probably my favorite experience from the summer,” Aden said.

For more information, call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.