Growing up in Indonesia, Dina Hermawan, a senior at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, felt inspired to serve her community.
This summer, she lived out her dreams of service when she completed an internship in the economic division of the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Washington, D.C.
Hermawan’s summer internship included monitoring and reporting on U.S. economic legislation to support diplomatic operations, assisting with administrative tasks, and greeting delegates, government officials, and guests at the embassy. These duties provided Hermawan, who will graduate in December with a degree in international studies, with an understanding of the daily inner workings of the embassy.
“I met a lot of guests from the U.S. and Indonesian governments,” she said. “It was an eye-opening experience to see how these people talk and strategize to strike deals. It was a great experience.”
Prior to majoring in international studies, Hermawan entered the University as a prospective marine biology major.
“I’ve always been passionate about the environment, and I’ve always loved the ocean, but I didn’t feel the spark with the subject, so halfway through my freshman year, I decided to switch to international studies,” she said.
For Hermawan, being a part of meaningful environmental and social change requires diving into the field that plays a direct role in policy decision-making. In addition to her major in international studies, Hermawan is minoring in political science, geography and sustainable development, and sociology.
These interdisciplinary studies have bolstered her desire to enact change, especially in her home country.
“Semester after semester, I feel more passionate about politics and international relations,” she said.
Her internship at the Indonesian Embassy has also increased her enthusiasm for this field of study, providing her with a more nuanced perspective on international politics.
“I’ve always been passionate about international relations,” she said. “I think it’s a fascinating world where countries come together to find solutions. The bilateral and multilateral aspects are particularly interesting to me. It’s amazing to see how nations can work together to achieve common goals.”
For Hermawan, the prospect of serving the country where she grew up is just as inspiring as the diplomats she worked with this summer. Following graduation, she intends to pursue graduate school in Australia, studying to eventually become a diplomat with a “front row seat” to how her country operates.
“I’ve always wanted to contribute to my country and serve my people,” she said. “Working as a diplomat in the future, I can pursue my passion and also learn from other countries what works and what does not.”
