At
Berkeley, Artin is composing an honors thesis regarding the decision-making
process in Iran's foreign policy. As part of the project, he interviewed
foreign policy academics and officials in Iran in January of 2008. In the
summer of 2007, he interned at the Middle East Institute in Washington, DC.
Though born and raised in California, Artin has visited the Middle East
extensively and is fluent in English, Persian, Spanish, and has basic Arabic
ability.
In
accepting the fellowship award, Artin told NIAC, "Through my internship with
the Foreign Affairs staff of Senator Feinstein, I will aim to gain an
understanding of how the Senator helps formulate our nation's foreign
policy. Further, I will understand the legislative process of this country
and how Iranian Americans can become more involved in [US politics]."
Artin told
NIAC, "What attracted me to NIAC was its non-partisan dedication to
Iranian-American professional advancement and political organization. The
fact that NIAC receives no money from any government was very important to
me. The Fellowship was motivating for me because its focus on public service
matched my desire to broaden my experience in US government."
Artin also
hopes to gain a more practical knowledge of the Washington political
environment, "I aspire to a career as an international lawyer with emphases
in constitutional law as well as trade law. My experience with the
Fellowship in Senator Feinstein's office will give me an understanding of
the legislative process that drafts US foreign policy. I will use that
experience to help inform my academic and future legal career."
The unique
NPSJ program is designed to jumpstart the careers of young Iranian
Americans, like Artin, who wish to pursue careers in public policy,
government, and journalism. The only program of its kind, the NPSJ
fellowship is designed to provide support and encouragement for young
Iranian Americans who, to this juncture, have not enjoyed the benefits of
programs and institutions to facilitate their incursion into American
politics and civic life.
2008 marks
the fourth year of the NPSJ program and the NIAC decision committee was once
again overwhelmed by the quality of the applicant pool. Although only one
fellowship is being awarded, many of the applicants were offered positions
with congressional offices. In future years, NIAC hopes to award more summer
fellowships to emerging leaders within the Iranian-American community.
The program is funded through a grant from
CitiBank and donations from the Iranian-American community. If
you would like to learn more about how you can help fund this program and
provide more opportunities for Iranian-American students, please contact:
development@niacouncil.org.
