Connecting Academia and Policy Transformation
Princeton Student Aims for Diplomacy After Pursuing Research in Malaysia
Mai Kasemsawade, a student at Princeton University, is passionate about building systemic, political change, particularly in Malaysia. Kasemsawade's research has already made an impact, with her findings used to support a bill proposal to the Malaysian parliamentary subcommittee.
Kasemsawade's research project focused on advancing Malaysia's laws on funding for political parties to encourage a more democratic political scene. She also wrote an op-ed article on Thailand's Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, which was published on Malaysia Business Today.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Kasemsawade gained valuable research skills during her internship at the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. She honed her abilities in extracting budgetary data, writing policy papers, and preparing stakeholder engagements.
The International Internship Program (IIP) offers students like Kasemsawade the opportunity to gain experience in a new country while pursuing interdisciplinary research. The IIP hosts hundreds of research opportunities every summer for current first-years through juniors.
The IIP encourages students to explore and apply for the summer research opportunities available. It is recommended to connect with an IIP adviser and an IIP ambassador to learn more about the student experience. Registration for an information session about the IIP for the summer of 2024 will be available in October.
For those interested in summer research opportunities in Taiwan, the International Internship Pilot Program (IIPP) administered by Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is a great option. The IIPP is designed to attract international students from universities outside Taiwan who are specializing in fields aligned with Taiwan’s core strategic industries, particularly science and technology (S&T).
The IIPP offers hands-on research experience in academic and research institutions across Taiwan, aiming to showcase Taiwan's strengths in S&T and potentially encourage participants to pursue advanced studies or a career in Taiwan. Internships last from 28 to 90 days, with flexible start dates between June and December 2025 to accommodate varying academic calendars. Interns receive a daily subsidy of NT$1,000 (about USD 30) during their stay.
Applications for the Taiwan IIPP must be submitted no later than September 15, 2025. Interested students should visit the official IIPP website for comprehensive instructions and to access the application portal. Applicants are likely selected based on academic background, relevance of their specialty to Taiwan’s strategic industries, and potentially other criteria set by the host institutions.
For more information about other IIPs, please specify the country or organization for more targeted information.
- Mai Kasemsawade, who is currently at Princeton University, is not only honing her research skills in education-and-self-development but also leveraging them for personal-growth and positive change, as demonstrated by her impactful research in Malaysia.
- The International Internship Program (IIP) offers students opportunities to acquire research skills, learning from interdisciplinary projects in a new country, which can contribute to their education-and-self-development and foster personal-growth, aligning with their goals for subsequent academic and career pursuits.
