Barna Péterfi
Barna Péterfi experienced his first intercultural exchange in high school where he participated in the American Field Service (AFS) Intercultural Programs’ exchange year organized in Russia. Since then, he has been an advocate for the importance of understanding national and transnational cultural characteristics from both the Eastern and Western parts of the world. Finishing his high school in Hungary this has led Barna to apply to the University of Edinburgh where he is currently a 2nd-year student majoring in Russian Studies and Politics. For his third year, he will be participating in a university-led placement program where he will live and gain professional experience in the Baltic states.
Barna paired his theoretical knowledge acquired from his university in the professional sphere by joining the Political Network for Values as an intern to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how international NGOs operate in the political arena. From there he moved on to work as a political campaign consultant for a Member of Parliament candidate in the 2022 Hungarian parliamentary election where he worked closely with policymakers and local businesses in the constituency. Simultaneously, he became involved in the works of the Energy and Climate Policy Division at Századvég Konjunktúrakutató Zrt. As a Junior Analyst there, his work revolved around producing and communicating research briefings and analyses for policymakers and private sector actors. His research included oil and gas markets, production, and Central Asian energy policies. In addition, Barna co-founded the Fiatalok Batthyány Köre Foundation with the intention of bringing together young and bright minds from all spheres including politics, business, and culture by establishing a platform for intellectual debate, educational workshops, and roundtable discussions.
During his internship in Washington DC, Barna will contribute to the success of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association where he will be working as a governmental affairs intern on Capitol Hill.
“My primary objective over the summer is to not only experience behind-the-scenes work at a trade association that represents a major sector of the American economy but also further enhance my knowledge and skills on governmental affairs and advocacy issues and practices.” – Barna Péterfi
His goal for the end of his internship is to acquire a comprehensive understanding of how professional advocacy and policy education works in the heart of America and to share this unique and vital knowledge with his home country.
Furthermore, Barna intends to pair his professional and practical knowledge gained from his internship site with economic and public policy courses at George Mason University along with the cultural and educational activities organized by the Hungary Foundation.