Ilona Schumicky arrived in DC from Hungary to take part in the summer program of The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) in the framework of the Széll Kálmán Fellowship. This summer, Ilona will be working for the Media Research Center’s CNS news division while attending the Economic and Public Policy track with TFAS with ethics and leadership electives. As a journalist, she has the opportunity to go behind the scenes and gain a better understanding and overview on political and economical matters here in the US. Ilona also looks forward to experiencing political life in DC firsthand and living and working on Capitol Hill.
Ilona Schumicky
Ilona graduated from Corvinus University with a bachelor’s degree in International Business and has been accepted to KU Leuven in Belgium where she will be working for her MBA with a specialization in Leadership and Change Management.
“The city is very vibrant, but at the same time it is livable. We have the chance to live in the city center so we really get the full DC experience. TFAS is very great, the whole staff is very prepared and they are helping us every way they can to make the most out of this experience.”
In the future, Ilona’s goal is to work in international politics. She is confident that her time in DC coupled with the people she meets and work she has the opportunity to do will help her specify her field of interest. By writing cover stories this summer she hopes to influence the American media culture and put more emphasis on issues not covered by other news agencies.
“ I like that my internship allows me to work independently, moreover it is expected, this way I will be able to get some meaningful work done which is amazing.”
Ilona with her supervisors at Media Research Center
About the Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship
The 2019 Summer Széll Kálmán Public Policy Fellowship is a full scholarship for students from Hungary to participate in The Fund for American Studies summer programs in Washington DC.
The 15 week program includes an internship placement in Washington DC, academic credit from George Mason University, housing in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC a variety of guest lectures and briefings, as well as opportunities for professional development and networking. HIF’s scholarship covers full tuition and a living stipend for the duration of the program.