Graduate Diplomacy Student Interns with French Consulate Office

Hailing from Long Island, Natalie Malatino is a first-year student and research assistant in the M.A. in Diplomacy and International Relations program. Malatino recently completed an internship at the Consulate General of France in New York. She earned her undergraduate degree at SUNY-Westbury and studied politics, economics and law. Additionally, she spent a year studying in France at the Institut d’études politique de Lille (Science Po Lille). Malatino’s nine years of French language study prepared her for her internship. Malatino currently specializes in international security with deep regional interests in the Middle East and Europe.

The Consulate General of France in New York is a short commute from campus across the Hudson River by train via New Jersey Transit. During her time at the consulate, Malatino contributed on day-to-day operations and arranged over 35 events at the consulate office. She worked closely on organizing events with the Comité des Associations Françaises et de langue françaises de New York (CAFUSA) and its President, Thomas Vandenabeele. CAFUSA is a commission that accredits French schools in the United States and works closely with the French Ministry of Education to train students in diplomacy and Francophone culture abroad.

During the semester, while she was taking classes on campus and interning in New York, Malatino gained hands-on experience, from welcoming distinguished guests from the Franco-American business sector and diplomats from across the world. She met with top French officials including the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Sports. Malatino was even able to welcome French President Emmanuel Macon to New York City for UN General Assembly High-Level Week.

“The internship was very demanding,” Malatino reflects, recalling her first semester at the consulate. “But this was opportunity that is only available in New York City, which is close by. It allowed me to improve my French and get real world diplomacy experience.”

To ensure your internship hours count towards course credit, Malatino says to connect with Mr. Robert Case and the School of Diplomacy’s Career Development Office. She recommends that students who are balancing internships and classes should pace themselves and make a schedule.

Next, Malatino is hoping to take part in the semester in DC program. A semester in D.C. offers an opportunity to enhance her French and security background. She states, “I am looking forward to doing a semester in Washington DC, where I can draw upon my time at the consulate office.”

Categories: Nation and World