In this Q&A, we speak with Ava Lockman, an international studies undergraduate, who was selected as an autumn 2024 recipient of the Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship award.
The Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship provides $2,000 to undergraduate and graduate Jackson School students serving in internships at organizations engaged in some aspect of international affairs.
Name: Ava Lockman
Degree: B.A. International studies
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2026
Hometown: Seattle, Washington
What made you choose the University of Washington?
I wanted to go to a big college with plenty of opportunities for me, from study abroad opportunities to joining clubs to going to sporting events — UW has all of this and more. I chose to come to UW because of those factors and because of its strong academics and knowing I would leave UW as a more educated world citizen than when I began.
What led you to the Jackson School?
I had no idea what I wanted to study when I came to UW, except for that I was interested in politics and wanted to learn more about cultures and regions of the world. This led me to take POL S 203: Introduction to International Relations my freshman fall quarter. Immediately, I knew I wanted to study international relations, so I made an appointment with my adviser, declared my major, and started to attend and immerse myself in Jackson School events.
What was your reaction to receiving the Jackson-Fosdick Memorial Internship Scholarship?
When I saw the email that I had received this scholarship, I was in a bit of shock — I knew it was a possibility that I would receive it when I applied, but I also knew it was highly competitive and wasn’t expecting to be awarded anything. Once the shock wore off, I felt accomplished, proud, and honored to have received this scholarship and so happy to see that my hard work is paying off. I have so much gratitude for everyone at the Jackson School for awarding me this, and for Dorothy Fosdick, whom this scholarship is named after.
What organization did you complete your internship at and what were your responsibilities?
I completed my internship at the World Affairs Council Seattle, working as a Community Programs Intern. I helped with all types of things community program-wise; this included brainstorming new events, publicizing and promoting upcoming events, researching background knowledge and preparation materials for moderators and event speakers, attending events and drafting summaries, and more.
How will this award help your goals and career path?
This award allowed me to dive deeper into my work with the World Affairs Council by taking some of the financial burden of being a college student off my shoulders. Because of this, I am gaining more experience and knowledge to take with me while I begin to explore my future career; having the support of this award gives me the confidence to lean into the opportunities offered to me through my internship, and wherever that may take me in the future.
What key skills have you learned at the Jackson School that you’ll apply to your career?
The most important skill I’ve been taught during my time at the Jackson School is that we are never done learning. Through my undergraduate studies so far, that theme has been consistent across nearly every Jackson School class I’ve taken; emphasized by my professors and classmates, I have been taught that we are still actively uncovering history, learning about traditions, cultures, and people, taking in new information, seeing conflicts unfold, watching nations form and fall, and more. My learning, not only as a student but also as a citizen of the world, is never done; I think this is such a valuable skill to take into my future career as it will allow me to have an open mindset in our ever-changing, increasingly polarized world.
What advice would you give to students considering applying for Jackson School Internship Scholarships?
My biggest piece of advice is to go for it! You never know until you try. I have applied to countless scholarships, internships, jobs, colleges, you name it, and I never thought I’d hear back from even half of the opportunities I have gone for. However, everything that I’ve put my fullest effort into has come back to me, which is why my best advice for any student considering applying for Jackson School Internship Scholarships is to simply sit down, give your best effort, and submit your application.