Global curiosity runs in Claire Gersich’s family. Her grandparents traveled the world, her mother spent months living in a van during study abroad programs, and her father worked across multiple countries. Growing up, the Jackson School undergrad absorbed these stories and developed a foundation of openness to different perspectives and a natural comfort with navigating unfamiliar environments.
“I was lucky enough to be able to travel a lot as a child, developing a learning style rich with a passion for discovery, curiosity, and cultural exploration,” Gersich said.
That early exposure crystallized during high school, when she studied abroad in Spain. According to Gersich, that experience revolutionized her thinking about culture, language, and politics, setting her on a path toward international studies.
At the University of Washington, an introductory international relations course confirmed her direction, leading her to the Jackson School, where past experiences became building blocks for future growth.
“Within the major, I saw my past interests, experiences, and educational endeavors act as building blocks for future academic and professional progress,” Gersich said, describing her journey as mirroring international studies itself: assembling different pieces to solve a broader life puzzle.
For Gersich, two experiences defined her time at UW: the Donald C. Hellmann Task Force Program and International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise (ISCNE).
Claire Gersich during the March 13 Task Force Evaluation Day. Photo by Kerry Dahlen
In Task Force, Gersich and 14 other Jackson School undergrads spent 10 weeks fostering community while developing research, writing, and presentation skills for their final report, “China’s Space Diplomacy Around the World.”
“Not only could you tangibly see academic progress throughout the quarter, but you also saw the creation of a community of students, working together toward a common goal,” Gersich, who previously talked to the Jackson School about her experience in Task Force, said. “The Task Force project was a fantastic experience that I will carry with me into my professional life.”
During ISCNE, Gersich served as Head of Delegation, leading her team through weeks of preparatory sessions before an intense weekend of simulated negotiations.
“This opportunity showed me hands-on how international negotiations and cooperative efforts work, and allowed me to understand how different countries act differently in a given situation,” Gersich said. “It helped broaden my perspective of the world and confirm that working towards greater international understanding and cooperation is something that I want to work to achieve.”
Beyond the Jackson School, Gersich has served as a legislative intern for the U.S. House of Representatives and an intern in the office of Rep. Kim Schrier; Gersich was also recognized for her interest in diplomacy and foreign affairs this year, when she was awarded the 2026 David Hughes Endowed Scholarship.
After graduating this spring, Gersich hopes to pursue graduate education abroad in international relations.
“I am dedicated to working toward a safer and more secure world for all, and I hope to use a solid academic foundation as a base for a global career in diplomacy down the line,” she said.
