Hello, my name is Olga Tseytlin and I am a rising Senior at the University of Pittsburgh with majors in Mathematics-Economics and History. Over the course of the next few months, I will be in Berlin, Germany as part of the International Internship Program.
A few fun facts: I have a very cute dog named Freddie, I am the youngest of three sisters, and I’m from West Virginia. I love reading, both fiction and non-fiction, drawing, and listening to podcasts (especially NPR’s Planet Money). In my free time, you can often find me exploring the outdoors, hiking, and biking. In this regard, I am especially excited to cycle around Berlin, since the city is so very flat and bike-able, especially when compared to Pittsburgh’s hilly terrain.
I chose to participate in the International Internship Program because it offered the opportunity to gain the “study abroad experience” while also developing professionally. I have long wanted the chance to explore the world, and this program allows me to do so in a purposeful and career-oriented way. Berlin especially interested me because of its history, culture, and economic significance. As a history major, I am fascinated by the city’s rich past, which is visible on nearly every street and landmark. At the same time, Berlin is one of Europe’s economic and innovation hubs, and I believe being immersed in such a dynamic environment will provide valuable insight into global business and international collaboration.
I am currently working as a research assistant at the Department of Economics (as a Cohen Fellow), which has given me the opportunity to become immersed in various fields of economics, including econometrics, experimental, behavioral, and historical economics. By working with economics faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, I have gained an understanding of economics research and the academic process. My hope is that the International Internship Program will provide me with perspectives in the private sector and help me determine where my professional interests lie. I am currently at a crossroads in my academic journey and am considering my options with respect to graduate school, so I hope this experience will bring me some clarity.
In my personal life, I hope that working in a foreign country will help me build confidence in navigating unfamiliar situations, and help me learn how to communicate and collaborate with various kinds of people. Academically and professionally, this program will help prepare me for my life during and after my undergraduate degree by arming me with practical and transferable skills.
I will be interning with SD Strategies, a policy and communications consultancy focused on sustainable development, climate, energy, and environmental policy. The firm works with governments, international organizations, civil society, and private sector partners to develop strategies that balance economic growth, social development, and environmental sustainability, and I will be assisting with research and supporting ongoing initiatives, particularly their Sustainable Democracies project.
I cannot wait for the things Berlin will bring me. More to come in the weeks following. Bis später!
