My name is Sandra Ukrainka, and I am a Ukrainian studying government at Georgetown University. I grew up in Kyiv. I now reside in the U.S., though I am still deeply connected to Ukraine through my journalism against the ongoing war. This past summer, I created a personal blog reporting on Ukraine’s politics and culture as part of my internship with the Temple of Understanding.
The Temple of Understanding is an interfaith organization focusing on promoting human rights through dialogue, diplomacy, and public service. Every summer, TOU provides a cohort of driven students from all over the world, ages 18-22, an opportunity to intern and learn at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Every intern gets the chance to take notes of UN committee meetings, research at the UN library, and attend and sometimes even speak at events hosted by UN partner organizations, ranging from NGOs to embassies and permanent missions. The interns are also required to pick a theme, specifically related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, that they wish to research and present on for their final project. Hopefully it is something they are passionate about, since the presentation is 25 minutes long!
The Temple of Understanding 2026 intern cohort.
What drew me to this internship is the childhood dream of working at the UN. I wanted to see what it would be like to be a diplomat or a political attaché for a day (or, a month, in this case), and to feel like the words that I said out loud on the international stage actually had a positive impact. My desire to build my professional career around advocacy was deepened even more when the war in my home country started on Feb. 24, 2022. Interning with TOU gave me the opportunity to speak out about the war in Ukraine, and call the attention of today’s leaders to issues that matter to me. So, how exactly did I do that? Well…
On July 25th, the summer 2026 cohort of interns arrived at 777 UN Plaza bright and early. The day started with breakfast and socializing where the interns got to meet their mentors for the program, connect with one another, and start brainstorming for their passion projects. The next day, the group visited the UN headquarters for the first time where we received professional badges. We toured across the General Assembly Hall and the UN Security Council, ending with a team lunch at the UN cafeteria overlooking the East River. After hours, many of the interns explored NYC’s popular gems, from the High Line and Hudson Yards to Times Square and all the way to Brooklyn Bridge. Playing games at a coffee shop and laughing while forming lasting friendships was the highlight of the interns’ first weekend.
The 2026 TOU interns learn about the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs.
Over the next week, the cohort had the opportunity to speak with and ask questions to representatives from various political, religious, and social organizations. We talked with former interns in an Eco Justice For All panel, exploring the role of policymaking in environmental advocacy. We attended a meeting with the UN Population Fund to discuss the reality of women’s rights and issues across the world, and participated in a mindfulness and cultural education workshop at a local Won Buddhist temple. We concluded the week by serving at a food kitchen called POTS (Part of the Solution) in the Bronx. Some interns gathered over the weekend to celebrate the 4th of July near the Brooklyn Bridge, and the fireworks did not disappoint. The program resumed on week three with a visit to a Sikh temple where the cohort got the chance to learn more about Sikhism, try cultural food and drink, and engage in a prayer and religious musical performance.
On July 7th, the High Level Political Forum (HLPF)—a week-long conference where nations discuss their progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals—opened up with law professor Lorena Bachmaier Winter sharing her views on the intersection between law and international affairs. Interns had flexibility in choosing the specific HLPF events they wished to attend, with some focusing on gender equality, access to water, or sustainable AI development. Topics ranged so widely that everyone could find something of interest! After challenging themselves intellectually, the interns got to test their mental and physical strength while volunteering at an environmental homestead on Randall’s Island. The week came to a finish with a Peace Boat USA event where several interns had the rewarding experience of presenting their passion project to a full room of political leaders and professionals, followed by networking and a rooftop soiree.
In the second half of the internship, the team got to meet with Johanna Friman, the founder of the Pamoja Girls, an activist organization promoting women’s rights. The Temple of Understanding hosted our own side event where we shone a light on the importance of cooperation in a politically-divided world, yielding some profound conversations about leadership and governance. During our visit with the European Delegation to the UN, we asked the EU’s Youth Delegate some provoking questions regarding the role of the EU and the UN in peacemaking, and then headed to a local elementary school to teach a class on Sustainable Development Goals. The next day, the interns discussed what it means to be a diplomat with the Representative from the Rwandan Delegation, and we concluded the week with a fun bonding activity where, thanks to a fellow intern, we got to learn a few hip hop dance moves together.
The 2026 TOU interns learn from Harvey Seifter about creativity, empathy and leadership.
The last week was both a time for excitement and bittersweet goodbyes. On July 20, the interns met with Harvey Seifter, a pioneer in the world of ethics, art, and science. He talked about the significance of empathy in leadership and engaged with the interns in interactive activities that encouraged them to think critically about their own roles as aspiring leaders of the political climate. The last two days were dedicated to the interns’ presentations, which were both unique in content and method of analysis. Some focused on labor rights, others shared their home countries’ politics and culture, and some dove deep into the sustainable development goals that they had the chance to learn about during the HLPF.
The cohort received their certificates of completion and even personalized awards at the closing ceremony, and with that, the 2026 season came to a close. The TOU summer internship taught us skills beyond just networking, public speaking, or political reporting; it also enabled us to expand our worldview, challenge our preconceived biases, and explore our professional interests in a rigorous but supportive environment. Thank you to the interns, mentors, and speakers for such an unforgettable, eye-opening, and genuinely exhilarating experience!