EPIC field office in Iraq welcomes a new cohort of interns – young professionals seeking to add practical experience to their academic backgrounds in humanitarian affairs, international relations, security studies, political science, public relations, and beyond. We are grateful for their contributions to our research, action, and advocacy, and for the opportunity for them to support Iraq and its people. Please join us in welcoming our summer 2021 interns: Hero, Haya, and Vallia!

Hero Ahmad graduated from Salah ad-Din University’s College of Art, department of English Language and Literature. She has two years of experience as a teacher, three years of experience in office management, and has also worked as a volunteer in local organizations. Born and raised in Iraqi Kurdistan Iraq, a place that suffers from political instability and challenges to human rights, Hero is enthusiastic to learn more about human rights advocacy. Through her internship at EPIC, Hero hopes to gain more understanding of the problems facing Iraq and the means to address them.

Haya al-Alawi is a Beirut born Iraqi. She received her Bachelor of Arts’ degree in political science and international affairs, with distinction, from the Lebanese American University (LAU) in Beirut. During her undergraduate studies, she focused on studying various aspects of Lebanese and Iraqi politics, earning the 2020 Endeavor Award from the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at LAU for her research. Haya also completed an internship at the Iraqi Embassy in Beirut, where she gained deeper insight into Lebanese-Iraqi diplomatic relations. Haya is looking forward to taking part in EPIC’s initiatives of advancing democratic values and peace by engaging with Iraq’s youth community.

Vallia Imad has graduated from Koya University’s College of Science, and has been teaching math for five years. Driven by her curiosity and desire for learning new things, Villia joined EPIC to become a more engaged citizen in her country’s social and political issues.