Internship Experience-IDSA-Niharika Virlley

Interning at one of the most renowned think tanks, the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, has broadened my horizons in the domain of research and the nuances within policy-making. Within a few weeks in the organisation itself, I witnessed a growth in my knowledge in a more pragmatic and a professional sense. The experience so far has been an enriching exposure of the real world and how intricate the development process is, when it comes to policy decisions at the national or the international level. Being a part of a number of conferences, interactions and lectures, by organisations and delegates from various walks of life, I have been exposed to areas that need to be critically analysed and be incorporated in policy-making. As part of the Internal Security Division at IDSA, I have not just worked towards my area of research, i.e., the domain of refugees, but an array of realms within the Division, thus, contributing to the organisation as well. The extensive bank of knowledge that the organisation possesses, in terms of journals, reference materials and even the experts with hands-on experience, has truly helped me in aligning my area of research and specialisation for the future.