Spring 2009 Interns

Irene Burga is a senior at the University of San Diego. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2009 with a major in International Relations and minors in Management and Philosophy. Irene has been on the Dean's Honor List, is a member of the Political Science Honor Society, and has received the Gamma Phi Beta Scholar Award. She has studied abroad at ITESO University in Guadalajara, Mexico and at Richmond University in London, England. Irene has also spent time living in Spain and Peru. In addition to working in the USD Office of Annual Giving, Irene currently tutors Sudanese refugee children at the Community Service Learning Center. Previously, Irene has donated her time to work as a coordinator, participant, and contributor to the annual Breast Cancer Walk for Hope, and she has participated in several Mission Beach clean-up projects. After graduating, Irene is considering pursuing a career in law, conflict resolution, or diplomacy.  

Shawna Fehrman is a senior at the University of San Diego. She is a double major in International Relations and English, and she is scheduled to graduate in May 2009. Shawna has been on the Dean's Honor List and is currently a member of the Alcalá Senior Honor Society Mortar Board. She has participated in the Liberal Arts Study Abroad Program at St. Clare's in Oxford, England, and also in the One-on-One Tutorial Program at the University of Oxford. In 2007, Shawna traveled to the Philippines to live, work and volunteer with the Sisters of the Sacred Heart. She currently donates her time to assist with events and activities at the Romero Center for Faith and Action, where in the past she has organized and led Tijuana Service Trips, participated in an El Salvador Immersion Trip and tutored students at the Sudanese Community Center. Shawna has also spent time working as a University Ministry Retreat Leader, Founders Chapel Mass Minister and Americorps: Students in Service volunteer. In the future, she is interested in pursuing a career related to women's rights and the prevention of human trafficking.

Chris Groth received an M.A. in International Relations from the University of San Diego, and graduated cum laude from the University of California, Irvine, with a B.A. in Social Science and in Sociology. His research interests include regional security issues, specifically in East and South Asia; U.S.-China relations; and the war on drugs in Mexico. He was awarded the USD Graduate Grant and the Irving Salomon Political Science Scholarship, and published "In the Trenches: Fighting Mexico's War without End," in Comparative Politics and the War on Terror, ed. Lisa Papera and Randy Willoughby (San Diego, CA: University Readers, 2005). Chris currently works as an Analyst at SRA International, Inc. He will be the Graduate Intern at the IPJ, remaining at the institute through the spring semester 2009. He is currently assisting with the IPJ's Nepal Project.

Breyn Hibbs is a senior at the University of San Diego. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2009 with a major in Philosophy and minors in Leadership Studies and Asian Studies. In addition to taking part in the Honors Program at USD, Breyn has received several academic awards and scholarships including the American Humanics Certificate; the Undergraduate Academic Merit Scholarship ("Trustee Scholarship"); the Alcalá Senior Honor Society Mortar Board; the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation Scholarship; the National Panhellenic Conference Foundation Betty Quick/Gamma Phi Beta Scholarship; the North American Interfraternity Conference Richard G. Miller Memorial Scholarship; and the Western Region Greek Association's Marilyn Fordham Fraternal Values Award. Breyn has studied abroad in Guadalajara, Mexico; London, England; and San José and Monteverde, Costa Rica. Her volunteer and organizing activities include participating in orphanage and cancer hospital visits (while in Guadalajara), assisting with graffiti clean-up projects (while in London), and continuous involvement in philanthropic organizations including the City of Hope Biomedical Research, Treatment, and Educational Institute; the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; and the Reading is Fundamental Foundation. In the future, Breyn is interesting in pursuing a graduate degree in higher education leadership.

Csilla Kristof is a senior at USD majoring in International Relations. She is scheduled to graduate in May 2009. Csilla is currently completing a research project entitled: "U.S.-Russian Cold War Tensions in Post-Cold War Era." She spent the summer of 2008 studying abroad at Pécs University in Pécs, Hungary. Csilla is currently the Communications Director for the Alcalá Chapter of Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. Previously, she was a member of the US Disabled Ski Team from 1997-2004, during which time she won three silver medals in 2002 and was the three time World Slalom Champion. During her skiing career, Csilla frequently served as a motivational speaker discussing her racing experiences to elementary school students and disabled youth. Csilla has traveled extensively throughout Europe and to parts of Africa, and she is proficient in Hungarian and speaks some French.