This summer I had the opportunity to spend six weeks in Berlin—a city that thrives on volatility and capriciousness. On the Duke in Berlin summer program, I took a German class and an Economics class, both of which facilitated my cultural immersion into Berlin as I went around the city talking in German and taking in its history, candor, and diversity. . My economics class examined the economics of the Energiewende allowing me to explore the intersection of energy, politics, and finance. The accessibility of multicultural food was my favorite part about Berlin- it was easier to find authentic international food than German food. From the Berlin Cathedral to the Victory Columns and the Treptower Park, Berlin reeks of the conflict, confusion, and war that have significantly contributed to its development. Duke in Berlin was a platform to understand and absorb the past while interacting with the culture, organizations, and infrastructure that formulate a contemporary Berlin.

After completing Duke in Berlin, I returned to my home country of Pakistan for the last six weeks of summer break. I interned at Vellani & Vellani, a law firm specializing in corporate, company, and intellectual property law. As a Corporate Research intern, I participated in rigorous coursework and research to gain an appreciation for the intersection of law and the corporate world. I drafted motions, orders, and memos and observed 75 hours of client meetings, negotiations, and court proceedings to experience various advocacy techniques and legal principles in action.

This past summer was an exciting learning experience that allowed me to explore the intersection of various disciplines and meet some incredible people whose invaluable mentorship will continue to guide me throughout my college career and beyond.