Fusing Academic Discoveries with Political Transformation
### Princeton Student's Transformative International Internship Experience Shines Light on Political Financing Regulations
Mai Kasemsawade '26, a Princeton University student, recently completed an internship with the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, through the university's International Internship Program (IIP). Her research project focused on advancing Malaysia's laws on funding for political parties to encourage a more democratic political scene.
Kasemsawade's research compared the policy implications of political financing regulations from different countries, with a particular focus on private funding in Malaysia's political financing, which she found to be susceptible to corrupt influence and policy capture. Her findings have been used to support a bill proposal to the Malaysian parliamentary subcommittee.
During her internship, Kasemsawade built strong relationships with her supervisor, co-workers, and fellow interns at IDEAS. She also wrote an op-ed article on Thailand Electrical Vehicle (EV) policy, which was published on Malaysia Business Today. Kasemsawade described her internship experience as a "home away from home," finding a supportive community at IDEAS.
The IIP offers hundreds of research opportunities every summer for current first-years through juniors. These internships are designed to broaden students' academic perspectives, build technical and cultural foundations, and develop professional skills in international settings. Placement locations and roles vary widely, with students interning in places like Athens, Greece, focusing on academic and cultural enrichment, and in Copenhagen, Denmark, working as publications and projects interns for organizations such as Eurofish.
The bill proposes that the state allocate a small portion of the national budget for public funding to political parties' finances and establish an independent commission to oversee political financing. Registration for an information session about IIP for the summer of 2024 will be available in October. It is recommended to connect with an IIP adviser and an IIP ambassador to learn more about the student experience.
For students interested in non-IIP international summer research opportunities (e.g., at private companies or research labs), they may need to apply directly to those organizations following their standard procedures. For IIP specifically, the process is managed internally by Princeton.
Mai Kasemsawade's experience demonstrates the potential transformative impact of the IIP. For the most current and detailed application instructions, students should consult the Princeton University Office of International Programs website or contact the office directly. Participation in IIP provides a valuable platform for academic growth, cultural exchange, and professional development in a global context.
- Mai Kasemsawade's education-and-self-development was significantly enhanced during her international internship with IDEAS, where she honed her research skills by investigating the issue of political financing regulations, a topic that falls under the category of general-news.
- The findings from Mai Kasemsawade's research, which emphasized the need for transparent political financing regulations, have been instrumental in supporting a bill proposal aimed at reforming Malaysia's political funding laws, thereby contributing to the promotion of democracy and combating corrupt practices in politics.
