Grace Tovkach is a fourth-year undergraduate student, majoring in International Studies and Dual Languages (French and Russian). Although born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, her work and studies have taken her to Kyrgyzstan, France, Armenia, and a lot of places in between. Grace is affiliated with the Center for African Studies and most recently took courses in African politics and China-Africa relations.
Grace is currently an intern with the U.S. Department of State through the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program (USFSIP), which consists of two consecutive summer internships: a domestic assignment in a policy office in Washington, D.C., and an overseas assignment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. 
This past summer, she worked in the Office of East African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State supporting policy development and U.S. diplomatic initiatives for Djibouti, Eritrea, Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda. Her work included political research and compiling foreign media reports. She also drafted numerous public statements regarding U.S. policy in Africa for U.S. Congress, the media, and the public, as well as briefing materials for a cabinet-level U.S. official’s visit to an African country. However, probably the highlight of her internship experience was representing the Bureau of African Affairs at a diplomatic event hosted by the Tanzanian Embassy in D.C., where she met H.E. Elsie S. Kanza, Tanzanian Ambassador to the U.S. and Mexico, and tried some fantastic Tanzanian barbecue.
As for what she considers her takeaways from this internship, she treasures how much (and how quickly!) she was able to learn in-depth about certain African issues. Also important: always have a blazer on hand for an unexpected meeting.
After graduation, Grace will receive an overseas diplomatic assignment at a U.S. Embassy in Africa, continuing her engagement with African studies. While she is unsure about what the future holds, she would like to pursue a career in either diplomacy or conference interpreting.