This summer, I got to meet a president.

No, not the head of a local organisation, but an actual live-in-the-flesh foreign leader. President Ma Ying-jeou of the Republic of China (Taiwan) paid his first ever state visit to St. Kitts and Nevis this summer, one of only 5 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to recognise the sovereignty of his people. As an intern in my governments Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I was up close and personal for both the logistics and the fanfare of his visit. When you watch a state visit or dinner on TV, you covet the dinner menu and the clothing, (probably while making snarky remarks about both), but you never think about the work that goes into pulling off the event. St. Kitts and Nevis is small, and as the staff at the Ministry numbers less than 10, we all had to perform a variety of different roles, from assisting in immigration procedures to delivering and writing briefings. President Mas visit was good practice for an even bigger event the 30th anniversary of my countrys independence from Britain (September 19). I was part of the Secretariat that planned the month-long celebration. Activities ranged from fitness walks and concerts, to banquets and cocktails, and to the annual highlight of the independence parade. Dozens of foreign dignitaries came to St. Kitts and Nevis to help us commemorate that special occasion. I assisted in their protocol (which often meant heading to the airport at weird hours) and acted as their Foreign Service Officer during their visits with the Prime Minister and other ministers of government. In keeping with the mantra of most interns, I often felt over-worked and underpaid. At times, I really just wanted to have a lazy, normal summer. But I know that the knowledge and contacts that I got during my internship will be useful as I now look towards my own career path. Not many people can say theyve had the experience I had. Im very grateful to have been given the opportunity to serve my country, and hopefully, when I apply for jobs next year, theyll remember that I wasnt half-bad!