Rebecca Peykar (SCW '28) reflects on her summer internship at The Diplomatic Institute.

Over the Summer of 2026, I had the wonderful opportunity of being an intern at The Diplomatic Institute, in which I worked closely with my boss Gabriel Haayon to facilitate partnerships with businesses and individuals both inside and outside of Israel. Within the internship, I was able to attend different political meetings and conventions, such as Somaliland’s Presidential visit to Israel, Muni Expo 2026 (one of Israel’s largest innovation exhibitions), and an exclusive networking event hosted by The Networking Club focused specifically on introducing Russian-Israeli business developers to one another. 

At this particular event, I had the pleasure of being a hostess with one of my coworkers, and we were responsible for making sure only people who were signed up and approved for the event were allowed to enter. This task was particularly challenging since neither my coworker nor I spoke Hebrew or Russian; however, I have done a similar job in a past internship, so I was able to get the hang of it quickly and help my coworker out when it became particularly busy or someone not on our list of attendees tried to enter the event. In addition to this experience, one of my main tasks was conducting thorough research on the Rich Farms Agricultural Cooperative Society of Nigeria [RIFACS] who reached out to The Diplomatic Institute in hopes of forming some kind of business relationship or sponsorship. My research and frequent communication with both the organization and my boss allowed me to facilitate a meeting between the two, who have since been in contact to form and finalize a partnership that benefits both parties and the public.

My time at The Diplomatic Institute is one I will always look back on with fondness. Over the course of my internship, I was given the space to discover how business relations work between different countries, and how Israeli leaders have their own distinct way of creating partnerships with people across the world who have different backgrounds and ways of speaking. Also, I was able to learn how Israel operates under a more relaxed work environment that allows for a less anxious or stressful experience, while leaving room for respectful communication and amiable relationships between coworkers at the same time. I feel that after working in Israel, I have not only become closer to the people, but to the land itself. Initially, the thought of spending my first time in Israel working was daunting, as I was not too familiar with the work culture, Israel itself, nor have I been away from my home and family for so long. However, after experiencing it, I can say wholeheartedly that it facilitated a greater appreciation for Israel and its people, as I was able to witness the pure drive, innovation, and support within the country.

Professionally, I became extremely aware of the differences between the work environments in particular countries and had to adapt quickly to how Israelis operate within the professional field. For instance, it was of crucial importance to know where it's appropriate to dress and act more casually, and where it is not. When it came to the office, my coworkers and I had the leeway to dress more casually; however, if attending a political meeting or convention, it was essential to be as best dressed as possible since we were not only representing ourselves to potential business partners, but the Institute as a whole. I also had great development in my communication skills, as a majority of the time I was conversing with people who did not speak English as their first language. In doing so, I learned how to more efficiently communicate ideas while still leaning on simpler vocabulary so as not to confuse anybody involved in the conversation, whether in person, over the phone, or by email. Additionally, I also became far more of an active listener when speaking to potential clients and partners to help fill in the lines if there was ever any trouble communicating anything.

I believe this type of work, such as communicating business ideas in hopes to improve technology, political relations, or build partnerships, is integral to not only facilitating production and prosperity, but also for creating friendly ties between different countries. Specific to Israel, such communication and ties can turn into direct support for the country which, especially now when anti-Zionism is on the rise, is of crucial importance. In pursuing similar research or internships, Straus Scholars can learn the details that are of utmost importance when it comes to communicating with people with whom you may have a language barrier, or how to properly appeal to what someone outside of your country wants for their own. Upholding proper international relationships relies on such details, as without the correct communication, such relationships will begin to crumble.