The Dream

Since my early days as a Sydney boy, I grew up on a diet of New York-centric popular culture. The famed glorious city that is the Big Apple was this exciting place where you went to fulfil your dreams, to reach your potential, to take the road not taken. Being a child of the 90's, representations of New York entranced me on television: the bright lights of Times Square, the graceful Brooklyn Bridge, the might of the Empire State Building, the serene greenery of Central Park, the wacky fun of Coney Island.

When I reached Grade 7 in the year 2000, I made myself a promise. That I will definitely visit New York someday and that my first ever trip there will be unforgettable! That I will do something so out of the ordinary and just, you know - extraordinary!. Little did I know, at the tender age of just 12, that this prophetic wishful longing would come true someday, and that I would exceed even my own expectations!

The Opportunity

We now fast forward to 2010. The world has changed much in the past decade. 9/11. Middle East crisis worsening. Ethnic cleansing continuing in Eastern Europe, Africa and Southeast Asia. China flexing its muscles at international conferences as a formidable and rising world power. The European Union playing a larger role in international politics and economics. Swine Flu. Bird Flu. Australia desiring closer relations with our Asian neighbours. Terrorist attacks left, right and centre. International security at a tense stage.

I was now poised, at the senior stages of my combined Law/Arts (International Relations) degree and I realised that I was very passionate about global issues, international law and relations, international business and finance, human rights, geopolitics and foreign affairs, and much more. Having been published in these areas for the past few years in the academic world(Yes, I can be the King of Nerds sometimes), I really wanted to break free and experience the field of foreign affairs and international law. I was considering a career with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade..

In February 2010, after returning from studying European Law and Politics in Germany I came across a golden opportunity. A vacancy was posted on the internet for an unpaid three month** internship at the Australian Consulate-General, New York. Ding Ding Ding! Bells of excitement went off in my head instantly. And you know what? The moment I read the job posting, I immediately visualised myself, as an intern, at the hallowed halls that is the Australian Consulate, New York. I just knew it was mine for the taking. I just knew it had to be for me. What to do? What to do??? I applied immediately!

We now approach March 2010. After a month of waiting with bated breath, the Director of Media & Public Affairs at the Consulate contacted me for a phone interview. Sydney time 6.30am. I literally did cartwheels around the house. My mum wanted to commit me to a mental asylum at that stage, much to my delight - she was right. I had gone crazy. Crazy for my dream. One step closer..

But what to expect for the interview itself? Whilst I had interviewed for paralegal positions and retail positions which I was successful in obtaining, this was completely different. I came up with an approach - treat the interview like it's a 'make a new friend' session and simply be me. And seriously, it worked out well. Although my heart was still pounding I was able to relax and get across why I would be the best man for the job. I don't want to sound up myself or anything but I really knew that no one else wanted this more than me. And I just KNEW I was THE best person for this role, I just knew it. Trust me, you don't get anywhere by doubting yourself. You have to BELIEVE in your destiny. Anyway I digress..

A second interview followed a week later with the Australian Vice Consul-General, who told me she heard good things about me from the first interviewer. My heart was literally in my throat...so close..I thought..so so close..

For the next fortnight I just prayed to God. Being a believer, I knew in my heart that God will play a hand in my destiny. However, I always knew this also: for God to help me, I had to help myself. If I simply sat there and waited, nothing would be handed to me. I had to be a go-getter, push for the things I want, reach for the stars..

And then, at the end of March I was contacted by the Consulate - I had been offered the internship. I literally was 'flying past the stars on silver wings' as Matilda described in Roald Dahl's masterpiece. And then the next two big hurdles: the internship being unpaid and how to convince my parents to let me go?!!!

The Hurdles

The obstacle of an unpaid internship did not stop me though; it just motivated me to work harder. I was determined to do this internship in New York. I sacrificed sleep and going out and partying for a few months to work lots of shifts at four separate jobs I held down. Seriously. I worked day and night, night and day, in my sleep, standing on my head. My sister jokes that I would have rented myself out if I had to which made me laugh. But all jokes aside, I wanted that internship to happen and come to fruition, more than anything else I have ever wanted, other than getting into law school. It was all worth it as it was such a life changing experience.

Money was an issue, but I could save up for that. Something I can control to some extent at least. But my beloved parents were another matter entirely. They were dead set against me going. And I mean dead set. As the eldest child and son in a family that has cultivated well groomed, well bred, well educated children, I knew that my sheltered upbringing would not be easy to break out of. Still, we all need to cut the apron strings at some point right? My parents came up with many reasons to not let me go:

  1. The internship is unpaid. Why work for nothing? Why work for free?
  2. America is dangerous. Terrorist attacks have happened there. You are not white plus you are Muslim - America is rife with Islamaphobia at the moment. You could get killed - stabbings and shootings happen there.
  3. It is too far away. It is for too long a period. We will miss you too much. Your siblings will miss you too much.
  4. Your sister is in Grade 11, she needs your support.

And so for several weeks there were debates back and forth. Tears from Mum, silence from Dad, attempted persuasion from my sister("Don't go, see how sad Mum and Dad have become at the THOUGHT of you going"). Being skilled in the art of argument (thank you law school!), I had an answer for everything. Usually my parents are very supportive of my endeavours but in this situation I found myself standing up to them in a real sense for the first time in my life. This wasn't just a little tiff about me staying out late; this was a true battle of the wills. Deep down, I knew my folks had my best interests at heart. I don't know about the rest of you, but I find it difficult sometimes to stand up to the people I love, let alone argue with them.

To be completely honest, I could see validity in the points my family made against me going. It was, and still is, a dangerous and unpredictable world out there. While I never think of the colour of my skin or the religion I come from, I was very conscious of the world I was living in at the time. A world which has become cautious and fearful of anyone different. But this is exactly what strengthened my resolve in the end. I decided that, you know what? I feel that as a proud Australian, a Muslim, of Bangladeshi heritage who was interested in pursuing an internship in the United States of America, I was in a position to build bridges between people. I wanted to break all the stereotypes and show that Australians, Bangladeshis and Muslims are peace-loving people(given my identity encompasses all three). I wanted to represent Australia, my beloved country, on an international level. I had to do this, as I explained to my parents.

Nothing in this world comes without risks, especially something worth having and pursuing. Did Marco Polo hesitate? Christopher Columbus? Marie Curie? Martin Luther King? Alexander the Great? Jesus Christ? Mahatma Ghandi? Sheikh Mujjibur Rahman? Galileo? When faced with challenges and risks, these amazing individuals stood by their beliefs and pursuits. I drew my inspiration from the great men and women in history. They believed in themselves, and so would I.

As it turns out, my relentless campaigning and lobbying with the folks paid off. PowerPoint presentations, poems, drawings, photographs, accounts from friends who have travelled to America. I utilised everything I had at my disposal to gain their approval. They're approval was very important to me and I wanted their blessing. Ultimately they relented. They saw my determination. They saw I had saved money up for it - I didn't ask for one penny of assistance from them or anyone. From there it was all good - my family are the ones who are most proud of me now!

I have to say though, I could not have gotten through those difficult weeks without the support of my best friends(you know who you are), who encouraged me to not give up, and urged me to just go for it! I could not have done it without them. Going through something like this really makes you realise and reaffirm to yourself, who your truest friends are, if you didn't know it already.

Okay so I've covered the first part - the 'hurdles'- more than I had intended to. But I think I owed it to my readers to give them a full picture of the process and what I had to go through in order realise this dream of working in New York city, which leads me to..

The Internship

I left for New York at the end of April to begin my internship at the Consulate. A long haul flight to Los Angeles, and then a transfer flight to get to John F. Kennedy Arport landed me in the Big Apple. I had finally arrived. I had this tingling sensation all over my body, everything was just totally intense. It is the done thing that before you begin working or studying somewhere that you arrive at least a week or two in advance, to settle in and such to get a feel for the place. No such luck for me. For some reason April flights were completely booked and I was lucky I made it on the plane, so I essentially landed in NYC the day before my internship started.

On the first day of my internship I left early to catch the subway metro train to 150, East 42nd Street - home of the Consulate-General - smack bang in the middle of Manhattan. As luck would have it, the moment I stepped out of the house in my Armani suit (cost me an arm and leg), there was a thundering clap in the sky - and the heavens opened up, pouring with all their might the punishing rain that befell me. It could easily have been a scene from the Biblical event The Great Flood, when Noah's Ark was floating around the oceans. Being splattered down upon with hoards of rain did my spirits. As I was being given a free shower by the machiavellian Manhattan skies, I was thinking "God, why now, why after all that?" - but I quickly made myself snap out of self-pity mode! No time for self pity, I had a job to do! So even though I turned up to my first day on the job looking like a drown victim, I began my work at the Consulate with relish after a quick orientation.

Now: the internship in itself was an amazing experience, and very eye opening. To be able to give readers an understanding of the kind of work there, we should pay due attention to the bottom line and aims of the Consulate-General, as stated on it's website:

The Consulate-General aims to influence perceptions of Australia, and raise awareness of Asia Pacific issues, through it's extensive contacts with New York-based media and think tanks as well as educational and cultural institutions. It also provides consular and passport services to Australians who live in and visit New York and the northeast of the United States.

In keeping with these aims, my work at the Consulate involved the following:

  1. Researching international and economic issues
  2. Conceptualising and developing programs aimed at fostering friendship between Australians and New Yorkers
  3. Contribution of Australian thought and activity to the northeast of the United States
  4. Record keeping at the Consulate's New York Young Leaders leadership conversations and seminars
  5. Briefing the Consul-General on various current projects which were intended to further Australian interests in northeast USA
  6. Engaging in public diplomacy events aimed at furthering Australian interests in the USA
  7. Managed guest lists and correspondence for several major events

Some highlights include meeting internationally acclaimed journalist Prue Clarke, interviewing famous Australian actor Ernie Dingo and musician Rupert Boyd, meeting famous human rights activist Janet Benshoof, attending a 60th anniversary of a country's independence celebration(being personally invited by a foreign diplomat), posing for a picture with my favourite American author Jennifer Lancaster among many others. I was able to forge friendships with international lawyers, diplomats, scientists, doctors, investment bankers, writers, artists, social activists and social workers, energy scientists, policy makers, government personalities and the list continues.

I loved the New York Young Leaders conversations and seminars, which had themes ranging from energy, human rights, politics, finance, poverty and so forth. Everything was a learning experience, and everything was fun and interesting. I came to like this program so much that I took the initiative to tap into New York's young talent as a resource and recommended further young leaders to the program. Forging friendships with these young global leaders deepened my passion for being active in public life and community - what better way is there to serve society?

During my time at the Consulate, I was primarily reporting to the Public Diplomacy Team under the mentorship of its director Michelle Lee, a famous journalist, formerly of the Australian ABC. I also had the pleasure of working with the Australian Consul-General Phil Scanlan - an amazing and accomplished man I continue to look up to. I accompanied the Cultural Relations Officer Fiona Gosschalk to cultural events promoting Australia, and even provided consular assistance to an Australian in need while overseas, as well as doing a rotation in the passports department. Simply put, my experience at the Consulate was varied, challenging and unforgettable.

Having such a full plate in a full time job in one's own town, city, country is challenging enough, but doing so after settling into a global alpha metropolis, in a foreign country even still - added an extra dimension and a further challenge to the whole experience, which in itself was exciting and motivating. When I was described by staff members as 'a self starting personality, who provides insight, a fresh approach and is active in engagement' it felt like I was complete, that feedback meant so much to me.

The Surrogate Family

I was very lucky because some family friends of mine insisted I live with them for the duration of my internship. They have been friends with my family for over 20 years and it would have been churlish to decline their kind invitation. No need to worry about accommodation and renting costs - sweet! That aside, I was so glad and relieved to live in a home with a semblance of family life. The Auntie's love, affection and cooking felt like my Mother's, the Uncle's advice and guidance felt like my Father's, and the two adorable 'cousins' who I got to hang out and play games with, they really became my family. The kindness and love they had shown me can only come from a filial bond, and that is what I experienced. I could not have navigated New York without them. I will admit, I missed my family a lot. So I am really glad that my surrogate family gave me the warmth of a loving home.

The City That Never Sleeps

Ahh...I've saved the best for last - the Big Apple itself! New York literally is the city that never sleeps - and neither did I, with good reason....there's so much to do and see there!

Living in New York City is unlike living anywhere else in the world. Yes, there are other big cities out there, but New York has this unique character. There is simply just too much to do and see. Climbing the mega-skyscrapers such as the Empire State Building, walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, lining up for the famous Grimaldi's Pizza, exploring the art displays at the Union Square markets, posing with the Wall Street Bull in Wall Street, stopping by the New York Stock Exchange, the Metropolitan Museum of Art - that's 5000 years of art right there - to exploring the myriad of Chinatowns scattered throughout the city as well as the Little Italies. That's the great thing about New York too, it really is a melting pot so you are never really 'an outsider' - you can always find your own kind among the masses of friendly people.

On the topic of friendliness for a moment, I will be the first to admit that the populace of this grand city are always on the go, moving to and fro, very busy in wanting to get to their destination. But if you are lost, or ask for help, most will stop and be very friendly and try to help you. Any rudeness I experienced was random and probably because the person was having a bad day. I definitely feel that New York gets an unfair rap on it's level of friendliness. There are good and bad, friendly and unfriendly everywhere, universally, it's not confined geographically.

Other highlights for me included seeing the play Wicked on Broadway, touring the United Nations Headquarters, visiting the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island, climbing the Chrysler Building, watching a baseball game in the Yankee Stadium, eating a hotdog at Coney Island while spinning around in a giant teacup. Playing hide and seek with my young cousins would not have topped the list if we had not done it at the leafy green Central Park!

Spending my hard earned money on shopping trips to Bergdorf Goodmans, Bloomingdale's, and the Gucci, Armani, Hermes, Luis Vuitton boutiques on 5th Avenue I am ashamed to say, happened more often than not! But hey, we all live once! I felt like a million dollars during my time living and working in Manhattan.

Coffees and brunches are a way of life in NYC. - Saturdays and Sundays are abuzz with excitement. Nightclubs, discos and thousands of concerts and shows - RNB, Pop, Rock, Classical, Grunge at Madison Square Garden, and comedy clubs in Brooklyn. I really came to understand how even after a lifetime of living there, New Yorkers never get bored of their city - it is a sprawling megapolis that just keeps expanding with new ideas, events and excitements!

Where else could a boy of 22 stand in front of Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' painting, go dancing in Greenwich Village, then go to a classical pianist's performance the next day, and eat cupcakes at the famous Magnolia Bakery after a hard day's work, then have dinner at exclusive restaurant Pasti's? And then check out a burlesque or cirque soleil acrobatic show? Or go to a movie premiere and see Sarah Jessica Parker? Yep, you guessed it.

The Verdict

I am very proud of myself for having completed an internship in New York. Gaining experience in foreign affairs and being in the diplomacy team in the financial capital of the world exposed me to various careers, and various fields such as finance, business, mergers and acquisitions, energy and policy.

This experience solidified my confidence, communication skills, and gave me a renewed strength to continue to pursue my dreams. It instilled ambition in me. It does not matter what walk of life one comes from, what race, religion, culture one is, or how much money one has. Where there is a dream and lots of determination, one can't just continue to simply 'dream', one also has to do. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one single step as Lao-tzu once told us. Where there is a will, there really is a way.

Deep in my heart, I thank God first, because it wouldn't have happened without his support(thanks God - you rock!), my loving and supportive parents, my siblings - particularly my little sister who gave me the encouragement, boost and drills I needed to strengthen my confidence and face the nerve wracking phone interviews - and ofcourse my friends in Australia, in America who helped me along the way, and finally, my colleagues and friends at the Consulate in New York, who helped me take on a journey that would let me see into my own soul, and find that I have the guts to go to the other side of the world to prove myself!

I remember the speech I gave at my farewell at the Consulate last year. One line stands out in my memory the most: "You can achieve anything you want, if you just believe in yourself."

Needless to say, I completely recommend completing an international internship, especially in New York City. The knowledge and skills set you gain are lifelong and will take you to amazing heights. Working at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade changed and moved me in so many ways, and for the better.

I definitely encourage others - young and old - to never stop dreaming and to pursue them relentlessly. As the Nike slogan says "Just Do It"!

**I completed the internship in 6 weeks due to a scholarship offer to study in Japan. However spending half of three months there did not deduct the time and experience that was spent there - I just had to fit in three months' worth of work and tasks into that time frame!