Grace Fitzgerald is a fourth-year, triple majoring in international studies, economics and French. During the spring of 2025, she had the opportunity to intern with the Canadian Consulate as a junior trade commissioner through a partnership program coordinated by MSU Canadian Studies Center, James Madison College and the Canadian Consulate.
Throughout my courses at Michigan State, I developed an interest in understanding why states make certain decisions and the political, economic, and social reasons behind them. I started my internship at the beginning of the second Trump Administration, just after President Trump implemented Project 2025.
Project 2025 includes aggressive changes to immigration policies and the imposition of baseline tariffs on imported goods. Working under the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate, Jan Scazighino, allowed me to see firsthand the drastic effects these policies have on the relationship between Canada and the United States.
Additionally, I have an immense interest in improving my French language skills and an appreciation for francophone cultures. Interning with the Consulate allowed me to apply my French language skills in the workforce, as many of the staff are native French speakers.
Throughout my internship, I was given opportunities to attend numerous events, including the Indiana Exporters conference, a small meeting at Eli Lilly Headquarters in Indianapolis with Consulate General Colin Bird, and an event in Lansing that hosted state representatives to support positive relationships with Canada. I gained experience in networking and gained a more comprehensive understanding of the political role consulates must take.
I worked on various projects for my supervisor and the trade commission team. These projects included vetting, pulling resources and data, building stronger client relations, condensing large amounts of data, designing, and creating innovative solutions within the agriculture, automotive, foreign direct investment, and clean tech sectors. I was also given the opportunity to run social media platforms for the Consulate General and Senior Trade Commissioner. These experiences led me to develop a deeper interest in foreign policies, government systems, cooperation, conflict, trade, and investments.
I currently use the skills I have gained during my internship in my classes to build connections in current international and domestic politics. I think fondly of my internship and the connections I made throughout the six-month term. I was given the opportunity to focus not only on trade but also on government relations and policy, which combined with my courses, has led to my strong interest in international law.
Watching and learning about the legal processes Canadians must follow to enter or live in the United States, particularly during the current political climate, sparked my interest in immigration law. I plan to take a gap year after I finish my undergraduate degree and, hopefully, work in domestic policy to deepen my understanding of the impacts of federal policies domestically and internationally. Afterward, I hope to attend law school to become an immigration lawyer, which would allow me to continue studying policy changes and make a positive impact in the community.