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Lucas Koranda ‘26 has a long-standing passion for aviation, which began during his youth in Hawaii due to frequent travel between the islands. He also has a great interest in learning about different cultures and traditions, but had few opportunities to travel internationally before this summer.

Koranda was able to combine both of these passions into a rewarding educational experience this summer through the Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP), through which he became the first American to ever intern at WuliuAir, air freight forwarding and logistics company based in Lithuania.

“It was such an incredible and enriching experience,” Koranda said. “The example of Lee Iacocca, the benefactor of this program, inspired me to go into this internship with the mindset of being flexible, adventurous, and having a drive focused on what I wanted to get out of this experience, which I think made a huge difference.”

Koranda lived in a homestay during his internship in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius to better immerse himself in the culture. Along with his host family, he visited the Baltic Sea, rode a hot air balloon over Vilnius, and dressed in traditional Lithuanian clothing while attending Dainų šventė, a traditional festival featuring more than 4,500 singers and dancers.

“Just seeing thousands of people singing and dancing like that was such a remarkable scene,” Koranda said. “Even though I didn’t understand the language, I was there for the music, the people, the culture. Those experiences were really special for me.”

Koranda was among the 61 Lehigh students who interned in 18 countries this summer through IIIP. More than 800 students have interned in 58 countries since the program’s inception in 2011. The program provides practical work experience, grounded in global context, aimed at enhancing students’ career readiness and intercultural competency.

Koranda is pursuing dual degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering and Finance at Lehigh, and is expected to graduate in December 2026. He hopes to ultimately work in the aviation industry, focusing on network design, planning, or pricing strategies.

He interned from June 8 to July 19 at WuliuAir, which manages shipping logistics, documentation, customs, and local delivery. It was the only IIIP internship he applied for because he felt it aligned so perfectly with his interests and career aspirations.

“From the moment Lucas joined us, it was evident that he possesses a sharp mind and is a prospective student,” said Raminta Zubenienė, Director of Business Operations and Marketing at WuliuAir. “Having Lucas as part of our team was a genuinely rewarding experience, and we do not doubt that he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Koranda developed an early interest in cultural exchange while growing up in Hawaii and begin exposed to both Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures. He was drawn to the IIIP program because his studies would not otherwise allow him to pursue a traditional study abroad program during the semester.

“I’m always interested in finding the commonalities and differences among people,” he said. “What common ground do we have? What makes us intrinsically human? It’s these types of ideas that I was really eager to get out and explore in the world.”

Vilija and Ramūnas Skaudžius, the married couple who hosted Koranda, said this was their first experience as a homestay family. They described the decision as nearly spontaneous, influenced by Vilija’s own positive experiences from travels in the United States decades earlier.

“From our first hours together, it was clear that this was the best decision of the summer,” Vilija and Ramūnas said in a joint statement. “Lucas is incredibly flexible, attentive, curious, and respectful of others. He took every opportunity to fully experience Lithuania and was also eager to give back as much as he could.”

Koranda’s early tasks as WuliuAir included learning legal terms and logistics concepts. Later responsibilities involved quoting customers, quality assurance for packaging, and contributing to discussions or possible expansions into the United States. Zubenienė said she was particularly impressed with his adaptability and his proactive approach to problem-solving.

Koranda was first drawn to attend Lehigh due to its Integrated Business and Engineering program, which blends engineering and business disciplines. He feels it provides a unique approach to both disciplines and allows him to gain various skill sets and explore a wide range of career types.

“Lucas exhibits the kind of work ethic and personal integrity that makes everyone associated with him a better student and better teacher because he is part of our community,” said Pat Costa, professor of practice in industrial and systems engineering at Lehigh’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Koranda’s IIIP internship was offered in partnership with the American Councils program.