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Before this summer, Emily Buchanan ’25 had never traveled overseas—let alone imagined herself working on international policy. But through the Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP), she spent the past summer in Moldova, assisting an environmental organization supporting the country’s bid for European Union accession.

Buchanan, a Lehigh University senior majoring in environmental engineering, interned with EcoContact, a Moldovan nonprofit focused on environmental sustainability and policy. IIIP provides Lehigh students with mostly funded opportunities to intern or conduct research abroad, allowing them to gain global experience while working in their fields of interest.

EcoContact works closely with the Moldovan government, particularly as the country progresses through the EU accession process. Initially interested in gaining fieldwork experience, Buchanan instead found herself drawn toward the regulatory and policy-oriented nature of the work, particularly with regard to government standards.

“Moldova is hoping to become a legitimate EU country within the next few years, and part of that means conforming to strict European Union environmental standards,” Buchanan said. “It was really rewarding to be involved with such meaningful work, and it definitely wasn't what I was expecting when I started looking at internships.”

Gaining Global Experience

IIIP provides interns with practical work experience, grounded in global context, aimed at enhancing students’ career readiness and intercultural competency. More than 800 Lehigh students have had high-quality internships in 58 countries since the program’s inception in 2011.

Buchanan’s internship was facilitated through IIIP’s long-time partnership with American Councils for International Education. Elena Buliga, project assistant at American Councils, said EcoContact offers a unique environment where students like Buchanan can gain hands-on experience in the field of environmental advocacy and civil society building.

“Study abroad internships like this one are essential for helping students build not only technical knowledge but also global perspectives on key issues such as environmental sustainability,” Buliga said. “Emily’s experience highlights the value of international programs that allow students to apply their academic learning in real-world settings and make a tangible impact.

Buchanan said a particular highlight from her internship experience was staying with her host family in Chișinău, the capital of Moldova. The family—who included an 11-year-old son who was particularly excited about Buchanan’s visit—had experience hosting American students in the past and were enthusiastic and eager to show her around.

“We did a lot of exploring and went on a lot of walks throughout different parts of the city,” Buchanan said. “We went to a lot of museums and parks, and they even took me out to dinner for my birthday, which was really nice. It was a great experience.”

Hands-On Learning

Buchanan was drawn to Lehigh University because of the environmental engineering program offered at the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science. She is currently taking a Hazardous Waste Management class that aligns well with her internship experiences, and is considering pursuing a graduate degree in environmental policy in the future.

She was drawn to Moldova because it’s heavily agricultural, with challenges such as limited forests and outdated environmental practices. She didn’t want to take engineering classes abroad due to the language challenges and adjusting to a new environment, and found this internship was a more manageable option for international exposure.

"Emily's internship not only deepened her understanding of environmental policy but also helped her develop essential career skills, such as cross-cultural communication and adaptability. I’m confident she will continue to thrive in this field," said Anastassiya Perevezentseva, Assistant Director of IIIP.

Her primary responsibility at EcoContact involved reviewing and refining English translations of important documents, as most of the organization’s work is conducted in Romanian. She not only corrected the language, but also provided feedback and suggestions regarding Moldova’s environmental policies.

“Emily's work significantly impacted EcoContact’s mission and ongoing initiatives by enhancing the organization's capacity to contribute to environmental policy development and assessment,” said Natalia Guranda, Executive Director of EcoContact.

“Her contributions not only strengthened EcoContact’s role in supporting the Moldovan Ministry of Environment, but also aligned with the organization's goals of promoting sustainable environmental practices and improving decision-making processes,” Guranda said.

Tackling Environmental Challenges

One of Buchanan’s key projects was working on the management plan for the Lower Istru River Watershed. It covered various environmental aspects, including forest conservation, agricultural regulations, irrigation, and wastewater treatment. Only about 20% of Moldova’s original forests remain, making reforestation and watershed protection critical areas of focus.

Buchanan also reviewed the transcript of an interview with Moldova’s State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment. Additionally, she contributed to the development of a website for the Green Agenda, a coalition between Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, and Ukraine that compiles environmental resources and regulations into a single online platform.

“Her analytical skills and insights were instrumental in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of the project,” Guranda said. “Hosting international students like Emily for internships at EcoContact benefits both the organization and the interns, drawing on our extensive experience in environmental advocacy and policy development.”