A Passion for International Relations Realized in the Heart of D.C.
For most children, the news playing in the background is easy to ignore. But for young Payton Arbuthnot of Springfield, Colorado, it was a source of fascination — one that would eventually inspire her to pursue an internship with the State Department's Bureau of Overseas Buildings and Operations.
For most children, the news playing in the background is easy to ignore. But for young Payton Arbuthnot of Springfield, Colorado, it was a source of fascination — one that would eventually inspire her to pursue an internship with the State Department's Bureau of Overseas Buildings and Operations.
“I would come home from school every day, and my mom would be listening to the news. I was fascinated,” said Arbuthnot. “I thought it was the coolest thing to go to school and know what was happening in the world. That was the beginning of a passion.”
Through high school, Arbuthnot’s interest in politics grew and led her to major in political science at Cedarville University. Classes in international studies sparked her interest in foreign policy and international relations. Arbuthnot began to explore the idea of working in foreign affairs and landed an internship with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
As an intern with the Bureau of Overseas Buildings and Operations, Arbuthnot gained firsthand experience working in a government office. More importantly, she learned how diplomats and foreign officers prepare for assignments abroad and how various aspects of international relations operate. As the only intern on her floor, she took the initiative to demonstrate her determination and eagerness to learn.
“One of the most important things to do in an internship like this is to get out of your comfort zone,” added Arbuthnot. “I learned it is important to leave my cubicle and ask people questions. Those experiences helped me to continue to learn.”
Arbuthnot credited her time on Cedarville’s Model United Nations (U.N.) team with her ability to work well within the intellectually diverse environment of the State Department.
“Participating on the Modal U.N. team gave me the ability to think quickly about critical issues at a high level alongside people from different backgrounds,” said Arbuthnot. “Understanding intellectual diversity is a big part of working in the State Department.”
The internship confirmed Arbuthnot’s passion for international relations and gave her a goal of working in the State Department. After graduation in May, Arbuthnot plans to participate in The Rangel International Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program at Howard University. The fellowship supports fellows through graduate school, professional development, mentoring and entry into the U.S. Foreign Service.
Cedarville University, an Evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.