Real World Liberia: “Team Liberia II”

In a previous blog, I mentioned that there were 14 interns living together in the same apartment in Monrovia. We share bedrooms, water bottles, PB&J on white bread every morning, and a bus to work. We are learning quite a lot about one another and have bonded through laughter, tears, frustration, exhilaration, and a lot of palm oil.


I learn so much from my fellow interns — from their stories and observations about work, about Liberia, and about the world. I thought I’d take this opportunity to introduce them… I’ll include their native country, school, program of study, the Ministry they currently work in, and a fun fact.

Anna (USA) (second from left)
Ministry of Education
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Law School
Master of Public Policy - Juris Doctorate


Axelle (Haiti)
Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee
Georgetown University
Master of Science in Foreign Service
Beautified scenic outlooks in Arkansas and gutted houses in New Orleans as an AmeriCorps Volunteer.

Claire (USA)  
Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of Gender and Development
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Policy
Against all Monrovian odds, eats salad and runs daily.


Conchita (Spain)  
Ministry of Finance
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
Master at rejecting marriage proposals from random men.

David (USA)
Ministry of Justice
Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Law School
Master of Public Administration - International Development & JD
Knows almost everything there is to know about Shostakovich. Respect.

Diane (Hong Kong) (on left)
Ministry of Finance
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
Has never missed a day of work in her life; worked through a 102 degree fever in Liberia.

Inigo (Mexico) Ministry of Internal Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
Cool, shy, Salsa Master. Can dance with two women simultaneously. Shoes and belt match.

Jeremy (USA)

Ministry of Internal Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
Our risk-loving benevolent dictator.


Kaleb (Ethiopia)
Ministry of Health
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
Won us all over by bringing world-renowned coffee from his native Ethopia.

Laura (USA)
Ministry of Gender & Development
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Policy
Wears mostly African clothes to work and sometimes thinks in Hausa.


Leah (USA)
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Tufts University, Fletcher School
Master of Arts in Law & Diplomacy
our Reggae Queen, she is taking Liberian peace to a whole new level.


Preya (Britain)
Ministry of Finance
Harvard Kennedy School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
International Woman of Mystery, Bollywood Diva.





Shireen (USA)
Ministry of Internal Affairs
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School
Master of Public Administration - International Development
Kicked off Real World Liberia -- in Cambridge, in Style.

Tamara (USA) (on right)
Liberia Reconstruction and Development Committee
Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School
Master of Public Administration - Master of Business Administration
Our Resident Camp Counselor. Also lived in Iraq for one and a half years.