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On 7th May, 2025, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) hosted a special career seminar at Waseda University with 75 attendees. The seminar outlined the IDB’s key objectives and showcased the various internship programs available at the headquarters in Washington D.C., USA, including the university-sponsored programs, of which Waseda University was the first Japanese institution ever to have participated. Through these opportunities, a number of Waseda students have interned and eventually gone on to work in consulting and permanent positions at the IDB, highlighting just one of the beneficial outcomes that can arise from such collaborative programs between international organizations and academic institutions.

Event attendees listening attentively

About the IDB

As a multilateral development bank, the IDB aims to support the sustainable and inclusive development of Latin America and the Caribbean, which includes tackling critical issues like poverty and climate change through support for sovereigns. The IDB Group consists of three entities: IDB, IDB Invest and IDB Lab, forming a system that covers the full spectrum of development in the region. From fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at the IDB Lab, to implementing private sector projects at IDB Invest, and providing large-scale finance through the IDB, the Group works to drive regional growth and long-term impact.

Mr. Taro Seriu explaining the organizational structure and goals of the IDB

Mr. Taro Seriu, the IDB’s Office in Asia representative at the special seminar, opened the event with a description of the IDB as a reliable financial institution with an ‘AAA’ rating and shareholders from around the world, including Japan. Not only is Japan an important contributor to the IDB, with the Bank’s Asia Office located in Tokyo, but Waseda University has, specifically, a strong connection with the IDB. As Mr. Paul El-Meouchy, Talent Solution Lead and Human Resource at the IDB, mentioned as the event drew to a close, the IDB’s principles align with Waseda’s founding spirit: to contribute to humankind throughout the world. In addition to Japan’s significant financial support of the bank, the established university-sponsored internship program strengthens IDB’s ties with Waseda University and Japan, working together to positively impact the world.

About the Internships

As noted above, in addition to the multiple internship opportunities provided directly by the IDB, Waseda University pioneered the IDB’s university-sponsored internship program. This initiative has provided a crucial opportunity for students to hone hands-on skills as they work on a project to tackle real-world practical experiences. This has also given the chance for Waseda students to showcase their potential on the world stage. As proven, the opportunity has led to employment at the IDB for some former interns and, at the very least, gives them the chance to pursue a long-term commitment toward developmental growth.

Mr. Paul El-Meouchy introducing the various internship opportunities 

As opposed to the internship directly organised by the IDB where students are assigned projects to work on, Waseda university-sponsored internships allow students to propose and work on a project of their own choice. Both internships guarantee hands-on, practical skills and a completed project by the end of the program’s period. Additionally, for the IDB sponsored programs, there are multiple roles to apply for, including both corporate and operational positions, which are all crucial components for executing specialised projects. This provides a broad choice of roles for students to choose from, reflecting roles in the real world.

Event Impact

Answering questions from the audience

After the speech, the lively Q&A session elicited useful information for both graduate and undergraduate students alike, including clarification on the eligibility requirements and language level needed. Both university-sponsored and IDB’s own internships require applicants who have completed over half of their bachelor’s or master’s courses to apply. Furthermore, their nationalities should be one of the IDB’s member countries. In the case of the Waseda university-sponsored internship program, applicants must have Japanese citizenship. This raised some questions from attendees about whether those not eligible for this internship due to their nationality could apply for an IDB internship at all. In this case, Mr. El-Meouchy encouraged them to consider IDB Invest, which is exempt from the nationality requirement. Some seminar participants also raised the question of whether their English language level would affect the selection process to which Mr. El-Meouchy informed them that as long as their language is sufficient to communicate, the level of proficiency is not an issue.

As a first-year international student, this seminar has impacted me in a way I did not expect. Even though my nationality is not part of the IDB’s member countries and I do not have Japanese citizenship meaning that I cannot enroll in the specific Waseda university-sponsored internship program, it drove me to seek other internship opportunities that incorporate practical skills, which could be transferable to my future career. Furthermore, attending the seminar was helpful since it provided an insight into the general process of applying to and going on an internship, and what I should prepare to achieve my future goals. For instance, I could plan extra-curricular activities or research projects to target particular skills international organisations are looking for or other fields of interest. It is useful to start exploring interests early since it will refine my interest in the field I am aiming to work for in the future.

Ultimately, this special seminar was useful for all students; it provides crucial information for internship-seeking students and prompts first-year students to think ahead, regarding internship opportunities.

This article was written by the following Student Contributor:

Napat (Nua) Worapishet

School of Political Science and Economics