Caleb Mimms, a junior political science and international studies major from Cabot, spent his summer vacation interning for the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C.

The Donaghey Scholar came across the opportunity after representing Iraq in the National Model Arab League Conference in Washington, D.C. during the spring 2022 semester.

“We got to visit the Iraqi embassy during our trip,” Mimms said. “The ambassador told us about the internship program. I applied, and the next thing I knew I was on a call interviewing with diplomats. I’m grateful for the Model Arab League Program because I would not have had this opportunity without them.”

Mimms spent his internship working in the Congressional Affairs department at the embassy, where he would conduct congressional research, help prepare diplomats for upcoming meetings, and write biographies and letters.

“I found the internship to be very interesting,” he said. “I got to take a deep dive into international relations and found out how important being a diplomat is.

This fall, Mimms is completing an international internship in Prague with Act for Others, a foundation that promotes, supports, and conducts charitable activities. Through Act for Others, he is working with Neratov, a charity that helps integrate people with disabilities into society through providing career, housing, and education assistance.

“Neratov does great work like that, and a part of my internship is helping them fundraise money for their activities,” he said. “As soon as I started to work with them, it opened my eyes. They are doing good work, and I wanted to be a part of it to make a difference. It’s rewarding work that really helps people.”

Mimms will return to Arkansas after completing his internship in December. After he graduates in 2024, he plans to earn a master’s degree in international relations and eventually wants to work as a foreign service office for the U.S. Department of State.

In the upper photo, Dr. Salwan Sinjaree, the U.S. ambassador to Iraq, presents UA Little Rock student Caleb Mimms with a certificate for his service as a summer intern for the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Washington, D.C.