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Freeman Fellowship Recipient

The Reppy Institute offers the Harrop and Ruth Freeman Fellowships to encourage Cornell undergraduates to pursue summer work related to peace studies and conflict resolution in an otherwise unpaid position with a not-for-profit organization. 

Molly Goldstein is a 2023-24 Freeman Fellowship recipient. She is a rising junior in the School of Arts & Sciences, double majoring in Government and Near Eastern Studies and minoring in dance. 

Internship Experience

Molly Goldstein headshot

Molly interned in Jerusalem this past summer for a human rights NGO fighting for peace in the Middle East. Through her studies, Molly has become passionate about the intersection of international relations, human rights, and conflict resolution, taking classes in areas that help her understand how countries cooperate to advance shared goals. She hopes to continue exploring foreign policy initiatives along with innovative ways to build bridges between countries across the globe. 

Coming from a modern-Orthodox Jewish background, Molly grew up learning about antisemitism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, understanding the complexities of culturally driven divisions. Through these experiences, Molly has become interested in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, exploring peace on every political level. In the past, Molly interned for the American Jewish Committee, working on peace formation through diplomacy and governmental cooperation. She went to Israel on a trip focused on the Israel-Palestinian conflict and spoke with people on the ground, understanding how people-to-people relationships strengthen and solidify legislative peace initiatives.

These interactions fueled her interest in working in Jerusalem this past summer for a human rights NGO fighting for peace in the Middle East. Through the internship, Molly researched foreign policy initiatives between Israel and its Middle Eastern neighbors, which inspired her to research potential areas of cooperation expansion between Israel and other Muslim countries.

Looking Ahead 

Molly hopes to continue exploring Middle Eastern foreign policy through a U.S.-centered lens, either at the U.S. government or at a think tank. Molly plans to pursue potential career paths such as advocacy, NGO, government, or non-profit work in peacebuilding.