The Final Week of Leadership Begins

The final week of the 2026 International Leadership & Business Internship officially began as interns from across the country arrived at Georgetown University, eager to begin a week of learning, collaboration, and global engagement. Over the coming days, participants will partner with entrepreneurs in Bauchi State, Nigeria, working together to develop marketing and infrastructure solutions that support the growth of real businesses while strengthening their own leadership and professional skills.

After settling into their residence halls, interns gathered for the program's opening session, where they were welcomed by Marshall Bailly, Executive Director of Leadership Initiatives. Marshall introduced the mission of the International Leadership and Business Program, outlined the week's schedule, and encouraged students to embrace every opportunity for growth, teamwork, and cultural exchange.

The welcome continued with introductions from Eli Seiden and Zac Clark, Directors of the International Leadership and Business Program, along with, Anisha Buxi, and Danielle Saborio, Assistant Directors of the Business Program. Together, they introduced the consulting experience, explained how interns would collaborate with their Nigerian business partners, and shared how the staff would support participants throughout the week.

Interns also heard from Umar Muhammad, Leadership Initiatives' Nigeria Country Director, who provided an introduction to the entrepreneurs they would soon be working with in Bauchi State. Umar discussed the unique opportunities and challenges of operating a business in Nigeria and highlighted how the interns' consulting recommendations can create meaningful, sustainable impact for local business owners.

To wrap up the day, interns explored Washington, D.C., visiting the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial with their consulting teams. The evening gave participants the chance to connect with one another, begin building strong team relationships, and experience some of the nation's capital before diving into their consulting projects.

By the end of the first day, excitement was already building for the week ahead. With new friendships forming and a shared commitment to making a difference, interns were ready to begin an unforgettable experience of leadership and global collaboration.