How a Hillel International Internship Changed My Life
When I arrived as a student at the University of Arizona, I was looking for ways to deepen my involvement in Jewish life. I came into college with a tight-knit Jewish community and an appreciation for the Jewish community I found at Hillel, but I was also curious about what happened behind the scenes. Who creates experiences like an exciting, welcoming FreshFest or a meaningful Shabbat? How do programs involving hundreds of Jewish students across multiple campuses come together? What does it actually look like to build Jewish community as a profession?
That curiosity is what led me to apply for Hillel International’s Student Engagement, Experiences and Leadership (SEEL) internship in the summer of 2025, and I was absolutely thrilled when I found out I had been selected.
After months of applications, interviews, and anticipation, I stepped into a world I had only seen from the outside. What I did not expect was how quickly it would begin to feel like home.
From my first introductory calls to learning how to navigate working with new colleagues in a remote environment, I was welcomed into a cohort of interns who shared my passion for Jewish life and community-building. We learned together, asked questions together, and discovered just how many people dedicate themselves every day to creating meaningful Jewish experiences for students around the world.
Throughout the summer, I had the opportunity to meet with Hillel professionals and senior leaders, including Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman. Those conversations opened my eyes to the many different paths within Jewish communal work, and helped me understand the tremendous care, creativity, and intentionality that go into supporting students.
For the first time, I was seeing the bigger picture.
I was also trusted with meaningful work. One of my proudest moments was moderating a student gathering on the conflict between Israel and Iran, where I helped facilitate a conversation for students across the Hillel movement about the complex geopolitical situation in the Middle East. Experiences like that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grew my confidence.
By the end of the summer, I had gained far more than professional experience. I found mentors, friendships, and a deeper understanding of the Jewish community that I hope to continue serving long after graduation.
Then came an amazing surprise. My supervisor, Michael Kagan, Hillel International’s director of Student Engagement and Experiences, asked if I would be interested in extending my internship into the academic year.
The answer was easy.
Michael was one of the most influential mentors in my internship experience. He challenged me, encouraged me, and consistently made me feel capable of taking on new opportunities. His support helped me grow as a professional and as an individual. I jumped at the opportunity to continue working with him and his team.
The extension opened the door to some of the most meaningful experiences of my internship, including helping plan the fourth annual Hillel International Content Creators Forum in New York City.
Bringing together 120 student creators to strengthen their digital storytelling skills and explore how they can respond to antisemitism online is no small task. In the months leading up to the forum, I learned so much from my colleagues on the SEEL team about event planning, collaboration, and what it takes to create a meaningful experience for students.
When the weekend finally arrived, I helped facilitate the culture track, which encouraged students to explore the purpose behind their content creation and the stories they wanted to tell. I also had the opportunity to interview Jewish creators Carly Weinstein and Jake Goldberg about their experiences on social media.
Looking back, the forum stands out as one of the defining moments of my internship, not because of a single session or project, but because of the people. The energy, creativity, and sense of purpose in those rooms was inspiring, as was building relationships with students who were passionate about sharing their Jewish stories.
Throughout the year, I gained a new appreciation for the work happening behind the scenes at Hillel International, but what surprised me most was how much my own voice mattered. Whether discussing a new initiative, brainstorming ideas, or weighing in on small details, I never felt like “just an intern.” My perspective as a student was valued, and I felt trusted as a contributor to the work.
Then, as my third year at the University of Arizona came to a close and I packed for my Birthright Israel trip, I was offered the opportunity to continue my internship into another summer. I didn’t hesitate in saying yes once more.
After all, what began as a search for one more way to get involved in Jewish life became one of the most meaningful experiences of my college career. This internship gave me practical skills, professional experience, and incredible mentors. More importantly, it showed me the impact that dedicated professionals can have on students’ lives.
I am deeply grateful for the people who invested in me, challenged me, and helped me grow. I cannot wait to continue learning, and I am excited to see where this journey leads next.
Courtney Saxe is a rising fourth-year student at the University of Arizona and a second-year Hillel International intern.