Meet Our Spring 2025 Intern!

Meet Valleigh Brechtel, one of our International Programs interns this spring. A Political Science major at Westmont College, Valleigh brings a deep interest in international diplomacy and cross-cultural understanding to her role.

This internship stood out to her for its strong emphasis on international relations and the unique opportunity to engage with people from around the world.

“I’ve always been interested in pursuing a career that contributes to global peace and allows me to learn about different cultures and countries. […] Engaging with people outside the United States highly intrigues me, as it deepens my understanding of global issues and how international engagement can drive peace.”

During her time with Global Ties San Francisco, she is most looking forward to expanding her knowledge of international diplomacy and gaining a deeper understanding of how different international policies function.

Valleigh’s most memorable adventure to date was taking a half gap-year to Central America after graduating high school early, solo backpacking through Costa Rica, Panama, and Nicaragua. The journey challenged and shaped her in many ways — whether surfing big waves, enduring 11-hour bus rides, or staying in 16-bed shared hostels. Moreover, living with local host families gave her meaningful insights into other cultures, an experience that further fueled her passion for advancing international understanding.

In her spare time, Valleigh enjoys art, traveling, surfing, and cooking.

Welcome to the intern team, Valleigh!