My internship at the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) has been an immensely enriching and transformative experience. Over the course of my time here, I had the opportunity to work closely with seasoned researchers and practitioners which significantly deepened my understanding of India’s maritime interests and domain.  One of the highlights of this internship was the intellectually engaging environment at the NMF, exemplified by the teaching capsules offered by the organisation, including those by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan (Retd) the Director-general, which is an endeavour towards lessening the ‘sea-blindness’ prevalent in our education curriculum.  Unlike other organisations, where interns are often viewed as temporary additions and thus, not provided with adequate guidance and meaningful work, the NMF stands out as a place where interns are treated as valued contributors whose ideas, efforts, and curiosity are genuinely encouraged and meaningfully integrated into ongoing work.  In this regard, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Ms Chitali Kohli and Ms Rashmi Yadav, who have consistently ensured the well-being of interns in every respect, serving as supportive supervisors and dependable guides within the organisation.  I was also mentored by Mr Suraj Palavalsa, who mentored me in the field of maritime history and culture and provided me with an opportunity to hone my research skills as well.  Overall, my experience at NMF has been thoroughly positive, and I left with a stronger sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to maritime studies.

A major inflection point in the journey was the project undertaken under the guidance of Captain Vikramaditya Sir. The mandate was intense, the expectations were real, and the learning curve was unapologetically steep. It pushed my research capabilities into execution mode and taught me how strategic maritime thinking actually works outside textbooks.

I also want to acknowledge the individuals who created an environment not just productive, but genuinely human. Chitali Ma’am and Rashmi Ma’am consistently enabled clarity, direction, and smooth workflows. And a special mention for Arijita Ma’am—her support went beyond task lists and deadlines. Her kindness, approachability, and steady encouragement created a safe space where learning, experimentation, and occasional failure were encouraged.

Overall, the internship wasn’t just exposure—it was acceleration. The experience sharpened my analytical lens, strengthened my domain grasp, and made me more confident about navigating complex maritime narratives. Grateful for the journey and the people who powered it.

My experience at the NMF was enriching in every way possible. As someone with little to no idea of how a think tank works, the Foundation provided a great opportunity to learn and practically apply those lessons over the tenure. Besides introducing me to the fundamentals of the maritime domain and holistic maritime security, the ‘intensive teaching capsule’ helped me navigate through my research afterwards. NMF’s focus on quality, clarity, accuracy and logic caught my eye. Hence, under my wise and helpful mentor’s guidance, I tried to implement and reflect the same qualities in my own deliverables. Besides researching, participation in various PELs, seminars, lectures and events allowed me to interact with distinguished personalities from the military, bureaucracy, and academia. I personally observed improvement in my conduct, discipline, presentation and professionalism during the course of the internship. Besides helping me utilise my strengths, experience at the foundation helped me identify and work on my weaknesses. Observing and contributing to its administrative and day-to-day operations in an intern’s capacity helped me develop a sense of responsibility. Interactions with the leadership, research faculty, administrative staff and cohort of interns gave me mentors and friends I will not forget. In all, my experience at the NMF helped me to build a strong foundation for my future as a researcher.

The internship was truly enriching, with an intensive teaching capsule covering everything from geopolitics and the blue economy to public international maritime law. Unlike many other internships, the one at NMF genuinely exposes you to research and its fundamentals, making it an excellent starting point for anyone interested in this domain. It serves as a much-needed crash course on maritime issues and key concepts.

My experience at the National Maritime Foundation was deeply personal, shaped as much by the organisation as by the phase of life I was navigating. It turned out to be a period of enrichment and growth, both personally and professionally. A defining aspect of the internship was the teaching capsule led by the Director General. His rare ability to spark interest in any subject, however complex, made every session intellectually engaging and rewarding. His clarity, depth of experience, and instinctive talent for teaching were, in many ways, the Foundation’s distinctive strength. The Executive Director’s proactive leadership further elevated the programme. His hands-on approach, encouragement, and ability to connect ideas created an atmosphere that was both welcoming and motivating. The culture of mentorship and intellectual curiosity that permeates the NMF, especially at the senior echelons, continues to be an inspiration. The environment of structured thinking, interdisciplinary discussions, and commitment to quality research encouraged me not only to learn but to stay on as a researcher. I particularly valued the organisation’s openness to feedback and its genuine effort to act on it. As someone with an academic background in both law and international studies, this was a pivotal moment for me as I was introduced to Public International Maritime Law, an area I am now actively pursuing. Ultimately, I learned a great deal about the maritime domain, but more so about myself, and that remains the part I cherish most.

The internship has a great training capsule with a wide range of topics covered. It is an excellent primer for those interested in serious research in geopolitics and hard security. The exposure provided by the organisation is not limited to the knowledge of the maritime domain, but extends to the workings of various ministries, governments and navies. The participation in IPRD planning provides great insights into planning and other intricacies of events at such a scale.

My internship at the National Maritime Foundation was an experience filled with constant learning and growth. I joined NMF with a great deal of enthusiasm, but I was also aware that I knew very little about the deeper aspects of maritimity. Over time, however, I gained far more than I had expected. I not only learned about the maritime domain, but I also absorbed valuable lessons in work ethics, discipline, and clarity of thought – all of which helped shape my outlook on life and my career.

The internship truly served as the foundation and kick-start of my professional journey. The teaching capsules, in particular, were immensely enriching. Sessions with the DG, Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan, were especially memorable—full of insight, energy, and inspiration. His lessons were not only educational but also carried meaningful life messages that stayed with me.

Overall, my internship at NMF was transformative, and I remain grateful for the exposure, guidance, and confidence it has given me as I continue to grow in this field.

I had the opportunity to intern at the National Maritime Foundation from 7 August 2023 to 30 January 2024, an experience that significantly shaped my understanding of maritime affairs and sharpened my research skills. During this period, I was exposed to a wide spectrum of themes within the maritime domain, from regional security and geopolitics to India’s evolving maritime partnerships. Working under the guidance of senior researchers and mentors at the NMF was deeply enriching. Their feedback-oriented approach helped me develop stronger analytical and writing skills, while the organisation’s emphasis on academic rigour and policy relevance through their 3 month teaching capsule taught me how to frame research with clarity and purpose. I particularly valued the opportunity to contribute to ongoing projects and discussions that enhanced my appreciation of India’s maritime outlook and the broader strategic environment. The internship also familiarised me with professional research practices — literature reviews, data synthesis, and structured report writing — all of which have continued to benefit me in my academic and professional journey. The intellectually stimulating environment at the NMF, combined with the support of my batchmates and the Internship Coordinator, made the internship both fulfilling and enjoyable. My time at the NMF has been foundational in strengthening my interest in the maritime domain, and I remain grateful to the organisation for providing such a constructive platform for young researchers.

This was my first internship experience, during which I gained substantial exposure to maritime-focused research, administrative work, and the broader ecosystem of think tanks. It demonstrated that both capacity and capability for growth depend heavily on personal responsibility, including punctuality, proactively learning new skills, internalising knowledge, and applying it effectively to writing articles, conducting analyses, and pursuing professional development. This internship is an excellent opportunity for students who are beginning their journey in maritime research to learn how to write articles, present their work, and develop the habits and skills required to become competent scholars and researchers in this field.

The NMF internship programme is robust and, honestly, is not for the faint-hearted. It requires you to keep up with experts and researchers who are considerably more experienced than most people in the maritime policy space. The highlights of the programme are the diverse range of subjects covered in extreme detail in a very short period of time; therefore, your interest is piqued from the get-go; the networking interactions are also extremely useful due to the exposure to delegations. diplomats, maritime practitioners and researchers. For the entirety of the six months to be useful to the intern as well as the organisation, you have to give it your best and the most because these are truly uncharted waters.

I was an intern with the Springtern batch of 2022.  My internship proved formative in every sense, shaping my understanding of professional conduct and the standards expected for work output.  Equally significant was the exposure to maritime affairs, which meaningfully addressed a long-standing gap in my education— one that neither my years of formal schooling nor subsequent academic training had adequately covered.  As a researcher, I strengthened my general awareness while refining my written expression and presentation skills.  It is an internship of immense value for any serious researcher seeking to step directly into the heart of the maritime domain.

My internship experience at the NMF was an extremely enriching one. I was exposed to many new perspectives and ideas on multiple areas of the maritime domain. In addition to learning from the academically rigorous presentations and lectures given by the experts at NMF, I also got the chance to attend many seminars with speakers from all across the world. This internship is a wonderful opportunity for anybody who wants to learn about maritime affairs and is keen to know more about the workings of a think tank.

I was completely oblivious of issues concerning maritime domain before joining NMF. But the whole comprehensive learning program that has been undertaken here covering every topic in totality, giving clear picture of the concept was really promising. I was not expecting a think tank taking so much pain for their interns, but the reality here at NMF was completely different from what is prevalent in Indian think tank circles. It provided us with a lot fodder for thought, the lectures kicked us into our head to come out of the comfort zone and think. And trust me, in past 5 semesters at my college, I’ve not even taken leave for more than 2 days in a stretch that too very rarely. But I’ve not taken a single class since 28th December due to the common timings of NMF sessions. And all that compromises were completely worthy of making. The quality lecture I’ve received here had no parallels. Though I couldn’t interact much during the course due to network constraints but I’ve tried my best to stay consistent without taking a single leave throughout this six- week journey. This internship was clearly worth all the hype I acquainted earlier. Unfortunately, due to academic constraints, I couldn’t continue my internship this time but will definitely try to join NMF again at some point of time in future. I am extremely grateful to NMF for giving these high quality sessions just at a cost of consistent commitment from us.

My academic experience so far mostly concerned Geopolitics, European Union (EU) and France in International affairs. Internship at the NMF broadened my horizons and exposed me to a variety of topics and issues in the maritime affairs. Apart from maritime security, I could learn about UNCLOS and other legal aspects of the maritime domain which was a new area for me. The regular lectures given by the Director-General of NMF enhanced my understanding of the maritime domain. Attending various seminars by experts and scholars offered great insights and helped me to gain knowledge on varied topics and their interlinkages in the maritime domain. Apart from this, internship at the NMF has helped me develop my skill-set including time management, professionalism and work ethics. I am grateful to the NMF in helping me groom myself both professionally and personally. As promised on their website, it was truly the most meaningful internship-experience of my life. Thank you, NMF!

I had a very enriching experience at NMF. The internship programme was structured with delivery of quality content. The lecture series gave me exposure to wide range of topics ranging from trade & investment, blue economy, climate change, role of navy, and initiatives of government of India. We also received brief training on key concepts and terms which are often used interchangeably. For example, the difference among the following terms geo-politics, geo-economics, geo-strategy. I thought there is not much difference, however, we were explained every term so patiently that now difference is crystal clear. I found people at NMF very passionate about fostering maritime awareness and they encourage interns to ask questions, research, to develop-as DG sir calls it ‘effervescence’. I had a very productive six weeks with NMF. I am certain that lessons learnt will surely help me in my academic career and professional pursuits ahead. Thank you NMF for setting up the internship programme, and grooming us academically & professionally.

Interning at the NMF was probably the greatest, most welcoming internship experience a person could have. I have learned so much, both from the faculty’s incredible knowledge and experience and by their encouragement for interns to learn by doing. Any criticism I have would only be directed towards to unavoidable online nature of the internship.

My experience interning at the National Maritime Foundation was nothing short of enriching. Throughout the six-week journey, we were provided with holistic knowledge regarding the maritime sector by means of presentations and seminars that we attended. The speakers were individuals with a great deal of knowledge and experience and it was truly a lovely experience learning from them. For the research component of our internship, the mentors assigned to us were extremely helpful and cordial and they helped us carry out in-depth research in the maritime sectors of our choice. Their research-oriented background and guidance helped us learn the various issues revolving around the maritime sector in a more credible way. I would like to thank the National Maritime Foundation for providing me with this opportunity, and giving me access to the widespread ocean of knowledge that members of the Foundation possess and propagate.

My internship at the National Maritime Foundation was a fresh and enriching experience. During my time here, I not only learnt about maritime affairs through seminars and presentations, but also got the chance to enhance my creativity and develop my research skills through writing on my areas of interests. Finally, having developed value additions to my skill set, I am grateful to have had the chance to intern at this fine institution.

The internship at the National Maritime Foundation was simply astounding for me. Being a student of Defence Studies, it was very important for me to know various aspects of national security, and the maritime domain is one of them. The lecture series by DG and other elites of NMF gave a strong foundation in understanding the importance of maritime domain. Engagement with NMF faculty broadened my perspective on maritime affairs. The engagement has also enriched my analytical and research writing skills. I cannot forget the professionalism of the members of the institution. This is certainly going to make an impact in my upcoming research write-ups. I am glad to be the part of NMF where I have got an ocean of knowledge.

As a student first time interning National Maritime Foundation has taught professionalism, hard work and has helped me understand and gain new perspectives of learning. The overall experience at NMF has been heartwarming and smooth. It has helped me drift into the direction I wished for my future and helped me gain clarity on numerous issues across the globe and even personally. I am grateful to everyone at NMF for providing me this opportunity and pushing me hard to work my full potential. I wish everyone at NMF and my co-interns all the very best for their future.

I have a long fifteen years relationship with the Navy. I heard about the NMF with one of its founding member during my service tenure. After joining my Ph.D, Maritime diplomacy was my first choice for research. Joining the NMF as a research intern, gave me the required fillip for conducting good research. Whatever knowledge and research gaps we gain here is far beyond the scope of available literature on this particular domain. The scope of the internship programme touched upon almost all the areas associated with the maritime domain. This programme was much ahead of the class room type teaching and prompted me to think out of the window to write good articles on this subject. I can confidently says that this internship programme met all my expectation to the highest level. The vision and goals of the NMF is the national interest and I feel blessed to be part of this very energetic and true research oriented organisation. Jai Hind.

My internship with NMF has been very enlightening and enriching. Even though I had maritime security as an elective while pursuing my bachelors in global affairs, it was just a basic overview. But, at NMF, I was introduced to the diverse aspects and convolution of Maritime domain including off shore infrastructure, maritime resources, UNCLOS, climate change, Blue economy etc. NMF had an extensive variety of areas that I could choose to work in under the guidance of a mentor. The regular online sessions have assisted me to accentuate my understanding of the maritime domain. I am sure that my internship with the NMF would stimulate me to pursue my intended research career with exuberance. Thank You NMF.

My six-week journey with the NMF was a great learning experience. I gained and understood the value of conceptual clarity of the many aspects of the maritime domain and at times was appraised of concepts that I had been completely oblivious of. Another immensely important thing that I learnt at NMF was from the DG who pointed out the crucial nature of knowing the why of anything that you are engaged in. This to me has become a silver bullet because not only it keeps you focused it also helps you understand the purpose of the endeavour you have undertaken otherwise again as the DG say’s it would be like “chasing a chimera” which I find relevant at so many levels. Learning from the NMF was also a fun experience courtesy of the humour of the faculty and the personal anecdotes they shared along the way. At NMF we were actually encouraged to ask questions no matter how silly they sounded, which is a luxury these days! My journey at NMF although ended in six very fast weeks but I feel the lessons I learned here will help guide me through my life ahead in my academic and professional pursuits, especially the pro-tips shared by Oliver who was always just a text away. A big heartfelt thank you to the team at NMF.

The internship at the National Maritime Foundation has been one of my best experiences so far.  It helped me mould and broaden my perspective on areas of International Relations and Maritime domain.  The lectures and presentation given by the DG of NMF built my foundation in understanding the importance of maritime thinking.  It is a privilege to be a part of the foundation which gave me a platform to participate in the International forums while also giving the opportunity to share my views with the domain experts.  Working with the NMF Faculty enriched me both by bringing the best possible output and triggering constructive thought process through discussions and brainstorming. I’m glad to be a part of the foundation because it respects each and every individual’s views and also adopts it if found worthy enough.  

My internship at the National Maritime Foundation provided me a platform to learn about the maritime domain. Being an intern, I attended the virtual orientation classes by the Director General NMF that provided knowledge of diverse areas within the oceanic space. By participating in various national and international conferences, I was exposed to international relations and foreign policy intelligentsia. Interacting and working with NMF faculty members have also broadened my perspective on maritime affairs. This internship has greatly increased my ability to research, hone my communication and presentation skills as well as taught me how to think maritime.

My internship at the National Maritime Foundation was dense, demanding and very enriching. In addition to gaining an in-depth understanding of the Indian maritime domain, I was able to observe and take part in the life of a dynamic think tank and issues related to it.  A privileged access to all members of the faculty, both civilian and military, was also a real asset. Finally, I retain from this experience the importance of concepts, of geography, of a maritime and Indian approach, and of the primordiality of asking questions and engaging in rigorous reflection.This has certainly reshaped my vision and my « feeling » of research.

My internship with NMF has been an enriching experience in developing my knowledge on the vision of India’s maritime strategies. NMF had a vast variety of areas I could choose to work in and what really made my experience noteworthy was the encouragement and support I received from the supervisor and my peers in choosing my niche. The work at NMF is perfectly balanced and pushes you to do the allocated work effectively. Overall, It was a great learning experience. The plus point was you could take work from anyone if you were idle. Hence, I could grasp experience in diverse fields such as International Maritime Law ,India’s Arctic policy etc.

I had a great experience at the NMF while interning. I learnt many things here. The most unique part of the organisation was that I never felt I was an “outsider”, always felt that I am also part of the organisation team for whatever time I was in here. I always felt “inclusive” in the day-to-day activities which the organisation personnel did. They urged and encouraged me to do work properly and even motivated me for every work that I did for them. The lectures given by Director General of the organisation on maritime domain were extremely interesting and knowledgeable.

My internship experience with NMF was enriching and exciting and I got a real feel of how a ‘think-tank’ works. Even though I have learnt about Maritime Security as a part of my course on Global Affairs, at NMF, I got an idea of various facets and complexities of Maritime affairs including India’s Maritime domain, International Maritime Law, Indian Navy, IOR, Climate change and Energy politics to name only a few. I found a very friendly and open atmosphere with opportunities to interact and engage with research scholars which made my days at NMF very interesting. Alas, the good days were cut short by the ruthless lockdown on account of Covid-19. However, sitting at my home, I became a virtual member of NMF again thanks to the daily online presentations and lecture series which deepened my knowledge and honed my research skill-sets which I am sure would stand me in good stead in my future research career. Thank you NMF.

The National Maritime Foundation helped me learn and unlearn all that I knew about the maritime domain and geopolitics. During my time here, I was able to refine my basic skills involving research and writing. I had the opportunity to listen to many high profile speakers and engage with experts in the field. The seminars, presentations and workshops taught me that nothing in the maritime domain existed in silos. Every area of study involved the intersection of verticals and horizontals of various subjects. It truly gave me meaningful insight into the inner workings of a think tank. I’m glad to have had the privilege of working in the premier institution in India that engages in the maritime field.

My internship experience at the National Maritime Foundation was truly amazing. The amount of knowledge that we gained through the lectures and interactions with international scholars and our fellow researchers has expanded my horizon. It changed my way of looking at geopolitics. Further, the ambience of the work place made me feel comfortable, and was conducive to my overall learning experience. My internship experience with the NMF has served to enhance my skills and has been a memorable one.

My internship at the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) was my first internship. I had been expecting a very strict hierarchical structure within the organisation but to my surprise it was very flat, and interns could freely interact with researchers and Navy personnel. The other aspect which stood out was the meticulous manner in which the internship programme had been put together with extreme importance given to an intern’s individual needs. The NMF strives to become the India’s premier think-tank in maritime affairs and I believe that it has the means, methods and the scholarship to do so.

Attending various events and interacting with the officers who have faced the practicality of maritime domain gave me valuable work experience and knowledge. The NMF considers interns as members of their core team and working with them made me realise the importance of soft skills like professionalism, teamwork, time management and work ethics. At the NMF I learnt about UNCLOS, India’s relation with other countries, Piracy, BIMSTEC and geopolitics of the Indian Ocean Region. My academic interests were also well taken care of. They provided me with professional guidance at every step and were very welcoming to new ideas. I consider myself fortunate that I got to work with such bright minds who are dedicated towards maritime domain.

Internship at the NMF helped in my understanding of the maritime domain, India’s Maritime domain in particular. Unlike other think tanks, NMF allowed me to research extensively on maritime issues of my interest and guided me with its expertise at every level of my research. Regular presentations and interactions with foreign delegates and naval officers, helped me to learn and acknowledge pressing maritime issues. It was a place that groomed my professional outlook, research and critical thinking capabilities.