My name is Rana Soltani, an undergraduate student at the American University in Cairo, majoring in finance and minoring in mathematics and I am a recipient of the US Department of State Tomorrow’s Leaders Undergraduate scholarship.

During summer 2023, I fulfilled the position of the Investment Analytics Intern at Flat6Labs, the MENA region’s leading seed and early-stage venture capital firm, in the Tunis office, where I got to effectively apply the abilities I gained through academics and past experiences to real-world situations.

My journey as an undergraduate student at AUC and in the US has not only shaped my academic knowledge but also profoundly influenced my leadership style and understanding of life. Engaging in various leadership roles has been the cornerstone of this evolution. Whether leading student organizations like Revival as the outreach Project Manager and FEC as the Magazine Head, participating in community service initiatives with the CAWU Learning Center for Refugees in Egypt and the University of Pennsylvania Alternative Break in the US to taking on different internships and engaging in challenging research projects, each experience has contributed to my personal development as a well-rounded person and a leader.

Being part of the Tomorrow’s Leaders community at AUC entailed being part of a multicultural community of inspiring leaders coming from all backgrounds and who aspire to make a change in the world, which further inspired me and pushed me to grow in different areas. During spring 2023, I went on to study abroad in the US, a semester full of challenges and new experiences. Coming back to Tunisia, I was seeking to challenge myself even more to bring back the knowledge I gained into practice and explore areas in my home country and I was fortunate enough to have been selected as one of the TAEF Fellows for cohort 7.

As an Investment analytics intern at Flat6labs Tunis, I got to work among a diverse team of qualified individuals and collaborate towards common goals, honing my skills in finance and analytics. In addition, the internship was greatly insightful in terms of my career aspirations and skills development, as it allowed me to identify areas that I was particularly skilled in, informing my future path.

I also got to build a valuable network and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity I was given to immerse myself in a community of entrepreneurs and founders who are trying to find innovative solutions for different problems and leaving a positive impact in their communities. All in all, my internship was a transformative journey that did not only allow me to grow professionally but also personally on different levels and I would encourage any young professional to apply for the TAEF Fellows Program if they are seeking challenging opportunities.