Thanks to the Klemm Fellowship, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Ascentic, a software development company based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. During my time there, I contributed to both the AI and software teams. On the AI side, I was involved in programming and coding agentic AI workflows, which deepened my understanding of artificial intelligence in real-world applications. As a member of the software team, I attended meetings where I observed the practical implementation of agile methodology in the development of software, particularly within CI/CD pipelines.
My experience was also enriched by my efforts to learn Sinhala, one of Sri Lanka's official languages, which allowed me to connect more deeply with the local culture. Perhaps the most profound aspect of my time in Sri Lanka, however, was my engagement in community service. A recent cyclone had caused significant disruption in several areas of the country, and it was truly inspiring to witness the resilience of the local communities as they came together to support each other. I am grateful to have been part of this collective effort.
Acknowledgements: I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Klemm family and the Union College International Program Office for making this transformative experience possible.