Inside the U.S. Embassy in London with Sophia Combs

On any given day in the U.S. Embassy in London, Sophia Combs (BBA ’27) could spend her time drafting market reports for trade specialists, serving as a point of contact for Fortune 500 executives meeting with Ambassador Warren Stephens, or attending meetings with firms ranging from large tech companies to defense and infrastructure organizations. 

For Combs, a University of Notre Dame business student studying abroad in London during spring 2026, the experience of a part-time internship with the U.S. Commercial Service placed her in the middle of high-level conversations shaping global business and policy. Through her work, she supported efforts to advance U.S. economic interests abroad, all while balancing a full course load.

“This opportunity required a particularly dedicated student, especially given the responsibility of representing Notre Dame at one of the largest diplomatic missions in the world,” said Michael Tucker, Notre Dame London’s Internships and Immigration manager. “Sophia’s professionalism and commitment stood out and reflected what makes Notre Dame students so strong.”

Combs’ interest in the role stemmed from a long-standing interest in U.S. politics, further developed through her dual majors in strategic management and political science.

While the opportunity was promoted through the University’s London program in August 2025, the application process was largely independent because no Notre Dame student had previously been accepted into the program, and the University did not yet have a formal internship partnership with the Embassy, as it does with other organizations. After submitting materials and completing multiple rounds of interviews, she secured the role ahead of her semester abroad.

In her day-to-day work, Combs supported trade specialists by drafting market reports, coordinating scheduling requests, managing client systems and helping manage the demands of a fast-paced environment.

“I was usually given tasks to make the trade specialists’ schedules more manageable, which gave me the opportunity to get to know both the team and the companies they work with,” she said. “Working in the trade realm was something I had no knowledge about, so I was drawn to the idea of starting from scratch and growing from that discomfort.”

Beyond these responsibilities, her role also provided direct exposure to high-level meetings and international business discussions. When executives engaged with Ambassador Stephens and met with the Minister Counselor of Commercial Affairs, Combs welcomed and escorted guests and took meeting notes, allowing her to sit in on these conversations. 

Through these experiences, Combs gained firsthand insight into global business and diplomacy. She observed discussions ranging from Chick-fil-A’s potential expansion into the U.K. to large-scale nuclear energy projects and defense-related negotiations, offering a closer look at how strategic decisions are shaped.

Her work has also shaped her understanding of the United States’ position on the global stage. Through both direct feedback from diplomats and her own observations, she saw the influence and bargaining power of the U.S. in international markets.

Her experience unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tension and global uncertainty. From war in the Middle East to shifting trade dynamics, she saw how quickly the global landscape could evolve, often in real time.

“I witnessed diplomats being very intentional in how they framed the interests of the United States, especially as those interests were in an unprecedented flux,” she said. “I’d like to continue learning by sitting in rooms with people smarter than I am.”

Combs credited her experience at Notre Dame, particularly in the Mendoza College of Business’ Business Honors Program, with preparing her for the role through a strong work ethic and a willingness to step in where needed. At the same time, the experience helped her grow more confident and broaden her perspective through living and working in London, a global opportunity that Mendoza Dean Martijn Cremers would like more business students to take advantage of.

Looking ahead, Combs said the experience reinforced her interest in pursuing a career that blends international business with an advocacy role.

“Diplomats represent countries, and lawyers represent companies and individuals,” she said. She hopes to bring those two together in her future work, a goal her internship at the Embassy brought into clearer focus.