St. John’s Northwestern Student Completes Prestigious Internship with Ecuador’s Ministry of National Defense
DELAFIELD, Wisconsin — St. John’s Northwestern is proud to recognize Cadet Juan Emilio Paulson for successfully completing a prestigious summer internship with Ecuador’s Ministry of National Defense, where he gained firsthand experience in government leadership, national security, and public service.
Selected for a 136 hour internship in Quito, Ecuador, Paulson worked within the Office of the Director of National Defense, providing administrative support while observing the day to day operations of one of the country’s highest defense organizations. Throughout the internship, he attended strategic meetings, learned about interagency collaboration, and gained valuable insight into leadership, decision making, and international cooperation.
The experience also provided opportunities to observe official government functions, military ceremonies, and meetings involving senior military and government leaders. During his time in Quito, Paulson represented St. John’s Northwestern with professionalism and integrity while expanding his understanding of leadership on a global scale.
“Learning at the Ministry of Defense of Ecuador was an honor and a huge challenge,” said Paulson. “Being in those high level meetings really opened my eyes to the real impact of leadership and teamwork. It definitely helped me grow and understand how important responsibility and discretion are in the real world.”
Paulson said his education at St. John’s Northwestern played a foundational role in preparing him for the opportunity.
“My time at St. John’s Northwestern was foundational for this opportunity,” he said. “The daily routine at the academy, the strict adherence to schedules, the respect for the chain of command, and the high standards of discipline, conditioned me perfectly for a high stake, professional government environment. SJN teaches you not just to follow instructions responsibly, but to adapt quickly to environments that demand excellence.”
“CDT Juan Paulson exemplifies the initiative, character, and leadership that define the SJN Corps of Cadets,” said Lt. Col. (Ret.) Ioannis “John” Kiriazis, Commandant of Corps of Cadets and JROTC Senior Army Instructor at St. John’s Northwestern. “Through his own determination and drive, he earned a remarkable internship with Ecuador’s Ministry of Defense, an opportunity that broadened his perspective and immersed him in leadership at the highest levels of organizational excellence. The lessons, confidence, and global perspective he has gained will remain with him for a lifetime.”
Paulson hopes other students will recognize the value of the discipline and leadership skills they develop at St. John’s Northwestern.
“My advice to any cadet looking to pursue an opportunity like this is to never underestimate the value of the discipline you are building every day at SJN. When you step into the professional world, people notice your punctuality, your respect, and your focus. Be proactive, seek out big challenges, and remember that the structure our academy gives us is a powerful tool that opens doors globally.”
Paulson’s internship reflects the caliber of opportunities St. John’s Northwestern students are prepared to pursue. By combining academic excellence, leadership development, and a safe, structured environment, the school equips students with the confidence, character, and discipline to succeed wherever their future aspirations lead.
As he continues his education at St. John’s Northwestern, Paulson plans to share his experience with classmates through presentations highlighting the leadership lessons, cultural perspectives, and professional growth he gained during his time in Ecuador.
About SJN
St. John’s Northwestern is a safe, structured environment that provides each student a foundation for life with specialized programs built with future aspirations in mind. SJN is a private coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school serving students in grades 7 through 12, as well as post graduate students. Applications are currently being accepted. Learn more at stjohnsnorthwestern.org.