Reporting from Capitol Hill
Journalism student Naomi Lim is one of 12 students selected to take part in the prestigious 2010 Uni-Capitol Internship Programme (UCWIP) in the USA.
Heading to Washington DC in December, Naomi will embark on an eight-week internship program where she will gain unique access to the US political system through an internship placement in a congressional office.
Naomi said for her the internship represented a key which could unlock the doors of Capitol Hill, the current political, economic and cultural epicentre of the western world.
“Interning with US Congress for eight weeks will expose me to so many academic, professional and cultural opportunities and will enrich my theoretical knowledge of government and politics with practical experience on an international stage. Washington D.C. is a place undergoing and instigating so much change around the United States and the world – I want to experience that change firsthand and learn what I can from it.
“ I particularly wanted to intern with Rep. Tierney because I was not only impressed by his record as a member of the House of Representatives for the Sixth Congressional District of Massachusetts, but also by the reputation of his office, in particular his press secretary. During my internship, I will be undertaking administrative and substantive duties including attending hearings, briefings and press conferences on and off Capitol Hill, as well as constituent liaison and legislative research.”
Eight Australian universities take part in the UCWIP. Since the program has been available at UQ, the SBS Faculty has overseen the recruitment and recommendation of potential candidates. Students are drawn from many academic disciplines to be matched with congressional offices and as well as providing support to interns undertaking the program each year, SBS also provides advice to students who are keen participate in the program.
The Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program started in 1999 with the aim of offering Australian students unique access to the US political system through internships in Washington DC. The success of program is credited to the commitment of the many individuals involved towards enhancing American-Australian relationships and the underlying principle of UCWIP Director, Mr Eric Federing, to “Match Good People with Good People in Good Places”.
More information can be found on the UCWIP website.
