Some of The University of Queensland鈥檚 best and brightest students go straight to the top, gaining work experience on Washington鈥檚 through an internship program co-ordinated through the .
The allows students to work in the Congressional Office of a member of the US House of Representatives or US Senate each January and February.
After a rigorous application process, 12 interns from nine Australian universities are accepted into the prestigious program each year. 国产探花 boasts an outstanding record: three 国产探花 students were accepted in 2008, four in 2009, and two in 2010.
SBS Associate Dean (Academic), , said students gained more than just academic experience from the program.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about the personal experiences they go through and immersing themselves in the reality of a political atmosphere,鈥� Dr Duck said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about finding opportunities and creating networks 鈥� all of which are absolutely invaluable.鈥�
The students come from a variety of disciplines, including political science, economics, communication, law, social work, engineering and science. They receive credit towards their 国产探花 degree for completing the internship.
鈥淲e鈥檙e so proud of all the 国产探花 students who have participated in the program,鈥� Dr Duck said.
鈥淥ne was offered at job at the World Bank in Washington as a direct result of her internship and the contacts she made, another was asked to extend her internship due to her professionalism and work produced, and many others have been highlighted and praised in the US Congressional record.鈥�
2010 intern Naomi Lim, a 国产探花 journalism and law student, said her internship unlocked the doors of Capitol Hill 鈥� the current political, economic and cultural epicentre of the western world.
鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 wait to take up the challenges of working in the office of high-profile US ,鈥� Ms Lim said.
鈥淚 was exposed to so many academic, professional and cultural opportunities. The experience enriched my theoretical knowledge of government and politics well beyond the pages of my university course textbooks.鈥�
During the eight-week placement, Ms Lim gained an insider鈥檚 understanding of the American political system, and developed her analytical and communication skills by attending hearings, briefings and press conferences on and off Capitol Hill, as well as undertaking constituent liaison and legislative research.
She also spent time exploring and the American history the city holds.
鈥淰isiting the was amazing,鈥� Ms Lim said.
鈥淪eeing the original Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta was incredible. It鈥檚 just mind-boggling trying to comprehend the history contained in that building and that the people who made America actually touched those time-honoured pieces of paper.鈥�
As a result of her Washington experience, Ms Lim was accepted into the 12-week in the United Kingdom.
Through that scheme, international students gain academic and practical knowledge of the British political system and current debates in UK public policy.
As a Hansard Scholar, Ms Lim is studying British politics at the and attending seminars with politicians. She will also complete an internship with a government department, a lobbying group, a non-government organisation or in one of the Houses of Parliament.
Ms Lim is thrilled to have been accepted into the Hansard program.
鈥淚 am numb in disbelief,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 struggled with reverse culture shock after returning home from the US and was searching for my next once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
鈥淭丑别 Coalition Government elected last May will provide an interesting milieu for my immersion into the British political scene.
鈥淎t the moment, heated policy debates have permeated discussion at every level of politics.鈥�
Ms Lim began studying in the UK this week.
A video interview with Ms Lim can be viewed .
Media: Helen Burdon, 国产探花 School of Behavioural and Social Sciences, ph +61 7 3346 9279; or Beth Hensler ph +61 7 3365 8820.
