TCD Students Selected for Internships on Washington Ireland Programme

Posted on: 24 May 2011

Three Trinity College students have been selected from more than 350 applicants to participate in the Washington Ireland Programme (WIP), a cross-community charity which offers young leaders from Ireland and Northern Ireland the opportunity to live and work in Washington DC while completing leadership training and public service projects.

Trinity students Angelina Cox, studying Law and Politics; Eugene Reavey, studying Law; and Siobhán Carroll, studying European Studies are preparing for an exciting summer working in Washington DC.  The prestigious two month internship will give each of the students an opportunity to understand and develop their leadership abilities through an intense leadership programme that includes: skills testing, the study of international leaders, and developing personal qualities such as public speaking and critical thinking.  During their time in Washington DC they will work at Capitol Hill and government agencies, entrepreneurial businesses and organisations in the non-profit sector.  At the end of the summer, the students will return to Ireland with enhanced professional and interpersonal skills, as well as a new confidence in their ability to work together to make a difference.

Speaking about the programme US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said: “Many of WIP’s four hundred alumni are now emerging as a new generation of leaders committed to peace, stability and prosperity in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.”  WIP’s Executive Director, Bryan Patten said: “This year’s class exemplifies the quality of our young people in Ireland and Northern Ireland. All are extremely accomplished, have a track record of community service and have demonstrated their capacity for leading in their communities.  Their experience on the Washington Ireland Programme will provide them with the opportunity to work with those who are leading on a global stage.  By building their skills, we believe we can help create a peaceful, stable and prosperous future for Northern Ireland and Ireland.”

All three students expressed their excitement at the prospect of working in Washington DC this summer and extended their gratitude to the programme and its sponsors for giving them this unique opportunity.  The teams’ progress can be followed at the programme’s website, www.wiprogram.org.