Wollongong student tests her skills on Capitol Hill

Jan 08, 2004

A University of Wollongong student has arrived in Washington, DC, to participate in the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program.

Kirstin Ferguson (pictured) is one of 12 students from five Australian universities taking part in the program. Other participating institutions are University of Melbourne, Macquarie University, University of Canberra and the University of Western Australia.

The program, founded and directed pro-bono by Eric K. Federing, a former senior congressional adviser, offers a unique opportunity for Australian university students to undertake an internship on Capitol Hill. Students are matched as interns in select offices, which for 2004 include five members of the US House of Representatives, two US House committees, two senate offices and one Joint Committee. The program has bipartisan support, the support of both the US and Australian government and a February reception in the US Capitol is being planned for the students.

The internships help the Australian students gain an increased understanding of US political and social culture. In turn, their US colleagues have the opportunity to learn about Australian politics and culture.

During the six-week Uni-Capitol program, Kirstin, who has just completed the third year of a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws with an Arts joint major in history and politics and an International Studies Minor, will be able to observe the US political system first-hand through the work of the US Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida.

Kirstin has already spent a semester at the University of Sheffield in the UK as part of the University of Wollongong International Exchange Program.

Eric Federing described Kirstin as an exceptional ambassador for Wollongong and the whole of Australia.

"She is smart, an excellent listener, asks insightful questions, and will find her congressional experiences invaluable. Kirstin epitomises my philosophy of matching good people with good people in good places as a means to better understanding between Americans and Australians. The University can be very proud of her," he said.

The Uni-Capitol internship program complements the other international opportunities via the International Exchange Program at the University of Wollongong. The University is keen for more students to include an international experience in their degree programs and will be seeking nominations for the 2005 Uni-Capitol program and other exchange opportunities early in the new academic year. Interested students should contact the Study Abroad office for more information.