From Wollongong to Washington in the name of politics

Jan 07, 2005

While most University of Wollongong students are spending their summer holidays relaxing and enjoying time off from study, Kirstan Fulton has just arrived in Washington DC to work full-time in an office of the United States Congress.

Ms Fulton, a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws student, is one of 12 university students from across the country participating in the Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program, designed to give a unique insight into the workings of the US political system.

The program was founded (and is directed) by Eric Federing, Director, Business Public Policy, Government Affairs KPMG LLP, and will allow Kirstan to work as an intern for a period of eight weeks during which time she will be trained in the administrative functioning of the office and will participate in constituent liaison and legislative research and support for the office.

While this might seem a daunting task to some, it is an exciting challenge for Ms Fulton.

“I can't wait to start,” she said. “I think the Uni-Capitol program will be an amazing opportunity - I'll gain a practical element to my degree and have a much wider knowledge of Australian/US political relations.”

“I'll be working at the centre of one of the world's most powerful political systems and experiencing the realities of what is involved in the functioning of the US political process.”

Ms Fulton has been placed to work as an intern in the office of Representative Sam Farr (Democrat) of California, who is a congressman particularly committed to the issues of trade and the welfare of the environment.

In order to be selected for the program, Ms Fulton had to submit a one-page statement on each of the four representatives with whom she wished to be considered to work. She was then interviewed by a panel and progressed to the final stage where her application was submitted to Eric Federing, who selected students to be matched with particular offices, based on the suitability of their application.

Ms Fulton said she hopes to enhance her understanding of the functional nature of politics and gain a greater appreciation of the different dynamics of a political system.

But it won't all be work and study.

“I'll be living with the other interns in Washington and also hope to do some serious travelling throughout the US,” she said.

And her goal?

“I want to use this experience to fulfil my dream of undertaking honours in politics and eventually working in the political arena as an adviser or analyst.”

-RP