In 1999, an educational and professional internship opportunity was designed and created in Washington DC, exclusively for Australian university students. Personalised experiences and attention in Americas capital have been hallmarks of this program. UCWIP allows students from 10 Australian universities to apply for 12 or more internship places annually to House and Senate offices within the US Congress.

UCWIP interns participate in 2 month full time internships each January/February. In office experiences will vary widely according to the needs of the congressional hosts. Administrative functions, constituent liaison and legislative research and support have been among the touchstones of past internships. Offices typically encourage interns to attend hearings, briefings and press conferences both on and off Capitol Hill. UCWIP has also organised briefings at the US State Department and Australian Embassy; roundtable discussions with National Journals senior congressional reporter; access to political dinners, evening events; a day trip to Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania; and a day trip to the origins of the American republic in Philadelphias Independence Hall, Congress Hall and the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia.

The Faculty of Arts and Design proudy announces a Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Scholarship of $5,000AUD to use towards the expenses during the internship term.

More information on the program can be found on the UCWIP 2013 guide (PDF 920kb).

You may also like to check out the official Congressional Record (Word 289kb) from February 8, 2011 regarding this unique opportunity for Australian university students.

Suitable applicants should complete the Application Form (PDF 473kb) and submit the documentations to Sora Park and email the softcopy to sora.park@canberra.edu.au. To find out more information about the UCWIP program and important application dates and deadlines, please contact the Sora Park.

For more information, view the slides (PDF) from the last information session.

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'When people ask what was the best thing about interning in US Congress, it's just about impossible to pick one thing. As soon as you enter DC, you can sense the sheer depth, passion and even the division of US politics that is spread out before you, waiting patiently to draw you in. And once you walk through the tunnels under the US Capitol, meet a member of Congress, or even meet your own Prime Minister, those things only reinforce how incredible - if not surreal - the experience is.

This internship allowed me to explore the complex layers of US politics - the political rhetoric that incites such passion amongst the citizens, the dedicated staff that ensure the development of legislation, and the individual characters that have taken the responsibility to represent what and who they believe in” .

Liz Noble, UCWIP participant 2011