Trinity Students Selected for Washington Ireland Programme

Four Trinity students have been selected from more than 525 applicants to participate in the 2013 Washington Ireland Programme (WIP). The internship programme is 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.

The successful Trinity students are Rosha Canavan, Law and Political Science; Jack Cantillion and Helena Kelly, Law;  and Owen Murphy, Psychology.

The prestigious two month internship gives each student the 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.

Over 19 years, more than 450 young adults from Ireland have graduated from WIP, representing twenty-five different universities throughout the UK and Ireland. Many graduates are now emerging in important careers in politics, law, business, communications, education and community organizations. As they move into critical leadership roles, they retain their connection with WIP and continue to give back to their local communities through an active alumni network.

The team’s progress during the summer months can be followed at the programme’s website www.wiprogram.org   

Student Profiles 

Rosha Canavan, Law and Political Science

Rosha is a qualified Speech and Drama teacher (ALCM TD) and a voluntary tutor. In the summer of 2012 Rosha interned with the Minister for Agriculture for Northern Ireland. She had the opportunity to accompany the Minister on a number of public engagements which fuelled her interest in cross-community relations and Northern Irish politics. In addition, she took part in the first International Berlin Model UN program which has added to her interest in international conflict resolution. 

 

Jack Cantillion, Law

Jack was named Trinity’s Individual of the Year in 2012 for his work in student societies including his roles as founder of the Horse Racing Society and Librarian of the Law Society. Jack brought the Horse Racing Society from inception to one of the largest societies in Trinity and it was named Trinity’s Best New Society in 2012. He is founder of the Spin 103.8 Race Day, Dublin’s largest student event. He has completed internships in the Environmental and Energy Cabinet of Kentucky, the Curragh Racecourse and Darley Japan in Hokkaido.  

Owen Murphy, Psychology

Owen is passionate about the development of mental health services in Ireland. He is involved in two new mental health initiatives: ‘ShoutOut’, an anti-homophobia workshop initiative, and ‘Home Away from Home’, a program which aims to tackle the isolation many first year University students feel having moved away from home for the first time. He also has a keen passion for drama, having directed four shows in DU Players & served on two committees of the Dublin Shakespeare Festival, and is a trained singer. 

Helena Kelly, Law 

Helena is an active member of Ógra Fianna Fáil and at present sits on the committees of both her college and local branches, having served as chair of the Trinity branch last year. She has also represented Fianna Fáil at the European Liberal Youth Forum, Brussels. Helena has debated at Model United Nations conferences in Ireland, the UK and The Netherlands. Helena is a keen tag rugby player and takes part in running events to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland. She has a passion for Irish history and acts as a tour guide in Dublin.