Trinity Students Selected for Washington Ireland Programme 2015
Posted on: 07 May 2015
Three Trinity students have been selected from over 400 applicants to participate in the Washington Ireland Program (WIP) 2015. WIP is a cross-community and cross-border organisation that identifies promising young people with a commitment to service and a track record of leadership. During an eight- week internship, WIP will build their skills through work experience, educational opportunity, and hands-on citizenship both at home and in the US.
The successful Trinity students, Faris Bader, Rachel Lavin and Finn Murphy study differing and diverse disciplines of Mathematics, English and History, and Mechanical Engineering. After completing the Washington semester, the graduates will go on to become part of the active WIP alumni network who are working to make a positive difference in their communities.
Hillary Clinton is one of a number of influential supporters of the Washington Ireland Program and its students: “Many of WIP’s alumni are now emerging as a new generation of leaders committed to peace, stability and prosperity in both Northern Ireland and the Republic.”
Student Profiles
Faris Bader, Mathematics
Faris is a human rights educator and advocate. He has worked with the British Council, the Council of Europe and Médecins Sans Frontières. Over the past six years, he has organized workshops, managed training sessions and delivered speeches at various international events all over the world, most recently the World Human Rights Forum in Marrakech and the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg. Currently a Junior Sophister Mathematics student, Faris is also a Global Ambassador for Trinity.
Rachel Lavin, English Literature and History
Rachel is a final year English Literature and History student with a passion for writing. She is currently the editor of The University Times Magazine, which specializes in investigative features and in the past, has served as features editor, online magazine editor and as a resident blogger to The University Times. Rachel is also passionate about politics and social justice and is a Youth Representative to the New Children’s Hospital Alliance, a group advocating for the best possible site location of the New Children’s Hospital. She has spoken out about this in national media, drawing on her own experience as a childhood cancer patient in Crumlin Children’s Hospital. She hopes to pursue a career in journalism and has interned in the Roscommon Herald, Image Magazine, Newstalk Radio as well as having articles published in The Irish Independent and the Journal.ie.
Finn Murphy, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Finn is a student of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering and is currently the Entertainments Officer in Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union. In this capacity he has organized dozens of varying events for over 30,000 attendees and expanded the college’s Raising and Giving week to include both staff and students, helping to foster a stronger sense of community on campus. Last year he was the captain of the Trinity Snow Sports club and doubled its membership making it the largest club on campus while also increasing the size of the club’s annual trip making it the largest student international trip in Ireland. Finn and his family have been Guide Dog Puppy trainers for the last seven years. Finn has a keen interest in sailing, kite surfing and skiing.
