internletters

Letters from former Canadian
Parliamentary Internship
Program Participants

Dear Prospective Canadian Parliament Intern Students,

When I completed the Parliament Internship in the summer of 2002, I had no idea how much my experience would impact my
future career. I am now at my second job after undergraduate work, and both interviews for these jobs included an extensive
conversation concerning my Parliament Internship. No other part of my resume has impressed my prospective employers more
than my unique Ottawa experience.

What intrigues me most is how this internship is always the focus of conversation in these interviews, even though my resume
also includes a Europe study abroad program in Bregenz, Austria. In my current job, I work for numerous lobbying attorneys in
the Virginia legislature. In my first few weeks on the job, the same question kept reoccurring, “What was it like interning in the
Canadian Parliament?”

Though I am thankful for the edge that the internship has given me in the world of job searching, I am most thankful for the
memories I have from that summer. I made some incredible friends and learned more about
our northern neighbors than I could have ever discovered in a classroom. This is a once in a lifetime experience.
Sincerely,
Gena Boyle (2002)

I would like to thank you for the Parliamentary internship program. That has been the best experience of my
undergraduate career, providing me with knowledge and lifelong friends. Due to several road trips, all of the
interns from the Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana remained very close over the past year. I talk to Heather, Brian,
and Matt almost every day. I know that the internship has been very significant in their lives as well.
Amit Firoz

Dr. Baker, Thank you again for everything! Ottawa was a tremendous experience and I had a truly great time.

Cheers,
Jon Glick

Thanks for all you've done Dr. Baker! I have enjoyed my stay here in Ottawa so much! My office (John Maloney, Liberal Welland)
is spectacular; I have learned so much in five weeks. Your scheduled visits were enjoyable, and this was an awesome
experience.

With sincere appreciation,
Mindy McElfresh

Thanks for the great experience Dr. Baker. I read your book as well...it was an excellent piece ... funny, touching, inspiring.
Thanks for the note inside as well.

Thanks again for everything. I have loved every second of this. I will keep in touch from time to time to let you know what's up
and to find out how you are doing.

Cheers from Ottawa!
Jon Cardinal

Dr. Baker:

Now that summer break has been over for a couple of weeks and I've had a chance to settle down into the old college routine,
I've also begun to look back at my time in Ottawa this summer. It was definitely the most worthwhile experience I've had, not just
this summer break, but any break since the beginning of college.

It was a chance for me to see the world of parliamentary politics from within and experience first hand the kind of environment
that I might want to work in some day. I did not have a sudden revelation about my future career path, but I did gather a wealth of
knowledge that will help me make a much more informed decision when the time finally comes to leave my college years behind.
And it is my hope that I've made quite a few long term friends.

Thank you for the opportunity and the experience!
Mike Tudoreanu, St. Lawrence University, Summer of 2007

Dear Dr. Baker:
I just wanted to thank you again for putting together such a wonderful internship program. It changed my life and I will fondly remember my
experiences in Ottawa forever.

What an experience it was. So much so, that I have been making plans to participate in another internship abroad next summer, when I have
completed my Master's in Higher Education Administration at The University of Akron. South Africa is top on the list.

I wish you the best and take care.
Cheers, Frank Merendino 2007