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Letters from former Canadian
Parliamentary Internship
Program Participants
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, Kentucky
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, Kentucky
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, Ohio
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, Ohio
Dr. Baker, Thank you again for everything! Ottawa was a tremendous experience and I had a truly great time.
Cheers,
Jon Glick, Ohio
Cheers,
Jon Glick, Ohio
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, Kentucky
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, Kentucky
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, New York
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, New York
Copyright: Dr. James T. Baker
Last Updated: 08.2010
Last Updated: 08.2010
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
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
Dr. Baker:
I was thinking about you and my time in Canada recently, so I thought I would drop you a line to say hello. I completed my Master's degree in
Higher Education Administration and have been working at Miami University for nearly a year as an International Student Advisor.
I want to thank you again for all the hard work and dedication you put into the Canadian Parliamentary Internship program, it truly had a
profound impact on my life and helped guide me into my current career path as an international educator.
Ahhh...such sweet memories of the first day of the internship! Walking together as a group to receive the ID badges, seeing the first glimpse
of Parliament...it really was a magical moment.
Frank J. Merendino, Ohio
I was thinking about you and my time in Canada recently, so I thought I would drop you a line to say hello. I completed my Master's degree in
Higher Education Administration and have been working at Miami University for nearly a year as an International Student Advisor.
I want to thank you again for all the hard work and dedication you put into the Canadian Parliamentary Internship program, it truly had a
profound impact on my life and helped guide me into my current career path as an international educator.
Ahhh...such sweet memories of the first day of the internship! Walking together as a group to receive the ID badges, seeing the first glimpse
of Parliament...it really was a magical moment.
Frank J. Merendino, Ohio
Dr. Baker:
Thank you for everything.
I couldn't be happier with having been placed in Tony Martin's office. He has been incredible, and he is truly one of the
best human beings I have ever met. If I could stay, I would! His staff is great too.
Michael Davis, Ohio
Thank you for everything.
I couldn't be happier with having been placed in Tony Martin's office. He has been incredible, and he is truly one of the
best human beings I have ever met. If I could stay, I would! His staff is great too.
Michael Davis, Ohio
Hey, Dr. Baker!
I just wanted to thank you for forwarding that message to Hannah and me. It means a lot to me coming from Michael. He and
Dave are two people I'm already keeping in contact with and planning to visit.
This whole internship was inexplicably great. Thank you for making it all happen.
Jen Richmond, West Virginia
I just wanted to thank you for forwarding that message to Hannah and me. It means a lot to me coming from Michael. He and
Dave are two people I'm already keeping in contact with and planning to visit.
This whole internship was inexplicably great. Thank you for making it all happen.
Jen Richmond, West Virginia
Dr. Baker:
I don´t think I´ve thanked you enough for everything you´ve done for us, this Internship was the most amazing experience, I
learned so many things and had so many opportunities I never even dreamt of having, like meeting the Prime Minister and the
opposition leader, so many interesting events and committees, this was really a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope that
we are only the first of many Mexicans that have the honor of experiencing it.
Canada is an amazing country with the most beautiful cities, and living there for 5 weeks was incredible, getting to now the
culture and the diversity of its people made me admire the country and made me aspire to hopefully contribute in making
Mexico a bit similar in that way.
The interns in our program were extremely nice to us and hopefully we made some long lasting friendships, I met people that I
will remember for the rest of my life, really special students that have a lot of great ideas on how to make this world a better
place.
The people at my office where awfully nice and I learned so much from them, as a final assignment I got to write an article
about my experience as an intern in Mr. Goldring´s office which will be published in the local newspaper of Edmonton East (Mr.
Goldring´s riding), I also got to attend the Foreign Affairs committee which was very interesting for me since I´m majoring in
International Studies and I could really comprehend the role of Canada in the international arena. Writing back to constituents
which was one of my daily tasks made me learn so much from the actual concerns of Canadian citizens and the way the
government is dealing with them. I guess just being backstage from everything that Canadian politics represent made me learn
so much not only about Canada but about my country too, I hope that with this knowledge I can make a difference in my country
for the better.
Hopefully, this is not the last you hear from me, thank you for trusting us and giving us this amazing opportunity.
Marisol Ruiz, Mexico
I don´t think I´ve thanked you enough for everything you´ve done for us, this Internship was the most amazing experience, I
learned so many things and had so many opportunities I never even dreamt of having, like meeting the Prime Minister and the
opposition leader, so many interesting events and committees, this was really a once in a lifetime opportunity and I hope that
we are only the first of many Mexicans that have the honor of experiencing it.
Canada is an amazing country with the most beautiful cities, and living there for 5 weeks was incredible, getting to now the
culture and the diversity of its people made me admire the country and made me aspire to hopefully contribute in making
Mexico a bit similar in that way.
The interns in our program were extremely nice to us and hopefully we made some long lasting friendships, I met people that I
will remember for the rest of my life, really special students that have a lot of great ideas on how to make this world a better
place.
The people at my office where awfully nice and I learned so much from them, as a final assignment I got to write an article
about my experience as an intern in Mr. Goldring´s office which will be published in the local newspaper of Edmonton East (Mr.
Goldring´s riding), I also got to attend the Foreign Affairs committee which was very interesting for me since I´m majoring in
International Studies and I could really comprehend the role of Canada in the international arena. Writing back to constituents
which was one of my daily tasks made me learn so much from the actual concerns of Canadian citizens and the way the
government is dealing with them. I guess just being backstage from everything that Canadian politics represent made me learn
so much not only about Canada but about my country too, I hope that with this knowledge I can make a difference in my country
for the better.
Hopefully, this is not the last you hear from me, thank you for trusting us and giving us this amazing opportunity.
Marisol Ruiz, Mexico
Dr. Baker:
I would like to thank you for the program you organized while we were in Ottawa. The museums, the guided tours, and the trip to
Quebec City, as well as the meetings with various officials on Parliament Hill were a great supplement to the internship. I also want
to thank you for my placement in the House of Commons.
My work in the office of Peter Julian perfectly matched my interests and political affinities and gave me an opportunity to
demonstrate and practice my communication and writing skills in a way I would not have been able to do in other offices.
Dennis Mawhirter, Ohio
I would like to thank you for the program you organized while we were in Ottawa. The museums, the guided tours, and the trip to
Quebec City, as well as the meetings with various officials on Parliament Hill were a great supplement to the internship. I also want
to thank you for my placement in the House of Commons.
My work in the office of Peter Julian perfectly matched my interests and political affinities and gave me an opportunity to
demonstrate and practice my communication and writing skills in a way I would not have been able to do in other offices.
Dennis Mawhirter, Ohio
I appreciate everything you did with the program. I had an amazing experience and I have nothing but positive things to say about the
program--the only negative aspect is that I wished it lasted longer.
Grant Buckle, Kentucky
I would just like to thank you for the chance to have the amazing experience that was our time on Parliament Hill. I know I
speak for the vast majority of the interns when I say that it was one of the best times of my life - far exceeding any
incoming expectations I had and giving me some lifelong friends that I know I will keep in contact with for a long time.
Two weekends ago I actually went to Ohio State where I met up with some of the interns for the weekend. I also visited
Marisol and Priscilla in Cancun in July. Whenever we discuss our time in Canada, phrases such as "best time of my life"
and "unforgettable" always come up. I know my time in Canada has helped shape me into a more knowledgeable and
employable person, as well as given me memories for a lifetime.
Chris Moroz, Illinois
speak for the vast majority of the interns when I say that it was one of the best times of my life - far exceeding any
incoming expectations I had and giving me some lifelong friends that I know I will keep in contact with for a long time.
Two weekends ago I actually went to Ohio State where I met up with some of the interns for the weekend. I also visited
Marisol and Priscilla in Cancun in July. Whenever we discuss our time in Canada, phrases such as "best time of my life"
and "unforgettable" always come up. I know my time in Canada has helped shape me into a more knowledgeable and
employable person, as well as given me memories for a lifetime.
Chris Moroz, Illinois
Dr. B:
I could not be more grateful to have been placed with such wonderful, caring, and intelligent people. It is a group which is, at least at this point,
all women. I got to sit in on committee meetings as well as other important meetings with women's groups from across Canada in Irene's office. I
was also able to write articles for the newspaper concerning Irene's stance on important issues at hand. I created an equality report concerning
women's issues: the progress that has been made and what still needs to be done. This equality report is set to be sent out to everyone in Irene's
riding.
Other than that I was able to write around 70 constituency letters which went straight to Irene and then back to me where I sent them out
directly. Of these letters some were made into form letters which the office uses to answer email topics of which large volumes are received. As
far as events are concerned I was always made aware of the events happening on the hill and was able to go to any committee meeting or
question period whenever I pleased. My office was even nice enough to invite me to a baby shower for one of the women who was on maternity
leave from the office.
Allison Miller, Kentucky
I could not be more grateful to have been placed with such wonderful, caring, and intelligent people. It is a group which is, at least at this point,
all women. I got to sit in on committee meetings as well as other important meetings with women's groups from across Canada in Irene's office. I
was also able to write articles for the newspaper concerning Irene's stance on important issues at hand. I created an equality report concerning
women's issues: the progress that has been made and what still needs to be done. This equality report is set to be sent out to everyone in Irene's
riding.
Other than that I was able to write around 70 constituency letters which went straight to Irene and then back to me where I sent them out
directly. Of these letters some were made into form letters which the office uses to answer email topics of which large volumes are received. As
far as events are concerned I was always made aware of the events happening on the hill and was able to go to any committee meeting or
question period whenever I pleased. My office was even nice enough to invite me to a baby shower for one of the women who was on maternity
leave from the office.
Allison Miller, Kentucky