DCU students head for Washington
Tuesday 26 April 2005

Roisin Doherty and Richard Hoban

Two DCU students, Roisin Doherty and Richard Hoban, have been chosen to travel to Washington as part of the Washington-Ireland Programme. The programme provides training in leadership and public service skills, as well as an exciting and challenging internship in Washington DC, where placements range from PR agencies, governmental departments to non-governmental organisations.

As part of the programme, students are also required to complete 50 hours of public service on their return to their home community which gives them the opportunity to develop their leadership skills in two contrasting environments.

Roisin Doherty is a final year Accounting and Finance student. She is 20 years old and is from Inishowen, Co Donegal. As part of her public service she will be involved with her local community playgroup in Inishowen. She intends to use the leadership skills she gains in Washington DC to organise cross-border activities with children in a similar playgroup in Co Derry on her return to Ireland. "I am so excited about spending the summer in Washington DC. I met the other members of this year's team recently at the orientation weekend in Belfast, and feel that I have made friends for life already! I feel honoured to have been given this opportunity of a lifetime."

Richard Hoban is a second year Science Education student. He is 21 years old and hails from Kilfian in North-West Mayo. During his period of public service with Fianna Fail, he will be actively involved in launching a new individual membership recruitment drive for the party. He will also be involved in researching policy issues and writing press releases and articles for Fianna Fáil's new newspaper which is to be launched next month. During the programme, Richard hopes to enhance his knowledge of public service, the world of politics and more importantly be better equipped to contribute to his own community via service and leadership. "Being selected for this programme has made me feel very humble and I sincerely look forward to embracing the challenges and opportunities that this very unique experience will offer. Having met with the other fortunate team members, we all agree that it certainly is a Capitol Chance!"

The Washington-Ireland programme is promoted in DCU by the Educational Trust, the Careers Service and the Students' Union. In the past few years, Muireann Ní Dhuigneain, Head of DCU Careers Service, has hosted the programme in DCU and welcomed candidates from all over the country to the DCU campus for information and interview sessions.

"The Washington Ireland Programme is a wonderful opportunity for students to broaden their experience, deepen their understanding of cultural differences, and strengthen and develop their communication, interpersonal, leadership and citizenship skills in a structured environment. This challenging experience will continue when the formal summer programme is over through a variety of activities offered by the very active WIP Alumni Network which DCU students can access", she said.

Mr. Patrick Mc Dermott, the CEO of DCU's Educational Trust, is a WIP board member and recently arranged for Roisin and Richard to have lunch with the US Ambassador to Ireland, Mr James C Kenny, on a visit to DCU to talk with students from the School of Law and Government.

For further details on the Washington Programme, visit: http://www.wiprogram.org/