Washington Here I Come
Taking time out before a Washington internship, Whitecross student Sarah Reavey talks to the Newry Reporter's Aoife McKeever about heading off to Capitol Hill, the rebuilding of New Orleans and finishing off those law exams.
Jetting off to rub shoulders with the elite members of the American political hierarchy has been the least of Sarah Reavey's worries lately. The 20-year-old is a law student at Trinity University, Dublin, and when I caught up with her she had just finished her final second year exam.
"It was constitutional law, it wasn't too bad," Sarah explained. "But land law on Monday was a complete nightmare." As a law graduate I can totally sympathise. With the exams over Sarah can now relax, celebrate with friends and finally prepare herself for heading off to the hub of American democracy on June 9.
"I'm finally able to get nervous and excited," Sarah said. "With the exams I had to totally focus but now with those out of the way I can really look forward to heading off."
Sarah Reavey is one of 30 Irish students taking part in this year's Washington-Irish programme. It an initiative designed to give Irish students an insight into America during their two-month internship whilst also promoting cross-border relations. The programme, which is now in its thirteenth year, brings thirty students to Washington each year in order to experience internships ranging from the Library of Congress to the World Bank. Sarah Reavey from the South Armagh village of Whitecross is a past pupil of St Brigid's PS, Drumilly, and Our Lady's Grammar School in Newry. The Trinity law student applied for a place on the Washington-Ireland Programme and has secured a two-month internship with Senator Mary L. Landrieu, who represents Louisiana.
"One of her main policies is securing more funding for the redevelopment of New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina," Sarah explained. "I will be working closely with her and in Capitol Hill and I will be in and out of the Senate so I am really looking forward to it." The plight of New Orleans residents is something close to all the interns' hearts and Sarah explained the group would also get a chance to visit the city during their time in America.
"The internship usually lasts eight weeks and in previous years the group spends a week back in Ireland working together on a public service project," Sarah said. "This year for the first time we will spend our week in New Orleans doing some good work there so it is something I am really looking forward to. I have met all the 30 interns in an orientation weekend in Queen's in mid-April so we've all been introduced. One of the girls is doing her internship with Senator Clinton so there will be a certain amount of celebrity-spotting going on."
Sarah believes seeing democracy at work in the US Senate will be interesting and has a particular resonance with her now devolved government is once again up and running in Northern Ireland. "I really can't wait," Sarah said. "I am very interested in politics and especially seeing how American democracy works. America is a country that prides itself on being a centre of democracy so it will be interesting to see that now the Assembly is only up and running."
If anyone would like to contribute to the group's project in New Orleans contact Sarah on sarahreavey@hotmail.com
Reprinted from the Newry Reporter 20th June 2007
