Forum Summer Internship Program Now Accepting Applications from Indian-American College Students

The Indian-American Forum for Political Education, (www.iafpe-ne.org) (IAFPE-NE) is now accepting applications for its 2004 Summer Internship Program. The Forum is seeking applications from motivated Indian-American college students who want to make a difference in their communities and is a stepping stone for developing future political thinkers of Indian origin. Since 1994, IAFPE has sponsored nearly 100 college students for its flagship Summer Political Internship Program. In its eleventh year, the program is stronger than ever.

The summer program provide students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the political process and what it takes to get involved in politics and policymaking. Interns spend six to ten weeks working in the offices of congressional leaders, state policymakers, non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and more. Interns will participate in summer policy sessions with other Forum interns and will design short or long term projects that connect the Forum with their organization. Stipends are available for interns who demonstrate exemplary performance in their internship and who demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of the Forum and its initiatives.

This past summer, selected interns worked in the offices of Governor Mitt Romney, Congressman Marty Meehan, Congressman Jim McGovern, Attorney General Reilly, State Senator Panagiotakos, State Senator Cheryl Jacques, Congressman Rush Holt (NJ), District Attorney Keating, and the Indian Consulate. Additionally, three summer interns worked with their respective political offices to assist in the design, launch, and implementation of the "No Place for Hate" program in Lowell, MA. The 2004 IAFPE interns will engage in similar co-curricular activities, and in particular, the Forum will seek to engage interns in Boston-area activities surrounding the 2004 presidential race.

2004 IAFPE Internship Coordinators, Aparna Upadhyay, Madhuri Ravi, and Pooja Shukla, note that involvement in political offices and organizations during the 2004 summer will be especially exciting for the interns given the high level of political activity that will ensue in Boston this summer. Additionally, the program will draw upon its growing alumni network to connect the summer interns with alumni mentors.

Applicants are encouraged to apply early for selective internship positions. Additional information and applications are available online at the Forum website: http://www.iafpe-ne.org/internship.asp. Applications are due by February 13, 2004.

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