2009 IAFPE Summer Political Internship Program
Since 1994, IAFPE has sponsored nearly 100 college students for its Summer Political Internship Program. In its twelve year, the program is stronger than ever. Our mission is to develop Indian American leaders for service in our communities, the United States of America and the world at large. Our goal is to create an engaged Indian American community aware of its rights and sensitive to its responsibilities
Program Objectives:
- Provide students with a unique opportunity to learn first-hand about the political process and what it takes to get involved
- Increase local college level membership and commitment to IAFPE
- Create and foster a growing network of current and former interns to increase involvement and support for IAFPE activities nationally
- Develop future political thinkers and leaders of Indian origin
- Engage young adults in IAFPE activities to strengthen its total community resource base and have them participate in running and energizing the organization
Program Description:
The interns will spend 6-10 weeks working in the office of a congressman or senator at the state or federal level, at a non-government agency, or for political parties. Past interns have worked at the Office of the Attorney General, White House, Congress, State House and Indian Embassy and in various governmental agencies such as the Department of Energy. A limited number of interns will be given a stipend. Stipends will be awarded to those interns who demonstrate exemplary performance in their internships. All interns will be assigned a mentor upon entering the program to guide their development.
2008 Interns:
Sireesha Kalapala, Vienna, WV, sophomore at Boston University, Majoring in Political Science and Philosophy
Ambika Melville, Northborough, MA, Senior at Algonquin Regional High School
Shuchi Mitra, Worcester, MA, freshman at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Majoring in International Studies and Mathematical Sciences
Anshul Parulkar, Northborough, MA, sophomore at Brown University, Majoring in Economics and Political Philosophy
Kabeer Parwani, Milton, MA, freshman at George Washington University, Majoring in International Affairs and Middle-Eastern Studies
Rohan Vahalia, Newton, MA, Junior at Newton North High School
Selection Criteria:
- Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2009.
- Applicants must become members of The IAFPE and be committed to the advancement of the goals and objectives of the organization by actively participating in The Forum.
- All candidates will be required to submit to a personal interview in addition to the written application.
- All internship recipients agree to volunteer and participate in subsequent Summer Internship Programs or to serve The Forum in a related volunteer capacity.
- Applicants must be current college students in good standing with their institutions.
- Applicant must be US Citizens or Permanent Residents of Indian origin.
- A limited number of stipends will be awarded to interns who demonstrate exemplary performance in their internships. Amount and number of Monetary Internship Awards will depend on the success of fundraising efforts (over the last ten years we have sponsored nearly 100 interns and many have typically received stipends in the range of $500 to $1000.00 for their internship). Payment of stipend will be contingent upon successful completion of internship and submission of an intern's report and based on appraisal of intern's performance by manager/supervisor.
- Past interns may re-apply. However, they will not be eligible for a Monetary Internship Award if they have previously received one.
- Applicants will be notified no later than May 1, 2009.
For details and downloading application, click here. Please mail the applications to:
menezes@bu.edu and anil@lokvani.com