When you go to a small school, you don’t always think you have the same opportunities as someone who goes to a bigger school.
For Bliss White, this isn’t true anymore.
The third-year St. Thomas University student spent the summer interning in Washington, D.C. and studying U.S. foreign policy.
The International Trade and Regional Integration program, run by the Washington Centre, pairs students with businesses, government agencies and NGOs as an opportunity for civic engagement and learning.
Participating students receive academic credit at the end of the summer.
“It was a phenomenal experience, meeting like-minded students interested in international affairs [and] current events. I met quite a number of Canadians too,” said White.
White spent the summer living with his extended family in Virginia and commuting to D.C. every day.
The days were long: he would leave at 7 a.m. to catch a commuter train that took an hour to get into the city. Some days, he would be at work until 6 p.m., go to class and finally make it home at 11 p.m.
“It was hard, being away from friends and family here in New Brunswick,” White said.
“For three and a half months, you kind of just suck it up. You realize that it’s a really unique opportunity.”
White was in Washington in the midst of the U.S. debt crisis. The firm he was working for, Manchester Trade Ltd., was located blocks away from the White House and Jackson Square. White remembers seeing protesters and tourists on his way home from work.
“It was really interesting to hear how my bosses were reading the situation. It was just remarkable, all around remarkable.”
Part of White’s job was to represent the firm at think tanks and policy meetings. He was given the opportunity to attend lectures on global affairs and international relations, both subjects of interest to him.
White is honouring in history and hoping to major in political science. He plans to go on to graduate school for a masters in history and a law degree. One day he hopes to work in international law for an organization like NATO.
“That would be my dream job at this stage,” he said.
White started his career at STU in the Aquinas program, which he says has been one of his favourite courses to date.
He spends his spare time reading non-fiction, mainly history and political science, travelling Canada with his parents and sailing.
He also hopes to revive the STU Debating Society this year.
The cost for White’s “once-in-a-lifetime” experience as listed on the Washington Center website is comparable to a year’s tuition at STU.
But with bursaries and awards from the New Brunswick government, which sponsors students who wish to attend, he said it was affordable.
The program was advertised on posters around campus and there was an information session for interested students.
“I was apprehensive at first, this kid from a small school going into this world capital and not knowing really how to conduct myself or how I’d compare to other student interns.
“But I was pleasantly surprised. STU has prepared me well I guess.”
