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Millersville University student Sarah Stroman, of Schwenksville, Pa., participated in the United States-Canadian Parliamentary Internship program in the Ottawa office earlier this year.
“I thoroughly loved being in Canada,” said Stroman. “Everything was beautiful and rich with history and culture. It was wonderful to be welcomed by so many people who are willing to share their country’s heritage.”
Stroman is currently a senior at Millersville, pursuing a major in government and a minor in international relations. She found the internship through the help of her advisor, Dr. Charles Greenawalt. They researched government internships and came across one that was in Canada.
She worked for David Tilson, Member of Parliament for Dufferin-Caledon. Her five-week internship consisted of writing letters to constituents in the district, news articles, press releases about government activities as well as data entry. She also attended committee meetings and sat in on meetings to discuss prospective bills, which were argued and amended. Stroman was able to learn about Canadian politics, procedures of the office and of the House, as well as Canadian history and culture.
She attended other meetings with representatives from other countries and evening events that were organized by lobbyists or were for charities. She was able to watch the President of Mexico, Felipe Calderón, speak at the House of Commons, as well as meet ambassadors, high commissioners, members of parliament, ministers and senators.
“It was the internship of a lifetime for me because I love to travel and I love government/politics. The internship not only strengthened my interests with government, but helped me to become more motivated about finding a job in that field.”
