Washington Ireland Program - Candidate Requirements

Candidate Requirements

WIP is looking for a diverse and dynamic team of 30 students who we believe have the potential to make a difference and help write a better future for Ireland and Northern Ireland. We are looking for individuals who will make great ambassadors for their communities, and who show potential and promise to make a difference both now and in the future.

• Each student is valued from their unique perspective and potential, and while there is no ideal applicant, we look for a range of characteristics and competencies as follows:
• Demonstrated leadership potential. Students may have taken a formal leadership role through their college work or extra curricular activities, or an informal role when leadership was needed amongst their friends, family or community.
• Long standing commitment to service. Students may have shown their commitment to others through sports, volunteer work, or have played an active role in a community project or service project.
• Experience of working collaboratively in a team.
• Willingness to face challenges and work through them with perseverance and commitment.
• Respect for diversity and a desire to learn from the experiences of peers from different backgrounds.
• Dedication to personal and professional excellence. We are looking for people who will bring a responsible attitude to the program, and couple it with a good sense of humor which will help carry the team through challenges.
• Goal and results driven. We looking for individuals who have demonstrated achievement in either their personal or professional life, and who work hard to make positive results happen.

Additional eligibility:

• Born in Ireland or Northern Ireland, or a citizen of Ireland or Northern Ireland, or regard Ireland or Northern Ireland as your home.
• Full time university student or a student of higher education in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Great Britain as of 1st June 2013.
• Aged 0ver 18 as of 1 June 2013.
• Have a valid passport, or can obtain one by 3rd March 2013.
• Fit and healthy to travel and participate in the program.
• Work a minimum of 30 hours on a public service project before departing for DC.
• Available to participate fully, including all preparatory and re-entry weekends, and for a full and uninterrupted eight weeks in DC.

In 2013, we particularly welcome applications from:

• Students on full grant from university or having all their fees based upon the income of their parents.
• Students who are first in their family (excluding siblings) to attend university or college.
• Students who received Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) during the last two years of their secondary school education (Northern Ireland).
• Students who graduated from post-primary schools supported through the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) Program (Republic of Ireland).
• Students who are from a single parent family.