The Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP)

 

The Thai-American National Internship Program (TANIP) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Thai-American students and young graduates to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington D.C., and to reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in enhancing the voice of the Thai community in their states.

In 2015, the Royal Thai Embassy initiated a program to provide Thai-American youths with the opportunity to intern/shadow in various offices at the national level. This experience helps participants develop a stronger understanding of how government operates by experiencing it from an insider’s perspective. The program prepares young leaders to participate in the political, legislative and policy arenas, and is dedicated to developing the skills of individuals who are interested in public service. Not only is this an invaluable professional experience, but it also benefits the Thai community in the United States by increasing the interest of Thais in American politics.

Sponsored by the Royal Thai Embassy, in consultation with the U.S.-Asia Institute, the 2023 program is organized to provide the opportunity for Thai-American students and young graduates to come to Washington D.C. from 5 June – 4 August 2023 (9 weeks) to get hands-on experience in the policymaking process.

During the first week orientation, participants would get an inside look at how government works, hearing from Washington policymakers and influencers who play key roles in the American political system. Following the orientation, the students would visit key institutions across Washington, including the Capitol, Federal agencies, the Supreme Court, think tanks, associations and businesses. They would attend congressional and judicial proceedings, briefings on topics of interest, and meet many key participants, policymakers and influencers (including lawmakers, Administration officials, lobbyists, educators, journalists and others). On weekends, they would explore the city and interact with other Americans and foreign nationals in a wide range of social settings.

Participants will primarily be paired with a congressional office or other elected officials from their home district, unless otherwise requested. Due to the highly competitive nature of these positions, placement with a congressional office is not guaranteed. In these instances, participants will be paired with other appropriate organizations. While participants’ background and interests may not be in politics, they are encouraged to intern and make connections with elected officials, their staff and key influencers in Washington. This will not only help facilitate the understanding of how government works, but also equip participants with insights on how to make the concerns of those in their respective Thai community heard at the national level. The students will also spend one week at the Royal Thai Embassy, gaining hands-on experience on Thai-U.S. relations.

Participants may be asked to attend briefings on Thailand and other topics of interest vis-à-vis the bilateral and regional relationship with the United States. Though participants are not experts on the issue, they are in a unique position of having ancestral ties to Thailand and a better understanding of cultural nuances in the relationship. They will also be required to write a short analysis on the experience at the end of the program.  We firmly believe that those chosen for the program have a role to play in informing U.S. policymakers and others about Thailand and its areas of interest.

Acceptance:  Thai-American students and young graduates who meet the qualifications will be accepted for this program.

Format:  The program includes one week of orientation where students will be introduced to how the American government works through a series of meetings with policymakers and influencers from government, business, academia, and the diplomatic community. The student will then be placed in shadowing/internship positions for seven weeks of hands-on experience. They will spend their last week interning at the Royal Thai Embassy to gain insights into Thai-U.S. relations.

Expenses:  Participants are responsible for all expenses related to the program including travel to Washington, D.C. and return home; food; ground transportation throughout the program; and cultural and spending money.  All participants must, after acceptance into the program, show proof of health insurance. Scholarships may be available to defray part of the costs of the program with the amount to be determined.

Requirements:

1. Candidate qualifications

• Age 18-25 years old
• An undergraduate degree OR enrolled as a full-time undergraduate /or graduate student in good academic standing
• U.S. citizenship
• Thai descent
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Record of community service

2. Application process

Prospective candidates can access the online application by clicking HERE or by visiting “https://thaiembdc.org/tanipapplication2023”

**The online application form and other required documents must be submitted by January 16, 2023.**

The online application form will ask for:

• Resume (click HERE for resume sample)
• Statement of Intent and Impact
• A copy of most recent transcript
• One to two letters of recommendation
• A portfolio of Thai-American community engagements (optional)
• A copy of U.S. passport, U.S. Birth Certificate, Certificate of Naturalization, or Certificate of Citizenship as proof of candidate’s U.S. citizenship
• A copy of parent’s ID, passport, or any official document as proof of Thai descent
• A copy of voter registration card

 

**Click HERE to see the preview of the application form**

3. Selection process:

1) A selection committee comprised of qualified individuals from the Royal Thai Embassy and the U.S.-Asia Institute will consider the applications. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly for a video conference interview with the selection committee.

2) Final candidates will be contacted directly by the end of January 2023 and the results will be announced on the Royal Thai Embassy’s website.

For more information, contact the Royal Thai Embassy at [email protected] /202-298-4799, or U.S.-Asia Institute at [email protected] /202-544-3181

 

 

THAI AMERICAN NATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM 2023

DRAFT SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

June 5 to August 4, 2023

June 4, 2023	Arrive in Washington, D.C.
June 5-9, 2023	Orientation/Introduction to the City
	Visits/Meetings with Representatives from The Executive and Judicial Branch (The White House, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Trade Representative, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Education, U.S.  Department of Defense, U.S. Supreme Court); Legislative Branch; Policy Influencers (Think Tanks, Journalists, Lobbyists, and Businesses/Private Sector)   Site Visits/Tours of the U.S. Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the Pentagon
June 12-16, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
June 19-23, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
June 26-30, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 3-7, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 10-14, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 17-21, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 24-28, 2023	CONGRESS/GOVERNMENT IN ACTION: Shadowing/Internship
July 31-August 4, 2023	Internship at the Royal Thai Embassy
	Program Wrap-Up/Evaluation
	Certificate Presentation at the Royal Thai Embassy
August 5, 2023	Return Home

 

2022 TANIP Cohort

 

TANIP Alumni Testimonials

2021 Alumni

 

2019 Alumni

 

2018 Alumni

2017 Alumni

2016 Alumni

2015 Alumni