The NZUS Council recently heard from the talented interns who completed their internship journeys at Capitol Hill late 2023 to early 2024.
From Victoria University of Wellington, Gray Ryburn was placed in the Office for Congressman Gregorio Sablan. Reflecting on his experience, Gray shared one of his standout moments: attending Congressional Hearings.
“I was super lucky being in a small team and had the scope to basically enter any meeting in which I want, [and I was] so grateful for that,” Gray told the audience.
His time on Capitol Hill reinforced his “passion for politics”, seeing firsthand the differences between the US two-party system and NZ’s multi-party system, noting “I think I definitely took for granted the access to advocacy that you have, so understanding those bigger pictures and those gridlocks were just so fascinating”.
Gray’s feedback underscores the core of our internship programme to nurture talent, fuel passion, and empower the next generation in trans-Pacific relations.