Every summer, Senator Thanh Hai Ngo welcomes students from Vietnamese communities across Canada to work as interns at the Senate of Canada. The unique opportunity provides students from across the country with practical work experience in both official languages and a front-row seat to the inner workings of Canadian and international politics.

“I am extremely proud to have welcomed such fantastic groups of interns to work in my Senate office over the last five years. This summer internship program provides an invaluable opportunity for six engaged students before they enter the work force or pursue their studies. During their time on Parliament Hill, our interns acquire a firsthand experience learning about Canadian politics, directly following the Senate’s work, and researching and drafting their own report on the human rights situation in Vietnam,” Senator Thanh Hai Ngo said.

“I think it’s a really valuable program because not everyone can say that they’ve worked in the Senate, directly for a Senator. It’s been a really eye-opening summer and it’s made me love what I study even more. This internship is a very rare and valuable experience and I think it’s going to help me in the long run,” said Kim Nguyen, a fifth-year international relations student from the University of British Columbia.

“I believe that students aren’t necessarily interested in politics to begin with and they don’t really understand how the system works or get exposed to the inner workings. So, coming to Ottawa and experiencing it firsthand is one of the best ways to learn. I’ve come away with a greater appreciation for the Senate as an institution,” said Nathan Ly, a fourth-year biochemistry student from the University of Toronto.

Note to readers: The Honourable Thanh Hai Ngo retired from the Senate of Canada in January 2022. Learn more about his work in Parliament.