Fermanagh student, Paula Gunn has played her part in raising the profile of Northern Ireland at the heart of the US Government.
Paula, who graduated last week with a BSc (Hons) degree in Communications, Advertising and Marketing, worked for eight weeks last Summer in the NI Bureau in Washington, helping to arrange visits by NIO Ministers and officials and organising events which highlighted the success stories of the province.
She gained an internship with the NI Bureau through the Washington-Ireland Programme, an initiative which takes university students from throughout Ireland to Washington each year to work in organisations, from the White House to CBS broadcasters.
Paula, who is from Teemore, explained: "The work of the NI Bureau is to promote greater understanding of Northern Ireland affairs in American society.
This ranges from politics to business and educational opportunities which exist in the province.
"During my time there, I helped to organise a visit by NIO Minister, Sean Woodward and also researched suitable venues for Northern Ireland exhibits during the Smithsonian Folklife Festival next Summer."
She also found time to take in a number of political presentations on Capitol Hill, and met Senator Hillary Clinton during a visit by Protestant and Catholic teenagers from Northern Ireland under the Children's Friendship Project NI banner.
"The whole US visit was a tremendous experience. It gave me practical experience of working in a high profile organisation and, also an insight into how politicians operate in America."
During the placement year of her four year course, Paula also worked in the University's Department of Public Affairs and was closely involved in the efforts of the Community Relations Department to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour in Belfast's Holyland area.
She took part in the high profile advertising campaign, 'Do You Turn Into a Monster After Dark', which was aimed at making students aware of their civic responsibilities, and she also organised a Christmas party for senior citizens in the Holyland area of Belfast.
Paula is hoping to gain employment in either advertising or marketing and, if so, she can draw on her experience of promoting the University through editing and writing content for the Life at the University of Ulster website which featured in this year's Prospectus.
