Byron Hewson and Naomi Lim are two of 12 students who have been selected for the 2010 Uni-Capitol Internship Programme (UCWIP) which is designed to provide Australian students with unique access to the US political system through placements in congressional offices.

Hewson has been placed with Senator Christopher Dodd (Democrat of Connecticut), chair of the Senate Banking Committee which oversees the American banking system, federal monetary policy and the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, Lim has been placed with Representative John Tierney (Democrat of Massachusetts).

Hewson said he was motivated to apply for the eight-week internship because of his strong interest in the American political system.

"It will be fascinating to experience firsthand the formulation of US policies as well as the diverse personalities that occupy Congress. It's an exciting time to be in Washington with the White House and Congress facing unprecedented challenges in their economic, domestic, environmental and foreign relations arenas," he said.

Lim said she believed the internship would expose her to many "academic, profession and cultural opportunities".

"[The internship] will enrich my theoretical knowledge of government and politics with practical experience on an international stage. Washington D.C. is a place undergoing and instigating so much change around the United States and the world - I want to experience that change firsthand and learn what I can from it," she said.

Hewson and Lim leave for Washington DC in December.