Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP)

The Thai American National Internship Program will not run in 2024. If you are a Thai-American student looking to participate in TANIP this year please consider applying to the ASEAN Diaspora Youth Development Program (AYDP). You can find more information about AYDP here.

The Thai American National Internship Program (TANIP) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for Thai-American students to gain a firsthand look at the American government and political system in Washington DC, and to reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening the US-Thai relationship.

The US-Asia Institute, in consultation with The Royal Thai Embassy, initiated TANIP in 2015 to provide Thai-American students with the opportunity to intern/shadow in various offices of elected officials, public agencies, or private organizations at the national level. This opportunity provides 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 arenas and is dedicated to developing skills of individuals who are interested in public service and civic engagement. Not only is this an invaluable professional experience, but it also benefits the Thai-American community by increasing the interest of this American community in American politics, government, and public service in the future.

Understanding and participating in the political process and engaging with government at all levels is crucial to ensuring that a community’s needs and concerns are heard and addressed. The Thai community in the United States should be more civically engaged and represented at the municipal, state, and national levels. 

You can download the one-pager detailing information of TANIP HERE.

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. 

To read statements from our past TANIP cohort, see our TANIP alumni page HERE.

TANIP Photo Gallery

Sample Itinerary

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

Important Facts

Three-four students will be accepted for the program. The students are responsible for all expenses related to the program (estimated to be approximately $2000), which include travel to Washington, D.C. and return to home location; housing (inexpensive housing option available through the US-Asia Institute or on own); food; ground transportation throughout the program; and cultural and spending money. All participants must, after acceptance into the program, show proof of health insurance and sign a liability waiver. The Thai American Youth Political Leadership Awards sponsored by the Royal Thai Embassy will be given to participants to help cover expenses for the program. Interested participants must indicate their needs for financial assistance in the application form.