Nineteen undergraduate students from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Economics and Business will today be presented with travel scholarships enabling them to undertake a once-in-a-lifetime summer internship program at the University of California Washington Centre in the United States.

Thanks to a new partnership between the faculty and the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney, the economics and business students have been offered an exclusive opportunity to study and work in Washington DC for nine weeks from early January 2011 before returning to Sydney to begin the academic year.

The United States Studies Centre has donated $90,000 in scholarships to assist students with costs of the program. In addition to this, $30,000 in scholarships has been donated by The Turnbull Foundation, which was established by United States Studies Centre Board Director and former Lord Mayor of Sydney, Ms Lucy Turnbull and her husband, Federal Member for Wentworth The Hon Malcolm Turnbull. The Turnbulls will officially launch the program and present the inaugural scholarships at an event on campus today, Monday 6 December. Chairman of the United States Studies Centre, Malcolm Binks; Chief Executive Professor Geoffrey Garrett and Associate Dean (Undergraduate) in the Faculty of Economics and Business, Professor Tyrone Carlin will also attend. Professor Garrett said: "Studying a country like the US from Australia is very worthwhile. But studying while also living and interning there will be mind expanding and life changing for our students". Professor Carlin said: "There's no doubt that employers now look for graduates that have some international experience on their CV's. This internship will provide students with the opportunity to gain international experience as well as enhance their knowledge of American business and culture. Most importantly, the professional placement component of the program offers significant networking opportunities with business leaders and government officials."

Bachelor of Commerce (Liberal Studies) student, Shivuan Sarkis, has been awarded one of the Turnbull Scholarships to support outstanding students with financial need.

Shivuan said: "Having lived in Australia my entire life, I am eager to experience life in another country. The Washington DC Internship will give me the opportunity to supplement my studies with a professional placement and add greatly to my education".

The scholarship winners are:

United States Studies Centre Academic Excellence Scholarship Timothy Blomfield Anjali Narendra Biying Naomi Pan

The United States Studies Centre Merit Scholarship Nancy Gao Mark Khunnithi Rebecca Segal Vaishnavi Suryaprakash Dominique Yong

The United States Studies Centre Travel Scholarship Patrick Desmond Stephanie Hanna Steven Knapman Nicholas Sheldrake Swei Tang John Tawadrous Ronald Maj Eleanor Webster Matheus Yeo

The Turnbull Foundation Scholarship James Kwong Shivaun Sarkis Jasmin O'Connor Further Information: sydney.edu.au/business/Washington or ussc.edu.au

Alison Avery PR and Communications Manager, Faculty of Economics and Business (Ph)+61 2 9114 1135 (m) 0411 281 184 or alison.avery@sydney.edu.au