June 18 - August 10, 2001

Application deadline closed as of February 14th, please look for WLP 2002 applications as of December 1, 2001.
The application for the Washington Leadership Program (WLP) 2001 program is now available for download.  However, it requires that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader.  It has been created so that with Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will be able to download the form and fill it in on your computer, then just simply print it out, sign and date the bottom of it, and then send it in.

You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these documents, freely available from Adobe.com .

 Are you prepared for the challenges of the 21st century? Are you willing to step up and play a leadership role in your community? Since its establishment in 1994, the India Abroad Center for Political Awareness has played a key role in preparing a new generation of Indian American leaders.

Described by Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-OH) as "the best program of its kind," the Washington Leadership Program is the only program offering leadership training for young Indian Americans and one of  the largest Asian American internship programs on Capitol Hill.

“This program has touched me in such a positive way. I have never felt so inspired and motivated.”
- Sejal Shah, Class of 1999

What is the Washington Leadership Program?
The Washington Leadership Program is the flagship program of the India Abroad Center for Political Awareness. Founded in 1995, the program brings promising young Indian American leaders to Washington, DC so that they may learn firsthand about the value of public service and the democratic process.

In five years, the program has grown tremendously from placing just four students in 1995 to providing 15-20 students with unforgettable learning experiences each year. 85 students have now received internships in the nation's capitol sponsored by the Center.

The goals of the program are to:

• To give Indian American students a firsthand look at the democratic process in action
• To teach the value of public service
• To prepare students for leadership against the challenges of the community and the country

The program is conducted through an intensive, eight-week program which is divided into three parts: Orientation week, Internship on Capitol Hill, Wrap-up week.

The experienced gain in legislative offices and through the training modules prove beneficial for the future. Students who've undergone the training have undertaken a number of beneficial projects including planning conferences, running for student government; two have even returned to Washington to work in legislative offices!