For the Summer of 1999, PALCUS provided 8 students from across the country with internships in various government departments and agencies. Also, PALCUS was able to provide financial assistance for travel, lodging and weekly spending for essentials. PALCUS would like to thank J.B. Fernandes Trust and the Luso-American Development Foundation for their support of this important program.

1999 Summer Interns

Mr. RodrigoVargas will begin his Senior year at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire in the Fall of 1999, majoring in Geography. His family lives in Elizabeth, New Jersey, though he was born in the Algarve in Portugal. Rodrigo interned at the United States Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal in the Commercial section.

"My working experience could not have been better. My work assignments were always meaningful and greatly contributed to making mine, a very enriching internship."

Miss Christina DaSilva will begin her Senior year at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey in the Fall of 1999, majoring in Political Science and Portuguese. Her family lives in Norwood, Massachusetts, and both of her parents were born and raised in Portugal. Christina interned in the office of Congressman Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, and also volunteered for the East Timor Action Network.

Miss Susan Fagundes will begin her Senior year at University of California, Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California in the Fall of 1999, majoring in Portuguese and Business Economics. Her family lives in Santa Rosa, California, and both of her parents were born in São Jorge, Açores. Susan interned in the office of Congressman Jim Maloney of Connecticut.

"Without a doubt, the most beneficial part of the internship was attending various hearings and learning about different things that are going on in Washington, DC that most Americans don't even have a clue about."

Miss Denise Esteves graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in May of 1999, with a BA in Spanish and Portuguese. Denise's Portuguese heritage is through her paternal grandparents who were born and raised in Terceira, Açores. Denise interned at the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C.

Miss Vanda Escobar will begin her Junior year at the San Diego State University in San Diego, California in the Fall of 1999, majoring in Business Administration. Her family lives in Turlock, California, though her parents were both born in the Açores. Vanda interned at the United States Information Agency in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Mario Jales will begin his first year of graduate school at Stanford Law School in the Fall of 1999. He received his BA in International Relations and French from Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. Mario's father was born in the Tras-os-Montes region of Portugal, while his mother's family is from Lisbon. Mario interned in the office Congressman Richard Pombo of California.

Miss Elsa Gomes will begin her Senior year at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California in the Fall of 1999, majoring in Intercultural Studies and Communication. Elsa was born and raised in Lisbon, and came to the United States three years ago. Her family remains in Lisbon, and she hopes to return to her home someday. Elsa interned in the office of Congressman John Doolittle of California.

Miss Jenny Avelar graduated from Bridgewater State College in Bridgewater, Massachusetts in May of 1999, with a BA in History and Sociology. Her family lives in Taunton, Massachusetts, though both of her parents were born in the Açores. Jenny interned at the headquarters for the Democratic National Congressional Campaign Committee.

To find out more about the PALCUS Summer Internship Program and to apply for a Summer Internship, please click the following link: Summer Internship Program