Matthew Haynie

Last Updated on Wednesday, 24 February 2010 01:53 Written by Andrew Lai Tuesday, 19 May 2009 23:28

Travelling abroad can be daunting, you’re away from home, the food is different, the learning environment is new, the examples and analogies given in lectures are unknown to you. However your time abroad is what you make of it. Matthew has chosen to immerse himself not only in study but an working as an intern at our Parliament House and he has been rewarded by meeting the Prime Minister , President of the Senate, Opposition leader and the Iraqi president. The Internships at the Australian National University are one of the many ways to maximise your time in Australia, who know who you might meet?

Matthew at the Australian National University

Why did you choose to come to Australia and study? I had always wanted to come to Australia since I was a little kid, so I applied for an Internship in Australia’s Parliament house, and was lucky enough to get it!  So basically, I just had this romantic idea of the country that most foreigners seem to have!

Why did you choose the Australian National University? It is the top uni in Australia, and it is where Parliament is.

What’s your favourite subject? I love politics.  I just can’t get enough of politics!

About Matthew

Personal Interests: Swimming, movies, politics, running

USA Degree: Political Science and Journalism

Last CD you bought?: Well, it is kind of funny.  I went on a road trip from Sydney to Brisbane with some friends from ANU, and we needed some music to listen to on the journey, so I went to the Virgin Store and bought an R and B CD “Greatest club hits from 2001-2009…GREAT ROAD TRIP MUSIC!

Last movie you saw? Fast and Furious

Last meal you bought? Italian take away

What do you do to relax? Run, swim, watch movies, SLEEP!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? It used to be Australia, but now, if I could go anywhere, I would love to go to Russia.

What’s the funniest moment you have had so far? I I went out with some friends one night after not have sleeping very much the past week as I was busy with Uni work and Parliament business.  This taken into account with I have a tendency to sleep walk with the lack of sleep, and the beers that night didn’t help.  Anyway, I didn’t drink very much, for I was so tired and I went back to college and went to bed.  However, I  was woken up by one of the cleaning staff guys the next morning in the common room, with him saying “Did you have a big one mate?”  Needless to say, I slept walked around my college, lost my shirt, a shoe, and my mind…haha…but I did hear a lot of funny stories about me the next day from several of the residents.

Where have you previously travelled? India, New Zealand, Fiji, and around the USA

What will you remember about being in Australia? It has been a great experience.  From the people to the food to the life at college to skydiving to surfing, it has all been wonderful, and it is going to be bittersweet to leave.

Any advice to students who are thinking about coming out? It is slightly more expensive than I thought it was going to be, so save lots and lots of money, because you are going to want to do things, which cost money.  Also, watch out for the dropbears!

What’s the most interesting cultural difference so far? There are so many, it is hard to pick one.  The one that I love is the slang.

Pictures L- R Matthew and the Hon. John Hogg (President of the Senate), Matthew and Harry Jenkins (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Matthew and His Excellency Mr Tammam Sulaiman the Syrian Ambassador to Australia)

Find out more about Internships and the Australian National University Internships