Johnathan Burch, a sophomore political science major at Rhodes College from Charlotte, NC, has been selected for the 2025 Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship awarded by The Council on International Educational Exchange and the African American Irish Diaspora Network. He will join a diverse cohort of 12 high-achieving students who will participate in an eight-week international internship program in Dublin, Ireland, this summer.
More than 500 students applied for the internship from hundreds of prestigious institutions of higher education. Awardees were chosen based on their desire to gain real-world work experience in Ireland and learn about Irish history and culture as well as their interest in learning more about the social justice impact and business acumen of iconic leaders Frederick Douglass and Daniel O’Connell.
According to The Council on International Educational Exchange, Burch was selected for the Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship program because of his academic excellence, entrepreneurial skills, and commitment to the betterment of others.
“The legacies of Douglass and O'Connell remind me that when we work together—bringing our unique perspectives—we are able to accomplish amazing things,” Burch said in his application. “As someone interested in the fields of medical law and healthcare policy, it is important to me that I learn from other cultures.”
Burch came to Rhodes from Butler High School, where he founded a pre-law society, and as a Posse Foundation Scholar dedicated to developing leadership skills. He participates in the Rhodes’ Mock Trial Program and serves on the Honor Council and Rhodes Student Government. In addition, Burch is a Rhodes Diplomat, Peer Assistant, and an Office of Admission student associate.
As a Douglass-O’Connell Global Intern, Burch will work for an Ireland-based company, attend academic lectures, and participate in extracurricular and networking activities.