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- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 5 Jul 2013.
'Uncommon Experience': Newport's Caitlin Burchette spends spring semester in England
(C)2013 NPT PHOTO BY DUAY O'NEIL
Caitlin Burchette displays the identification badge issued to her when she recently interned at the House of Commons in London.
Author: Duay O'Neil
During spring semester, Caitlin Burchette of Newport, a rising junior at the University of Tennessee, did what a growing number of local college students are doing. She spent January 25 through April 25 in England as part of UTK's Global Leadership Scholars Program, an honors business program offered by the university.
Part of the program's requirements call for students to spend the second semester of their sophomore year in London where they take classes and complete internships.
Caitlin's internship landed her in the House of Commons, where she worked in the office of Nigel Evans, MP Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, a job that put her in the right spot at the right time to meet heads of state from around the world, chat with British government leaders at numerous receptions, and joined the queue of those paying their respects to former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whose death occurred while Caitlin was in town.
"It was a fabulous experience," Caitlin said Wednesday morning. "I answered the telephone, routed letters to the proper people, attended meetings and receptions, and even gave tours of Parliament to Nigel's constituents when they visited. Needless to say, they were surprised to have a tour guide from Tennessee!"
Parliament to Nigel’s constituents when they visited. Needless to say, they were surprised to have a tour guide from Tennessee!”
While in London, Caitlin and her fellow UT students stayed at the Florida State Center in Central London, a convenient location for Caitlin’s later assignment to intern at Parliament. She had a 20-minute walk to work, and a 10-minute walk to Covent Garden, where she grew to love the famous mimes.
From January to March, she took classes in statistics and management. On March 4, she reported for duty at Parliament.
After receiving security clearance, a process involving a “huge packet” of paperwork, she received her ID badge.
Assigned to a leading member of the government, Caitlin found her new boss to be “fun” and “down-to-earth.”
“One of my first jobs was to learn to make tea properly,” she laughed. While not a big fan of British-style tea initially, Caitlin says, “I grew to like it.”
On one occasion, she helped host a reception for Her Excellency, Dr. Joyce Banda, President of the Republic of Malawi.
“She was accompanied by her husband, His Excellency Chief Justice Richard Banda, and was there to discuss aid Malawi will receive from the United Kingdom to help tackle HIV,” said Caitlin, who took photographs and prepared a press release of the visit for Evans’ home newspapers.
She met Prime Minister David Cameron, of the Conservative Party, and Ed Milibrand, Leader of the Opposition Labor Party, as well as Nick Clegg, a Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat, and Boris Johnson, Mayor of London. She also heard actor Hugh Grant address Parliament on the subject of privacy.
Listening to debates in Parliament proved to be an eye-opener for Caitlin, who was “appalled by the rudeness of the members. Everyone yells and makes noise while others are speaking. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher died while Caitlin was in London, and her security clearance allowed her to accompany other offi ce staff members to the viewing of the body at St. Margaret’s Undercroft. “Mrs. Thatcher was not accorded a State Funeral,” explained Caitlin, “but was given a Ceremonial Funeral,” which included a huge funeral procession to transport her body to St. Paul’s Cathedral for a service conducted by the Bishop of London.
“I had just attended Easter services there and heard the Bishop speak,” said Caitlin, who watched the funeral service as it was broadcast on television.
“Later a debate regarding Mrs. Thatcher was held in Parliament, and while most of the speakers had good things to say, Glenda Jackson, an Academy-award winning actress and now Parliament member, really lambasted her, referring to Thatcher’s government as imposing ‘the most heinous social, economic, and spiritual damage upon this country, upon my constituency.’”
Caitlin’s days in Parliament weren’t all work, at least not government related. On one occasion, she whipped up Southern biscuits, deviled eggs, a blackberry cobbler, and some good old sweet tea for her co-workers. “They loved everything, except the sweet tea,” said Caitlin. “Some called it the grossest thing in the world!” Caitlin likewise enjoyed new gastronomical experiences, learning to truly enjoy fish-n-chips, curry, and meat pies.
She also took advantage of spring break to travel to Venice, Rome, Madrid, Barcelona, and Paris. “We were in Rome the week the Pope stepped down, and that was interesting,” she said. Weekend jaunts included trips to Oxford, Cambridge, Scotland, and Wales. “It was wonderful,” Caitlin said.
Caitlin is the daughter of Dan and Gail Burchette and the granddaughter of Ernie and Margie Lunsford and Etholeen Burchette, all of Newport, and the late James Burchette.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 20 Jul 2013.
BURCHETTE SPEAKS AT LIONS CLUB
©2013 NPT PHOTO BY RICK HOOPER
Caitlin Burchette of Newport, a rising junior at the University of Tennessee, was guest speaker for the Newport Lions Club meeting Thursday at Southside Baptist Church. Burchette spent January 25 through April 25 in England as part of UTK’s Global Leadership Scholars Program, an honors business program offered by the university. She interned for Nigel Evans, MP Deputy Speaker for the House of Commons, during the semester and also got to visit Paris, Spain, Oxford, Cambridge, Scotland and Wales.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 25 Jul 2013.
BURCHETTE SPEAKS TO KIWANIS
(c)2013 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
Caitlin Burchette, center, and her mother were guests of the Newport Kiwanis Club on July 16. Caitlin, a University of Tennessee junior, spoke about her three-months visit to England and Europe. She participated in UTK’s Global Leadership Scholars Program earlier this year. It so happened that during the Jan. thru April period some historic events took place, which she witnessed both in London, and Rome, when the Pope announced he was stepping down. She is the daughter of Dan and Gail, shown here, Burchette. Kiwanis Vice-President Brad Davidson introduced the program at Fox & Hounds banquet hall where the club meets each Tuesday at noon.
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 5 Jan 2015.
Ernest Anderson Lunsford obituary
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