Aminata Ba. Submitted photo
Aminata Ba chosen for a life-changing summer program in Ireland
By Jordan Karnbach
Aminata Ba, a sophomore public policy leadership major at the University of Mississippi, is one of twelve high-achieving students selected for an eight-week international internship program in Dublin, Ireland.
The Council on International Educational Exchange and the African American Irish Diaspora Network chose this year’s cohort from more than 500 applicants for the 2025 Douglass-O’Connell Global Internship. The group comes from a diverse group of institutions, including flagship public universities, Ivy League schools, and historically Black colleges and universities.
Ba, originally from Memphis, was raised in a West African household in Southaven. Her unique cultural heritage taught her that hospitality — whether Southern or the Senegalese concept of teraanga — is a bridge between people and perspectives, she said.
“As a representative of the University of Mississippi, I will bring this spirit of hospitality to the Douglass-O’Connell program by being a force for open dialogue,” Ba said.
“I believe Mississippi is a perfect model for resilience and community, and I want to showcase to the world that our emphasis on community and belonging make us a beacon of hope for fostering cross-cultural conversations, equipping us with the ability to always find common ground even in the face of differences.”
The program pays tribute to Frederick Douglass‘ transformative visit to Ireland 1845, when the abolitionist and author was embraced by the Irish people and met with Daniel O’Connell, a reformer and leader of the country’s Roman Catholic majority.
The student interns will work with Ireland-based companies while gaining a deeper understanding of Irish history and the legacy of Douglass and O’Connell.
In her application, Ba emphasized her dedication to fostering cross-cultural understanding and driving social change inspired by the legacy of both leaders.
“For me, Douglass and O’Connell’s legacy is a call to action — that change requires collective effort,” she said. “Their work reminds me that progress comes from recognizing our shared responsibility as global citizens and ensuring the fight for human rights is a commitment embraced by all.”
Some of Ba’s academic inspirations at Ole Miss say her innate curiosity and passion for driving change has inspired them to deepen their own understanding and challenge the status quo.
“It’s clear that Ami is not only making an impact but continuing to grow into a powerful force for positive change,” said Katelin Hayward, high school program manager at the Trent Lott Leadership Institute. “Having students like her is what makes everything I do on this campus truly meaningful.”
Ba aims to use this opportunity to further develop her skills and broaden her global perspective.
“I hope to bring back a deeper understanding of how Irish activism and American civil rights movements intersect and use these insights to inform and strengthen advocacy efforts at Ole Miss and beyond,” she said.
“By studying successful policy and advocacy strategies from different sociocultural contexts, I aim to foster cross-cultural coalition building and learn from global change makers the most effective ways to create a more just and equitable South.”
