TWC and the U.S.-Japan Research Institute (USJI) just finalized a groundbreaking partnership with the signing of an agreement on February 27, 2013. Fourteen students from eight top universities in Japan will receive full funding during a new, two-week international seminar.

The eight Japanese universities include:

Fostering and Enhancing the Students' Academic Learning Experiences through Academic Seminars

The fourth day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) academic seminar was filled with notable speakers, a reception and a renowned panel of North Carolina figureheads and major political power players.

The day began with programming at The Blake Hotel in Charlotte, which included speakers such as Tim Funk, Politics Reporter for the Charlotte Observer, and Israel Balderas, News Anchor for Fox TV Charlotte.

The threat of Hurricane Isaac could not damper the spirits of the 138 students attending the Republican National Convention Academic Seminar. The students, who travelled from over 60 institutions from across the country to Tampa, Florida, were treated to a brilliant and insightful week of speakers, panels and programming. It was not all work and no play as these students had the opportunity to explore Ybor City, attend a variety of receptions and had the opportunity to know each other on a more personal level during their small group sessions.

Academic Seminars offered by The Washington Center benefit students by providing them with practical, firsthand educational opportunities that they may not otherwise be able to experience on their university campuses. But students are not the only beneficiaries. TWC faculty leader, Anthony Moretti offers his perspective after attending four different seminars.

TWC benefits faculty in at least three ways:

Benefit 1: Powerful Interactions

Heather Swicke, a student from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, attended the 2012 Inside Washington Seminar to get a taste of the nation’s capital during the presidential season. Not sure what was in store for her, she took a leap of faith and discovered that Washington, D.C. agreed with her. She provides her perspective on her experience during the two-week seminar.

A Unique, Unmatched Experience in the Nation’s Capital

It might sound cliché, but this year’s Inside Washington seminar was unlike any other. For the first time, 70 participants left Washington, D.C. to spend the day at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Now more than ever, students have a hard time honing in on where they want to work and what they want to do for the rest of their lives. And now more than ever, a new generation of Americans is having an extremely difficult time. This problem is prevalent among students whose interests fall within the social sciences, especially those who pursue a degree without a defined specialization.

The benefits of experiential opportunities

The Washington Center hosted 127 students from more than 22 different universities during the Inside Washington Seminar. Students came from all over the country for two different-themed weeks that provided a comprehensive overview of past presidential elections in addition to insights and observations about this year’s upcoming election.

Week 1: “In Pursuit of the Presidency”

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (TWC) would like to recognize Dr. Nancy Cade, in coordination with the University of Pikeville, for the scholarship fund she created and named in memory of her father, Fred W. Meyer, Jr. Dr. Cade is an active member of both the University of Pikeville and TWC communities. In addition to being a professor of history and political science at the University of Pikeville, she: