The Internship

Launch Your Career

The Washington Center serves students in all majors, with interests in a wide variety of fields. These include the government, nonprofit and business arenas, as well as many others that may partially overlap with them—the worlds of media and communications, science and technology, law and criminal justice, and international affairs. Let us know your interests, whatever they are. We’ll find you substantive and exciting internship options to help you on your way, so that whatever your professional interests may be, you’ll get access to an internship that fits your specific needs.

Our internships give you the chance to work almost full time, allowing you to feel like a member of the staff at your office. You may assist attorneys during a trial, evaluate capital markets, help in radio or television production or attend congressional hearings. You could be conducting scientific research, advocating policy positions, writing a business plan or developing websites and databases.

At the end of it all, you’ll not only be in a more secure position in today’s marketplace but also much more confident about your own talents and clearer on your own direction.

How TWC matches you with the right internship

The Washington Center maintains ties with more than 1,000 organizations that provide high-quality internships in the Washington, D.C. area. Our experienced staff knows which placements offer the best internship experiences for your profile.

Your application will be referred to potential internship sites, usually between five and eight. You should stay in close contact with our Internship Management Team throughout the placement process, and you can use our online system to track where your application has been sent. You will likely have phone interviews with potential supervisors interested in your candidacy, and you will have the opportunity to accept or decline offers. The Internship Management Team will offer advice regarding specific options to help you make decisions, but you decide your final placement.

Additional Resources

• Sample Internship Sites [6]
• Internship Selection Process [20]

The Leadership Forum

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Build Your Professional Network

The Washington Center produces not only future leaders in their professions, but also well-informed citizens who are engaged with their communities and their world. By taking part in our Leadership Forum, you will get the chance to listen to and engage with distinguished speakers, including current and former cabinet members, ambassadors, journalists, members of Congress and other leaders. You’ll get direct access to the perspectives and experiences of important leaders from the business, nonprofit, media, government and diplomatic communities. You’ll also have the opportunity to get engaged in the community around you and make a real difference. The Leadership Forum consists of the following six components:

Career-Specific Programming

Benefit from activities panels, site visits, briefings—especially designed for students with your professional interests, throughout the program.

Learn more [7]

The Alan K. Simpson-Norman Y. Mineta Leaders Series (SMLS)

Hear the perspectives and experiences of distinguished leaders from the business, nonprofit and government sectors as well as the diplomatic community, on selected Monday afternoons.

Learn more [24]

Civic Engagement Project

Be involved in projects where you learn and apply skills needed to make a positive difference in the community.

Learn more [25]

Roundtable on Civil Society & Social Responsibility

This event, delivered once each semester, brings together outstanding speakers from the corporate, government and NGO sectors.

Learn more [26]

Public Policy Dialogues on Capitol Hill (PPDCH)

Meet in a small group with a member of Congress or senior staff on Capitol Hill for a discussion of current issues.

Learn more [27]

Simpson-Mineta Leaders Series

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The Alan K. Simpson - Norman Y. Mineta Leaders Series

The Simpson-Mineta Leaders Series is founded in the spirit of the lifelong friendship of two extraordinary leaders from opposite sides of the aisle. Norman Y. Mineta and Alan K. Simpson met during World War II when Simpson’s Boy Scout troop met with Mineta’s in the Heart Mountain Relocation Center in Wyoming where Secretary Mineta’s family was then interned with over 10,000 other Japanese-Americans. Despite their differences, both their friendship and their commitment to leadership and public service endured.

 

The Simpson-Mineta Leaders Series aims to create a forum in which students from around the country and the world can engage with extraordinary leaders, explore issues of contemporary public concern, and articulate their own views about the meaning of leadership and citizenship in today’s society.

 

Past speakers include:

• Secretary Madeleine K. Albright, The Albright Group
• Anna E. Cabral, U.S. Treasurer
• Dick Cheney, U.S. Vice President
• U.S. Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC), House Majority Whip
• Sam Donaldson, ABC News Anchor
• Carlos Gutierrez, U.S. Secretary of Commerce
• U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE)
• Brian Lamb, founder, chairman and CEO of C-SPAN
• Mike McCurry, White House Press Secretary
• Lori Montenegro, National Correspondent–Washington Bureau, Telemundo
• Dr. Klaus Scarioth, German Ambassador to the United States
• Jim Lehrer, Executive Editor & Anchor, PBS
• Lawrence Korb, Founder of the Center for American Progress
• Kevin Klose, Former President of National Public Radio
• Dennis Hastert, Former Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Former Senator
• Trent Lott (R-MS), Former Senator
• Norman Mineta, Former Democratic Congressman, Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of Transportation

Read about recent SMLS events [40]

 

Additional Resources

• Civic Engagement Projects [25]
• Roundtable on Civil Society & Social Responsibility [26]
• Public Policy Dialogues on Capitol Hill [27]

The Academic Course

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Pursue Your Academic Interests

An academic course is an integral part of your Washington Center experience. You’ll be able to choose one from approximately 30 courses typically offered each semester or summer term.

These are serious academic courses that, combined with the internship, can help you earn credit at your home college or university. They have in many cases a direct relationship to the work you’re doing throughout the week, and range from politics, business and economics to international affairs and communications.

The courses, led by highly qualified faculty who are dedicated teachers, meet one night per week. They are grounded in traditional disciplines, yet taught within the context of the wide array of resources available in Washington, D.C.

List of Academic Courses

American Politics and Public Policy

• Campaigning for a Cause: How Advocacy Groups Change the World
• Government and Business in the New Economic and Political Reality
• The American Presidency

Business, Management and Public Administration

• Global Markets and International Business Strategies
• From Ideas to Action: The Anatomy of Entrepreneurship

Communications

• Media and the Movies
• The Mass Media and National Politics: Explaining Washington to the Public

International Affairs and Foreign Policy

• U.S. Foreign Policy in the 21st Century: Dynamics of Change
• International Human Rights
• How Washington Engages the Arab Middle East

Law and Criminal Justice

• Philosophy of Law, the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitutional Tradition
• White Collar Crime
• Introduction to Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure

Leadership

• Essentials for Aspiring Leaders
• Nonprofit Leadership and Management Research
• Research and Writing Seminar

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

• Issues in Science Policy
• Forensic Psychology

Washington, D.C.-based Courses

• Scandalous Washington: Uncovering D.C. History
• Black Broadway and Beyond: The African-American Experience in Washington, D.C.

Program-Specific Courses

Participants in the Postgraduate Professional Development Program may choose a course specifically designed for them, or one from our general offerings.

Additional Details

A course guide (including descriptions and faculty biographies) for your specific term in Washington will be made available approximately 4 to 6 weeks prior to your arrival. You’ll have an opportunity to select your top five course options and be placed into one (in most cases your first or second choice). Add/drop requests are then accepted via email.

Additional Resources

• The Portfolio [22]
• Housing [10]
• Eligibility [11]
• Dates & Deadlines [45]
• Program Costs & Scholarships [13]
• Academic Credit & Grades [46]
• How to Apply [14]
• Resources [15]
• Road to the White House [47]

The Portfolio

The Portfolio is a tool that many universities and graduate schools use to help students demonstrate what they have accomplished during the semester. The Portfolio helps students link classroom learning with their professional work at their internship. Your final portfolio will be sent to your college or university. Many students present their portfolios to potential future employers as documentation of their skills and abilities.

Goals of the Portfolio

• To show growth and improvement personally, professionally, academically, and civically.
• Sharpen leadership abilities.
• Reflect on personally significant work or experiences.
• Present a student’s best work in an organized format.

Components of the Portfolio

Each component is designed to document, analyze and reflect on the intern’s overall experience. Components include:

• Individual Development Plan
• Résumé/Cover Letter
• Civic Engagement Project Report
• Informational Interview Reflection
• Public Policy Dialogues on Capitol Hill (letter to Congressional representative or subcommittee chair)
• Special assignments related to your program area [48]
• Capstone Reflection
• Work samples (from internship and academic course)

Additional Resources

• Housing [10]
• Eligibility [11]
• Dates & Deadlines [45]
• Program Costs & Scholarships [13]
• Academic Credit & Grades [46]
• How to Apply [14]
• Resources [15]

Explore the Nation’s Capital

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At The Washington Center, you not only get a great work experience and a great learning experience, you also get a great life experience.

Washington, D.C. is a city with so much to offer—impressive architecture and monuments, incredible museums, world-class performances of theater, great nightlife, a rich international community, and hundreds of restaurants offering cuisines from all over the world—you’ll be able to experience it all from a true insider’s perspective.

Living in Washington, D.C. is like nothing else in the world. The city’s energy is remarkable, at both work and play. There’s so much to be accomplished, and so much to see and do. It’s all at your doorstep as a Washington Center intern.

Things to do in D.C.

• World-famous monuments
• The lighting of the national tree during the winter
• The Smithsonian museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, National Gallery of Art and American History Museum (all free!)
• The Newseum, Spy Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial and art galleries
• World-class performances of theater, music and dance year-round at the Kennedy Center, Arena Stage and numerous other venues
• Cherry blossoms in the spring
• Concerts on the National Mall during the summer

Additional Resources

• Student Services [57]
• Eligibility [11]

Student Services

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Housing, Career Services, Orientation/Commencement, Disability Services, and Events/Programs are coordinated by the dedicated and friendly staff in Student Services. They are available to help you make the most of your professional living experience. You’ll always have access to the resources they offer. Some of the events that Student Services commonly organize include:

• Career Boot Camp
• Professional workshops including Resume, Cover Letter, Networking, Job Search and much more.
• The International Festival
• Walking tours of Washington, D.C.’s neighborhoods
• Fun events including BBQs and Ice Cream Socials
• Weekend Getaway’s to Baltimore, Atlantic City, Great Falls National Park, and more.

The professional staff of the Office of Student Services is here to make sure your experience is a positive one, and will do whatever they can to support you in the transition to the Washington, D.C., metro area.

Health Services

While The Washington Center does not have a clinic of its own, we strive to provide our students with access to the best resources available while they are interning in D.C. You’ll receive a list of nearby medical facilities and mental health resources. If you need temporary health care coverage for the semester, our Student Services team will connect you with places to obtain it; all students are required to have health insurance.

The health and safety of students is very important to The Washington Center. Washington, D.C., offices, residential buildings, and public transit systems have well-established procedures for responding to issues that arise. At orientation, you’ll be briefed on the emergency policies and procedures.

Additional Resources

• Disability Services [60]
• Eligibility [11]

Disability Services

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The Washington Center’s goal is to ensure that all students are equipped with the tools necessary to complete their classroom and workplace responsibilities and live comfortably in provided housing. We are committed to upholding and maintaining all aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and make every effort to accommodate reasonable requests and services.

 

After acceptance into the program, students requiring accommodation need to complete their application for services at least six weeks before arriving in D.C. so the necessary arrangements can be made. Each student’s need is considered on a case by case basis. Below are some of the requests we’ve been able to fulfill in the past.

 

Classroom Accommodations

• Note-takers
• Sign-language interpreting
• Real-time Captioning (CART)
• Course-by-phone
• Readers
• Alternative format materials (i.e. Braille, large print, etc.)
• Extended time for assignments

Workplace Accommodations

• Assistive technologies - both software and hardware (JAWS, TextHelp)
• Sign Language Interpreting
• Note-takers
• Readers
• Alternative format materials (i.e. Braille, large print, etc.)

Residence Accommodations

• Roll-in showers
• Hand-held shower heads
• Flashing smoke detectors
• Lowered appliances
• Electronic door openers

International Students

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Along with the standard application requirements for The Washington Center, students attending institutions outside of the U.S. that do not have U.S. citizenship will need to be aware of these additional requirements for their application:

• Copy of the first page of a valid passport (for J-1 Visa process)
• TOEFL results, or equivalent (waived in certain cases)

The information below outlines TWC’s general requirements. Since your school may have additional requirements, we encourage you to contact your liaison before beginning the application process. You may also reach us at internationalinfo@twc.edu [67] with any questions.

Application Requirements

To be eligible, students must:

Additional Requirements for the Postgraduate Professional Development Program

To be eligible for the PPDP, students must:

• Have received their undergraduate degree within 18 months of the start of the program or be currently enrolled in a graduate school.

Additional Resources

• J-1 Visa Requirements [68]
• Health Insurance [69]
• How to Apply [65]

Health Insurance

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International Students

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You must certify that you have a valid health insurance policy to comply with the State Department requirements for all participants. You will need to bring proof of insurance with you when you come to the United States.

 

Health Insurance Policy

Your policy must include:

 

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• Expenses associated with the medical evacuation to my home country in the amount of $10,000
• A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

Insurance Provider Requirements

The insurance provider must meet at least one of the following requirements:

 

• Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an AM Best rating of “A-“ or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd (ISI) rating of “A-1” or above, a Standard & Poor’s Claims-Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, a Weiss Research Inc. rating of “B+” or above, or a corresponding rating from the U.S. Information Agency.
• Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the student’s home country; or part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor.

You are required to obtain a health insurance policy that meets these requirements prior to your arrival in Washington, D.C.

 

Our Recommendations

We recommend that you take an extra month of coverage to ensure that you are covered on the dates of your travel as well as a few days after the completion of your program until your return home.

 

The Washington Center can recommend local health insurance providers; policies can be bought online for approximately $50 per month. For more information, please contact internationalinfo@twc.edu [67].

 

Additional Resources

• How to Apply [65]

Early Deadlines

Early Application Deadlines

Although our staff will ensure that you have an internship related to your professional field if you submit your materials by our regular deadline and are accepted, you should be aware that certain sites have internal deadlines that fall before TWC’s. Some of these organizations, particularly those related to law enforcement, select interns early so that they can process security clearance paperwork. Others request additional application materials beyond those you have prepared for TWC.

Below we’ve listed the names of some of these internship sites and the approximate dates by which we tend to require applications in order to work through our admissions process and get you in position to be considered at each site. The list is not exhaustive and you may also wish to confirm deadlines directly on organizations’ websites. If you’ve missed the deadline for an organization in which you were interested, we still encourage you to submit your TWC application. Sometimes openings may still be available at these sites for late applicants—or you may find that other organizations offer similar opportunities. Throughout the internship selection process, you’ll learn about options from your TWC advisor. We work with hundreds of organizations that select students after TWC’s regular deadline!

Please note that internships at the sites below may be available only to degree-seeking students and may not be open to quarter students.

* The U.S. Congressional Offices do not require an early application for the Spring or Fall semesters.

Program Fees

Washington Center Fees for 2013

Please note that the costs to U.S. students are usually offset, in part or whole, by financial assistance from their institution, their state, The Washington Center and/or other sources.

The tuition for TWC’s programs is the same for U.S. and international students. The application fee for international students is $125 which covers the cost of sending the J-1 visa package. International students attending U.S. institutions who do not need a J-1 visa from TWC only pay $60 application fee.

International students must pay 50% of tuition fee as soon as they are accepted, and the remaining 50% before the start of the program. Please be sure to review the program refund policy and the housing refund policy.

International students attending the Postgraduate Professional Development Program pay $250 non-refundable deposit.

¹ Fees for 2014 will be published in September 2013.
² There is no application fee for the PPDP. A deposit is due at the time of application. This deposit is applied toward the program fee and is only refunded if the applicant is not accepted into the program.

Additional Resources

• Funding for U.S. Students [81]
• Funding for International Students [82]
• Financial Assistance Inquiry Form [83]
• Refund and Cancellation Policies [84]

Funding for U.S. Students

If you need financial assistance to make your semester or summer in Washington, D.C. possible, review the following scholarship opportunities available through The Washington Center. Feel free to contact us at info@twc.edu [63] if you have any questions.

Please note that scholarship recipients may be invited to special events and to take part in activities with donors and that most scholarships are not cumulative (meaning that you receive the largest award for which you qualify).

Also, some awards have an impact on internship placement options, so you may need to communicate the requirements of your scholarships with your advisor.

Funding for International Students

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Scholarships for International Students

The Washington Center raises scholarship money from a number of governments, private companies and foundations to help students afford the cost of the program. Additionally, we offer a number of competitive awards for international students. These scholarship opportunities are listed below.

We encourage you to seek guidance from your university campus liaison or our staff to make sure the cost of the program is affordable to you. Feel free to contact us at internationalinfo@twc.edu [67] if you have any questions.

Scholarships Offered in Collaboration with our Partners

American Councils for International Education/U.S.-CAEF

Every fall, the American Councils for International Education (ACCELS) provides six fully funded scholarships to students participating in our academic internship program from Central Asia who are graduates of either the Kazakhstan Institute for Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP) or the American University of Central Asia through a fellowship awarded by the U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation (U.S.-CAEF). The program is designed to provide meaningful academic and work experiences relevant to the students’ academic background.

Belgium Initiatives

The Flemish Minister for Education, Youth, Equal Opportunities and Brussels Affairs provides twelve 7,500 Euros scholarships for eligible students from the region of Flanders from Artevelde University College Ghent, Ghent University, Hasselt University, Hogeschool-Universiteit Brussel, University of Leuven-KU Leuven, University of Antwerp and Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Howest, University College West Flanders.

Canada Initiatives

Competitive scholarships from the following provinces are available for eligible students: New Brunswick (through Business New Brunswick, Intergovernmental Affairs and SEED), Quebec (through the Ministry of International Relations), Alberta (through Alberta Enterprise & Advanced Education), Saskatchewan (through the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Education). To qualify for funding, students have to attend school in the province as well as be a resident of that province.

Mitsui USA Scholarship Fund

The Mitsui USA Scholarship Fund will provide (5) $1,000 scholarships designated for college students in the United States who are interested in international affairs or other related fields of study; or to international students from other parts of the globe. These students will be enrolled in The Washington Center’s ten-week summer term internship program and/or the fifteen-week spring or fall semester.

The Washington Center Awards

Civic Engagement Award

These awards provide $1,000 in financial assistance for housing. Recipients are chosen competitively on the basis of their academic performance and record of involvement and leadership in relevant settings (college or university, community, etc.) as reflected on their application, including their resume and transcript. Students are encouraged to specify interest in the award on the application and priority consideration is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline for their term. This scholarship is not available to participants of the Postgraduate Professional Development Program.

Professional Achievement Award

Competitively awarded, this newly announced scholarship provides grants ranging from $1,500-$2,500 to students who have demonstrated a commitment to career advancement as evidenced by membership in professional organizations and honors societies, completion of previous internships, or prior work experience. Students also may be selected based upon potential for professional success as reflected in their academic performance and extracurricular involvement.

William Burke Leadership Award

This scholarship provides for unrestricted grants of varying amounts of up to $4,000. Recipients are chosen competitively on the basis of their academic performance and record of involvement and leadership in relevant settings (college or university, community, etc.) as reflected on their application, including their resume and transcript. Students may be required to provide additional documentation to demonstrate financial need and priority consideration is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline. Limited availability to students in the Postgraduate Professional Development Program.

Additional Funded Programs for International Students

The Ford Motor Company Global Scholars Program

Read about our internship program available to college students from Brazil, China, India, Russia, South Africa and the United States, during the fall semester.

Learn more [99]

Governors Internship Program

Learn about this internship program available to nominated Mexican college students and young professionals from selected states, during the fall and spring semesters.

Learn more [100]

Prudential Foundation Global Citizens Program

Explore our internship program available to college students from Brazil, China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Taiwan.

Learn more [101]

U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative

Discover our internship program available only to Panamanian college students.

Learn more [102]

Additional Resources

• Financial Assistance Inquiry Form [83]
• Refund and Cancellation Policy [84]

Financial Assistance Inquiry Form

Not a student? Sign up for our alumni [103]or university [104] contacts email list.

Refund & Cancellation Policies

Washington, D.C. Program Fee Refund and Cancellation Policy

Washington Center staff does extensive work on your behalf prior to your arrival in Washington, D.C. This necessitates a commitment by you to adhere to The Washington Center refund policy. When you sign the policy agreement on your application, you are making a financial commitment to The Washington Center, and you are indicating that you have read and understand the refund and cancellation policies.

Financial assistance is contingent on successful completion of the program. Cancellation, dismissal, withdrawal or failure to successfully complete the program voids all forms of financial assistance, and any financial assistance provided to the student plus any outstanding fees are due and payable to TWC.

The Washington Center grants refunds and/or will assess a charge for program fees under certain circumstances as specified in Table A. The initial application fee or postgraduate program deposit is not refundable.

• All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing. A request for a program fee refund should be submitted to Enrollment Services at enrollment@twc.edu [106].
• TWC will not release grades for any student with an outstanding balance.
• All interns are governed by the Student Code of Conduct. Students dismissed from the program (and thus from the housing facilities) after due process procedures have been followed receive no refund for program or housing fees.

Washington, D.C. Housing Fee Refund and Cancellation Policy

Upon acceptance to The Washington Center, you will be given information about submitting a Housing Reservation Contract. This contract must be submitted along with your $300 Housing Security Deposit six (6) weeks prior to your scheduled check-in date. The deposit will hold your space in housing. Once the contract has been submitted, the Housing Security Deposit will be forfeited if you cancel your housing. Additional fees may be assessed as outlined in Table B.

If a student’s financial assistance requires that he/she live in TWC housing, cancellation of housing will result in a loss of that assistance and the student’s bill will be adjusted accordingly. To cancel a housing reservation, a student must submit notification, in writing, to housing@twc.edu [107]. No cancellations will be taken by phone or in person by a member of TWC staff. The Washington Center does grant partial refunds on housing under certain circumstances as specified in Table B.

Payment

The Washington Center requires that all TWC invoices be paid in full by the due date noted on your invoice. Students with an outstanding balance may not check into Washington Center housing, or begin their internship unless prior alternative arrangements have been made with The Washington Center’s finance office. Email finance at finance@twc.edu [108] or call 202-238-7900 to discuss payment to TWC.

The Washington Center is often flexible with payment dates for students who are waiting for financial aid to be disbursed at their home campus. Some students participating in the program will have their program and/or housing fee fully or partially paid by their home institutions. In those cases, students would contact the college or university awarding their credit to cover their costs.

Additional Resources

• How to Apply [14]
• Resources [15]

Application Documents

Checklist of Documents to Submit with Application All Students

You should prepare all of your application materials carefully, as they will often be referred to prospective internship sites after your acceptance!

Resume: Include a one-page resume that outlines your educational background, honors or recognitions, work experience, activities, special skills, travel interests, etc. Please be sure to include any computer-related expertise or foreign language skills, as well as prior internships and community service activities. If you do not have a current resume, check with your campus career center for advice on format.

Statement of Professional Interest: In approximately 100 words, describe the kinds of activities in which you would like to be involved during your internship and how these activities would relate to your career goals. Please do not specify the name(s) of any particular organization in this statement.

Issues Essay: Please compose an essay of approximately 500 words to be used as a writing sample. This component of the application provides you with an opportunity to reflect on a key issue with which you may wish to be engaged during your internship and demonstrate your written communication skills to TWC and prospective internship site supervisors. You should ensure that your essay is relevant to the professional field in which you'd like to intern and includes your personal opinion on the issue discussed.

Transcript: You should make arrangements to have an official transcript sent to The Washington Center. Our address is The Washington Center, ATTN: Enrollment Services, 1333 16th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Letters of Recommendation*: Two letters of recommendation are required. One of these letters must be from a faculty member, while the other may be from a professional supervisor. Neither letter should come from a family member or friend, and we suggest that you do not request letters from high school teachers. If you have below a 2.75 GPA, you will need to obtain three letters total (two of which should be from faculty members).

Students Attending Schools Outside of the United States

• All documents above
• TOEFL score
• Copy of passport

*Will be submitted online directly by provider

Day 1

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Many Washington Center students intern with the federal government—in the White House or Congress or in federal agencies such as the Departments of Justice, Commerce and State. If you’re interested in any area of public policy, politics or public administration, there’s no better place to prepare for your future.

Day 2

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Washington, D.C., has more nonprofit organizations than any city in the country—25,000 of them. Washington, D.C. is home to the largest international nonprofits in the world and also has hundreds of organizations providing direct services to the local community.

Day 3

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An internship with a for-profit organization will introduce you to the private sector, the country’s and the world’s great engine of economic growth. Whether you’re at a law or lobbying firm, or the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, it will help you understand the way business is done (and, often, how related policy is made). It will help you determine whether or not the for-profit arena is for you.

Day 4

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The Washington Center serves students in all majors, with interests in a wide variety of fields. These include the government, nonprofit and business arenas featured on these pages as well as many others that may partially overlap with them - the worlds of media and communications, science and technology, law and criminal justice, and international affairs.

Day 5

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An academic course is an integral part of your Washington Center experience. You’ll be able to choose from 35 to 50 courses typically offered each semester or summer term.

Day 6

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The Washington Center reaches more than 25 countries each year and sends students to two continents outside of North America. Students from around the world are welcome at The Washington Center. Each year between 15 and 20 percent of students enrolled in our internship programs come from other countries. This is truly a place of cultural diversity, reflective of the diverse population of Washington, D.C. Over the last 16 years, nearly 2,000 students from 35 countries have joined TWC’s transformational internship programs. Everyone here looks forward to welcoming you to Washington, D.C.

Day 7

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The Washington Center experience provides numerous opportunities for participants to be involved in projects and events where they learn and apply skills needed to make a positive difference in the community.

The Internship

Working in a Different Culture Offers Immeasurable Life-Long Value

Understanding the people and cultures of different countries is no longer considered just an advantage; it is a necessity. When you intern abroad, you will be working in organizations that will give you a first-hand understanding of global interconnections. You will also gain insight into how people in other countries approach the challenges that they face in their societies.

You will become attuned to small cultural differences so that you can better understand and easily adapt to a variety of circumstances and environments throughout your life and career. After your internship in London, you will come away with a wealth of cultural, interpersonal and business know-how that is difficult to gain in any other way. These multicultural skills will be an asset to you throughout your career.

Undertaking an internship abroad with The Washington Center will help you deepen your understanding of the world and, especially, make you a more attractive candidate for work at international organizations and multinational businesses.

Additional Resources

• Sample Internship Sites [137]
• The Placement Process [138]

The Academic Course

Internships at The Washington Center are highly academic and the Intern Abroad programs are no exception. All students traveling to London will participate in the same academic course; however, as with all of TWC’s programs, there will be ample time to expand your learning opportunities using the resources around you. 
The Academic CoursesLondon and Britain - An Interdisciplinary ExplorationExamine the society, government and politics of contemporary Britain, up to and including the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition led under Prime Minister David Cameron. Classes, held three hours each week, include lecture and discussion, with breaks for group discussion and work. 

Special Topics SeriesThis course expands the examination of the cultural and social history of Britain in the 20th and 21st centuries. You’ll spend three hours each week with either a guest speaker or at a site relating to the week’s focus. Topics include:

• Crime and Justice in London
• Immigration and Modern Britain
• Britain’s Role on the World Financial Stage

Academic CreditAll undergraduates must receive academic credit at their home institutions to participate in the Intern Abroad program. Graduate students wishing to receive credit facilitated by The Washington Center may also enroll in the London program. Recent graduates and graduate students not receiving credit are not eligible for this program. Instead, they may consider our Postgraduate Professional Development Program [48] located in Washington, D.C., as an alternative.

Credit is awarded by the home institution, not by The Washington Center. The amount of credit varies by college or university, and the method by which a student will receive credit should be worked out with the liaison or campus sponsor prior to approval. Regardless of how the credit is allocated by the home institution, all components of the program must be completed.

Additional Resources

• The Academic Seminar & Workshop [136]

The Academic Seminar & Workshop

Your internship abroad begins with a fast-paced 10-day seminar in Washington, D.C., featuring site visits, guest speakers, academic work and other programming tailored to London. Past activities have included:

• An interview workshop
• A visit to the British Embassy
• A walking tour of the Kennedy Center
• A tour of the Capitol Building and meeting with the House Parliamentarian
• A discussion and comparative analysis of government scandals in the U.K. and the U.S.
• A mock “Prime Minister’s Questions” in the style of the U.K.’s parliament

Each seminar has a set of themes, such as:

• Homelessness
• The environment
• Political economy
• History, architecture and public spaces
• Immigration

You'll continue to explore these themes through your academic work and internship course abroad.

Learning Through Internships

The seminar will continue when you are abroad in the form of an "internship course" comprised of weekly class meetings. This is an educational experience that gives you the opportunity to apply classroom learning to the workplace and social environment of the host culture, to expand professional skills and earn academic credit. Themes that will be examined as part of this course include:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Gender
• Multiculturalism
• Media, Law and Politics
• Social Justice and Urban Challenges

Your time abroad will culminate in the creation of a substantive portfolio of work completed for both the Washington, D.C. seminar and the Learning Through Internships course.

Program Fees

Program Fees: London 2013

London Budgets

The budgets below are estimations of all of the costs associated with this program. The program and housing fees below do not take into consideration any financial arrangements your college or university may have with The Washington Center, or financial assistance. Please contact your campus liaison or The Washington Center for school-specific information.

• Spring 2013 [142]
• Summer 2013 [143]
• Fall 2013 [144]

Scholarships

Funding for U.S. Students

If you need financial assistance to make your semester or summer in London possible, review the following scholarship opportunities available through The Washington Center. Feel free to contact us at info@twc.edu [63] if you have any questions. Please note that most scholarships are not cumulative (meaning that you receive the largest award for which you qualify).

State Scholarships

Unfortunately, at this time, most states do not provide support for students participating in the Washington, D.C.-London Program.

Maryland

The Honorable Pete Rawlings Washington Center Scholarship Fund

The late Honorable Howard “Pete” Rawlings, member of the Maryland House of Delegates and chair the House Budget Committee, left many lasting legacies of his work, one of which is a scholarship program for selected Maryland students. This scholarship program began in 1999 and was named in Delegate Rawlings’ honor in 2006 for his extensive work on higher education and student civic engagement.

Anticipated award amounts for 2013 intern abroad programs:

• Spring semester: $5,500
• Summer term: $5,500
• Fall semester: TBD

Eligibility & Rules: Students must be MD residents and attend four-year public colleges and universities or selected community colleges in Maryland.

Private Awards

Civic Engagement AwardProvides $1,000 in financial assistance for housing. Recipients are chosen competitively on the basis of their academic performance and record of involvement and leadership in relevant settings (college or university, community, etc.) as reflected on their application, including their resume and transcript. Students are encouraged to specify interest in the award on the application and priority consideration is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline for their term. This scholarship is not available to participants of the Postgraduate Professional Development Program.

William Burke Leadership Award

Provides for unrestricted grants of varying amounts from $500-$4,000. Recipients are chosen competitively on the basis of their academic performance and record of involvement and leadership in relevant settings (college or university, community, etc.) as reflected on their application, including their resume and transcript. Students may be required to provide additional documentation to demonstrate financial need and priority consideration is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline. Limited availability to students in the Postgraduate Professional Development Program.

Professional Achievement Award

Provides competitively awarded grants ranging from $1,000-$2,500 to students who have demonstrated a commitment to career advancement as evidenced by membership in professional organizations and honors societies, completion of previous internships, or prior work experience. Students also may be selected based upon potential for professional success as reflected in their academic performance and extracurricular involvement. Limited availability to students in the Postgraduate Professional Development Program.

Association of College Honor Societies Scholarship (ACHS)

This award provides $1,000 housing scholarships to students in national honor societies that are members of the Association of College Honor Societies [91]. A limited number of scholarships per society are awarded each year. Applicants must submit documentation verifying membership. Examples include a copy of a membership certificate or letter from the local chapter or national office or an email from the local chapter representative. Postgraduate Professional Development Program [145] participants are eligible to apply. Priority consideration is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline.

National Collegiate Honors Council Scholarship

This award provides $2,000 housing scholarships to students who are in honors programs or colleges that are members of the National Collegiate Honors Council [92]. A limited number of scholarships are awarded each year. Applicants must submit a letter from their honors director confirming that their membership is in good standing. Priority consideration is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline.

TWC Diversity Leaders AwardProvides $3,000 in financial assistance for housing. Applicants must be able to contribute to the diversity of our students and of Diversity Leaders awardees. Recipients are chosen competitively on the basis of their academic performance and record of involvement and leadership in relevant settings (college or university, community, etc.) as reflected on their application, including their resume and transcript. Preference is given to students who apply by the competitive deadline for their term, and applicants should specify interest in the award on their application. U.S. citizenship or permanent U.S. residency is required. This scholarship is not available to participants of the Postgraduate Professional Development Program.

Financial Aid Inquiry Form

Not a student? Sign up for our alumni [103]or university [104] contacts email list.

Refunds & Cancellations

The refund and cancellation policy for the Intern Abroad program differ from the D.C. internship programs. Please read the policy carefully. You will be required to verify that you’ve read and understood it as part of the online application.

The Washington Center staff does extensive work on your behalf prior to the start of the program. For this reason, after your acceptance into the Intern Abroad program, you are required to submit a $250 deposit that is subtracted from the invoice that either you or your home institution will receive for the program fee. This necessitates a commitment by you to adhere to The Washington Center refund and cancellation policy. When you agree to this policy as part of your online application, you are making a financial commitment to The Washington Center, and you are indicating that you have read and understood the policy.

The Washington Center grants refunds on program fees or collects cancellation fees under certain circumstances as specified in Table A below. The initial application fee is not refundable, but may be applied to another program within one year of the original application.

• All requests for refunds must be submitted in writing to the Director of Enrollment Services.
• Students will be refunded any amount already paid, after the appropriate cancellation fee has been collected. If payment has not been made, the student must pay the cancellation fee. Depending on The Washington Center’s financial arrangement with the student’s school, either the student or the school will be invoiced directly. However, it is the student’s responsibility to cover the cost of a cancellation.
• The Washington Center will not release grades for any student with an outstanding balance.
• All interns are governed by the Student Code of Conduct. Students dismissed from the program (and thus from the housing facilities) after due process procedures have been followed, receive no refund for either program or housing fees. The internship policy lists further reasons a student may not receive a refund due to behavioral issues or other events.
• The Washington Center reserves the right to cancel the program at any time.

Table A

Housing Refund and Cancellation PolicyHousing is included in the cost of all Intern Abroad programs. No discounts will be given for choosing to use housing not provided by The Washington Center.

Upon acceptance to The Washington Center, you will be directed to the housing website, where you can complete the Housing Reservation Form [146]. This form must be completed and returned with your $300 Housing Security Deposit six (6) weeks prior to your scheduled check-in date. This deposit will be held until the end of the program and will apply to both the housing in Washington, D.C., and to the housing in your destination city. The deposit will hold your space in housing. Once the form has been submitted, the Housing Security Deposit will be forfeited if you cancel your housing. You will not be refunded any part of your fees, unless the deadlines in Table A apply.

To cancel your housing reservation, you must submit notification, in writing, to housing@twc.edu [107]. No cancellations will be taken by phone or in person by a member of TWC staff.

The Internship Experience

D.C. Students

A typical week blends a four and a half-day internship with program-specific rigorous academics. For 36 hours per week students go to their internship where they gain work experience and acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities that will benefit them in their future careers.

Students participate in one course per week tailored to increasing their knowledge in a specific area of interest. Monday afternoons are dedicated to The Leadership Forum where participants meet with distinguished leaders with diverse professional backgrounds. They engage in substantive discussions ranging in topics from arts and culture, to nonprofit leadership, environment, and civic engagement.

During the week, students also are encouraged to participate in additional events on their own, create a network of contacts to assist their professional development and engage in conversations on different issues, as well as to participate in various service learning opportunities.

Regional Students

A typical week blends a four and a half-day internship with program-specific activities and workshops. For 36 hours per week students go to their internship where they gain work experience and acquire knowledge, skills, and abilities that will benefit them in their future careers.

Students participate in conference calls and webinar style workshops that cover a variety of topics including how to create a federal resume and how to get a job in the federal government.

Internship Sites

Agencies and Sample Internship Sites

The Washington Center works with several government agencies to provide internships for undergraduate and graduate students. Positions are available at a number of agencies each term, which have included (but are not limited to):

• Federal Aviation Administration
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• National Archives and Records Administration
• and more!

Sample Internship Descriptions

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Herbert Hoover Presidential Library

Internship Description: The internship offers real world museum experience to students interested in pursuing a career within the field. We assign a variety of collections and exhibits related projects to our interns.  The intern's project would be assisting with inventory through storage organization and reconfiguration. The intern will learn about the proper procedures for inventory and storage conditions; condition reporting, how to handle objects, museum terminology, storage techniques, micro-environments, object material sensitivity, and museum database skills (through data entry and object photography).

Specific expectations:

• Interest in working with museum collections
• Intern should be detail oriented, organized, and able to work independently
• Intern must be able to work as a team and accept constructive criticism
• Average or above average level of computer literacy (skills in Photoshop, Illustrator, Word, Excel, Access, and a collection database would be an advantage)

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Washington-Dulles International Airport

Internship Description: The internship offers a hands-on experience to students who are interested in the aviation management career field. Students will have the opportunity to witness airport operations, including those from a flight tower and air-traffic control operations, while lending support where required.

Specific expectations:

• Provide administrative support for the air traffic control operation at the FAA Control Tower at Washington-Dulles International Airport
• Assist in the preparation of audio visual presentations
• Receive visitors and conduct facility tours
• Prepare data for analysis
• Compile reports

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

VA Medical Center

Internship Description: The internship offers a practical healthcare-related experience to students who are interested in both long-term rehabilitative care and support to veterans who have been wounded in the line of duty. Specifically, the intern will speak to veterans groups and clinicians educating on prosthetic programs; write standard of operations for clothing allowance and auto adaptive; update position descriptions for prosthetic positions; and work with and attend meetings of prosthetic committees (Major Medical, Home Oxygen, HISA).

Specific expectations:

• Average or above average level of computer literacy
• Some knowledge of prosthetics
• Experienced in communications

Locations

Federal agency internship sites are in D.C. and several regional locations throughout the United States. Regional locations vary by term, but past students have interned in the following states: California, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Michigan, Washington, Georgia, and Missouri. Students will be contacted if they are being considered for a regional placement.

Scholarships/Stipends

Students who are selected for a placement will receive a stipend from The Washington Center twice each month. There are no program and housing fees associated with the Competitive Government Program. Housing is available to all students who would like to take advantage of The Washington Center's fully furnished, conveniently located apartments. If a student wishes to find alternative accommodations, his or her stipend will be increased.

Choosing the Right Program

Is the Competitive Government Program right for you?

If you attend a college or university affiliated with TWC, applying to the Competitive Government Program is probably not the best way for you to participate in The Washington Center--even if you are interested in completing an internship with a federal agency and would like to receive some scholarship support. In fact, most Washington Center students interning in the government are participating in our general D.C. Internship Program.

A few things to note before starting your Competitive Government Program application:

1. Students who apply to the D.C. General Internship Program will be considered for any funded federal positions for which they may qualify. They will also be considered for unpaid positions within the government and/or other sectors. Some very popular government offices (U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of the Interior, White House, U.S. Congress, and others) do not currently offer internships through the Competitive Government Program, but they have worked with other TWC interns regularly.
   
   
2. If you attend an affiliated institution, you may find that arrangements are in place to make participation in the general D.C. Internship Program comparable to a semester or summer on campus (in terms of the credit you'll earn and the cost of attendance). TWC also has a variety of scholarships available. Should you be offered a Competitive Government Program position, the same credit package may not be available (because the components of the program may vary). Further, some positions are regionally based.
   
   
3. Applying for the Competitive Government Program will by no means guarantee that you'll receive an interview or internship position. By contrast, you will have an advisor working on your behalf to find an internship that will match your interests if you apply through the general D.C. Internship Program. He or she will continue referring your materials to possible organizations until you've accepted an offer.
   
   
4. We receive Competitive Government Program applications from many more students than we are able to place each year. Most openings call for interns who are pursuing majors in STEM, communications, or business-related fields. Agencies often require a 3.0 GPA (or higher), and some request students from certain types of institutions (historically black colleges and universities, minority serving institutions, etc.).
   
   
5. You may not hear from TWC about your application to the Competitive Government Program in a timely manner, as we may be asked to forward candidates' applications to supervisors at federal agencies until the start of a given semester or term (and sometimes even later). You would not be able to decide to do the Washington, D.C. General Program after learning that you are not selected for the Competitive Government Program.

Washington, D.C. Internship Program Resources

• Sample Internship Sites [6]
• Career-Specific Programming [48]
• Scholarships for U.S. Students [156]

Eligibility and Application

Eligibility

• United States citizenship required;
• Applicants must be enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, an undergraduate or graduate program. Additionally, candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or above;
• Undergraduate students from affiliated universities must receive approval from their campus liaison [157] in order to participate;
• Undergraduate students from non-affiliated universities must seek approval from their campus if they would like to receive academic credit;
• Candidates should be available for the full term of the internship [97], which will likely reflect TWC’s standard program dates. It is important to note that in some cases, Competitive Government internships will have different start/end dates than those outlined. Individuals who receive such an offer will have specific expectations outlined;
• Students should have demonstrated experience and/or strong interest in working for the federal government.

Academic Credit

Undergraduate students applying to the Competitive Government Program during the fall and spring semesters will be required to earn academic credit. Those applying for the summer term will typically have the opportunity to decide whether or not they would like to earn credit should they receive and accept an offer.

Application Requirements

All students who apply to TWC’s Washington, D.C., Internship Program will also be eligible for internship positions within the Competitive Government Program. If students are only interested in being considered for federal government internships that offer financial assistance, a separate application only for Competitive Government Programs should be used. In order to be eligible for this option, students must submit an online application [158].

Once a username and password have been created, students should log into the system and choose “Internship” as the type of application. Under “Washington Center Program Options” students should select the Competitive Government Program. Applicants are encouraged to select more than one agency when asked to indicate their specific interests, as many agencies will have similar positions available. Students must also submit official transcripts to The Washington Center.

There is no application fee required for students applying under the Competitive Government Program option. Please contact Reid May (reid.may@twc.edu [155]) or 202-238-7702 with any specific questions about the Competitive Government Program.

The Internship Experience

A typical week blends a four day internship with program-specific rigorous academics every week. From Tuesday through Friday, they go to their internship placements where they gain work experience and acquire skills, abilities and attitudes that will benefit them in their future careers. They also register to attend one course a week through The Washington Center during their semester.

Mondays are dedicated to tours, lectures or other activities where they meet with distinguished leaders with diverse professional backgrounds. There, students engage in substantive discussions from different topics of international relevance as well as issues affecting Puerto Rico. Participants will visit organizations that offer unique opportunities to learn from global influencers such as:

• World Bank
• Organization of American States
• U.S. Supreme Court
• The Capitol
• The Pentagon
• Library of Congress
• The Newseum

Conferences also play a large role in the academic structure of the program. Throughout the semester students may participate in meetings taking place in Washington, D.C., that may focus on:

• Communication and Negotiation Skills
• Human Rights
• Immigration Policy
• U.S.-Puerto Rico Relations
• Education
• Transparency and Accountability
• Free Trade Agreements in Latin America
• Environmental issues

Students are encouraged to attend additional events on their own throughout the week to practice networking skills and engage in deep conversations on different issues with other professionals in the Washington, D.C. area. They also must work as part of teams in order to complete a civic engagement project by identifying a problem that affects the local community and engaging in creating a positive impact.

Sample Internship Sites

Intern on Capitol Hill

Because the focus of the Córdova Program is the U.S. Congress and its work, students are placed only in congressional offices of either chamber, in the Puerto Rican Federal Affairs Administration, or at Telemundo or Univison. Some of the places interns have worked before include:

• The Office of the Resident Commissioner
• Rep. José Serrano
• Rep. Nydia Velazquez and the Small Business Committee
• Rep. Xavier Becerra
• Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
• Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart
• Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi
• Senator Harry Reid
• Senator John Kerry
• Senator Robert Menendez
• Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration
• Telemundo
• Univision

How to Apply

Students interested in this program must first apply through the Joint Commission of the Córdova Congressional Internship Program. If you apply to our program without first having been accepted by the Joint Commission your application will not be processed. For information about the selection process for this program, contact Cynthia Torres with the Córdova Program Office [160] in San Juan at 787-977-4725 or through internado.cordova@gmail.com [161].

The Internship Experience

Program Components

• Full time externship for 10–15 weeks at a government agency or nonprofit organization (10 weeks for summer, 15 weeks for fall/spring).
• Courses taught by qualified adjunct professors in Washington, D.C.
• Programming in a Legal Externship Seminar that includes site visits, distinguished guest speakers, briefings and other activities of special interest.

Academic Credit and Fees

• Students register, receive credit and pay tuition to their home law school and the law school will remit a fee to The Washington Center for the program fee. Students choosing to live in Washington Center housing are responsible for a housing fee.
• The substantive law classes will be taught by adjunct faculty that The Washington Center will hire and Elon will supervise.

Housing

Housing is guaranteed to all students who choose to take advantage of this option for an additional fee. Check out our state of the art housing facilities [167].

“…Hands down best decision I have made in law school. I was allowed to improve my workplace skills and network without the burden of school. It was great and amazing being in D.C. as well. I intend to return after I graduate.”

—Kaye Lynch-Sparks

3L, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

Additional Information

• Read our brochure for U.S. students [164]
• Read our brochure for Canadian students [165]
• Download the application [166]

Sample Externship Sites

• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of Justice
• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Department of Transportation
• U.S. Marine Corps Counsel for the Commandment
• Securities and Exchange Commission
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Federal Communications Commission
• Federal Trade Commission
• Grameen Foundation
• Public Defender Service
• United States Green Building Council
• Humane Society
• Human Rights First
• National Endowment for the Arts
• SEIU – Service Employees International Union
• Various Capitol Hill committees and offices

Additional Information

• Read our brochure for U.S. students [164]
• Read our brochure for Canadian students [165]
• Download the application [166]

How to Apply

Program Benefits

• Start applying your legal education in a professional environment
• Gain great credentials
• Explore careers and forge valuable connections in Washington, D.C.
• Apply your ideas and initiative to pressing regional, national and international problems
• Earn 12–15 credit hours through your law school during the fall/spring or 6–9 credit hours during the summer

Additional Information

• Read our brochure for U.S. students [164]
• Read our brochure for Canadian students [165]
• Download the application [166]

The Internship Experience

Estudiar en Washington A typical week blends a four-day-per-week internship with program-specific rigorous academics. Coursework forms the core of TWC’s learning initiatives; Governors Internship participants attend two evening courses each week. One course focuses on a project to aid the development and well-being of their home state; the other is tailored to increasing their knowledge in a specific area of interest.

Beyond regular courses, Mondays are dedicated to tours, lectures or other activities where students with distinguished leaders with diverse professional backgrounds; there they engage in substantive discussions from different topics of international relevance. Participants will visit organizations offer unique opportunities to tour and learn from leaders in influential organizations such as:

• World Bank
• International Monetary Fund
• Organization of American States
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Capitol
• Pentagon
• Library of Congress
• Newseum

Conferences also play a large role in the academic structure of the program. Throughout the semester students may participate in meetings taking place in Washington, D.C., that may focus on:

• Communication and Negotiation Skills
• Human Rights, Immigration Policy or U.S.-Mexico Relations
• Transparency and Accountability
• Entrepreneurship or Free Trade Agreements in Latin America
• Environmental Issues
• Drug Trafficking

Experiential Learning From Tuesday through Friday they go to their internship placements [169] where they gain work experience and acquire skills, abilities and attitudes that will benefit them in their future careers. Moreover, a variety of additional opportunities enrich The Washington Center experience:

• Additional events on their own throughout the week around Washington, D.C.
• Practice networking skill and engage in deep conversations on different issues with fellow students, faculty, or internship site mentors.
• Join a civic engagement project over the weekends.

Sample Internship Sites

Each semester there are many different internship sites available to choose from. Some of the organizations where Governors Internship Program participants have worked include:

• U.S. House of Representatives
• U.S. Senate
• Inter-American Culture and Development Foundation
• Organization of American States (OAS)
• Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)
• U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce
• Cesar Chavez Public Charter School or Public Policy
• North American Association for Environmental Education
• Global Centurion
• In Trust Global Investments, LLC
• Election Mall Technologies Inc.
• CG/LA Infrastructure, LLC
• The Woodward Wilson Center
• National Hispanic Council on Aging
• Latino Leaders Network
• Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
• Partners of the Americas
• National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators
• U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)

The Internship Experience

In light of the current economic climate and the increased governmental regulation of the United States economy, this program exposes students to the financial role of the private, nonprofit, and government sectors in the U.S. capital. Students in this program will return to their countries equipped with the skills and motivation to make a real impact as civically engaged, socially aware, business conscious citizens.

Through the Prudential Foundation Global Citizens Program, students will:

• Gain an in-depth understanding of the financial roles of the government, private, and nonprofit sectors in the United States and how U.S. public policy affects business decision-making in the context of a global economy.
• Develop critical skills, including cross-cultural understanding, communication, and leadership skills to prepare them to succeed in an increasingly global 21st century workforce.
• Learn the importance of civic engagement and be prepared to make lasting impacts in their communities as young leaders.
• Develop their own networks of professional contacts and mentors who will continue to serve as a resource for personal and professional development after they return home.

From Tuesday through Friday students go to their internship sites, where they gain work experience and acquire skills, abilities and attitudes that will benefit them in their future careers.

Students in the Prudential program attend a class one night of the week. Beyond regular courses, Mondays are dedicated to lectures, workshops, or other activities where they meet with distinguished leaders and business professionals with diverse professional backgrounds. There they engage in substantive discussions from different topics in business of international relevance. Students will visit organizations that offer unique opportunities to learn from global influencers such as:

• Private Organizations
• Various Embassies
• Think Tanks
• U.S. Government Agencies

Conferences and workshops also play a large role in the academic structure of the program. Throughout the semester students may participate in meetings taking place in Washington, D.C., that may focus on:

• Communication and Negotiation Skills
• Professionalism
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Entrepreneurship
• Transparency and Accountability
• Free Trade Agreements in Finance and Economics
• Networking

Sample Internship Sites

Each semester there are many different internship sites that are available to qualified students. Some of the organizations where Prudential fellows have interned include:

• AGCO
• Amber Road
• American Councils for International Education
• Bennett Group Financial Services, LLC
• Brookings Institution
• CATO Institute
• Council on Hemispheric Affairs
• Embassy of the Republic of Korea
• FDL Financial Services
• Hudson Institute
• Institute of International Education
• Inter-American Culture and Development Foundation
• InTrust Global Investments
• LTL Strategies
• ManattJones Global Strategies
• Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation
• Office of the Attorney General
• TechAmerica
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce-Business Civic Leadership Center
• U.S. Small Business Administration
• U.S.-Japan Council
• Voice of America

How to Apply

Banner Image: 

Prudential-Foundation-Global-Citizens-V2.jpg [171]

Scholarship Coverage

Students accepted into the Prudential Foundation Global Citizens Program, through a rigorous selection process, will receive a scholarship which covers most expenses including: application fee, program and housing fees, J-1 Visa SEVIS fee, health insurance, and an airfare allowance (Total scholarship value above $13,000 USD).

To Apply

Candidates interested in the Prudential Foundation Global Citizens Program must consult with their campus liaison and fill out the Prudential Foundation Global Citizens Program Application (http://bit.ly/PrudentialApplication [172]) by April 12, 2013.

** Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an initial interview. In order to move forward in the selection process, applicants that successfully pass the initial interview will be asked to complete the comprehensive Washington Center online application that includes the following documents:

• One-page Resume
• Statement of Professional Interest
• 500-word Issues Essay to be used as a writing sample
• Two Letters of Recommendation
• Copy of Official Academic Transcript
• Copy of Official English Competency Test (i.e. TOEFL)
• Copy of Passport

The Fall 2013 Program begins on August 28 and ends on December 14, 2013.

For more information please take a look at our call for applications [173] and informational handout [174]. For questions, please feel free to contact internationalinfo@twc.edu [67].

The Internship Experience

U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative

Check out this blog written by one of our international interns, Dina [177].

Check out this video from one of our international interns, Fallow Bwatu.

Check out this video from Querétaro

Sample Internship Sites

U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative

• Organization of American States
• World Resources Institute
• D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development
• Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Amazon Conservation Team
• Rural Coalition
• InterAction

How to Apply

U.S.-Panama Innovation & Competitiveness Initiative

Eligibilty

• Must be a Panamanian citizen and have a valid passport.
• Must have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate studies or be currently enrolled in a masters or post graduate program.
• Must maintain a minimum grade point average of 91/100.
• Must present current academic transcript.
• Successful completion of an accredited standardized English test [i.e. TOEFL  (Minimum  score of 500 (Paper Based)); IELTS or equivalent].
• Complete all of The Washington Center application components.
• As part of the application, an essay containing a proposal for an Innovative Project must be written (3 pages minimum). Themes for this essay may be selected from: International Trade;  Import and Export Compliance; Commercialization of Technological Products; Innovation; Transparency; Regional Sustainable Development; Research and Development Policies; Copyrights and Patents; Scientific Journalism; Improvement to Panama's competitiveness in different sectors: (i.e. Agro industries; Logistics and Transportation; Bioscience and Healthcare; Sustainable Tourism; Technology; STEM Education; Environmental Law or Renewable Energy).

How to Apply

1. Speak with you campus liaison or email us [178].
2. Visit the portal [96] to begin an internship application.
3. Send supplemental documents (below).

Application Components

• Motivational Letter*
• Resume*
• Two letters of recommendation*
• Copy of official identifications
• Copy of valid Panamanian passport
• Letter of Endorsement from the University
• Official copy of professional degrees and current academic transcript
• Official copy of accredited standardized English test results [i.e. TOEFL  (Minimum  score of 500 (Paper Based)); IELTS or equivalent].
• Essay of preliminary project plan (described in Eligibility Requirements)

* These documents should be presented in English

Download our program overview for more information [176]

The Internship Experience

During a week Ford Global Scholars spend four days at their internship organization and participate on program-specific events on Mondays.  Once a week Ford Global Scholars attend an interactive course on U.N. Millennium Development Goals specifically designed to cover all aspects of the initiative’s progress and challenges.  In the past, some of the projects Ford Global Scholars worked on included a DVD project to highlight MDG developments in their countries, and a white paper, in which Ford Fellows were given a topic and had to develop unique solutions and ways to implement the solution into practice.

In addition to the academic course, Ford Global Scholars have a chance to learn from over 30 distinguished speakers engaged in various public and private international organizations based in Washington, D.C.  During these events Ford Global Scholars share their opinions and take part in interactive discussions covering various topics related to international development, health care, education, gender equality and global poverty.  Ford Global Scholars will visit major international and government organizations, including:

• United Nations
• World Bank
• Inter-American Development Bank
• International Trade Administration
• Bread for the World
• ONE
• Amnesty International
• United Way of America
• Grameen Foundation

In the latter half of their semester, Ford Global Scholars will take part in Model U.N. Simulation.

Sample Internship Sites

How to Apply

Eligibility

This program is available to 20 U.S. students and 10 students attending institutions in the following international locations:

• Chennai, India
• Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Sao Paulo and Salvador, Brazil
• Shanghai, China
• Johannesburg, South Africa

U.S. students accepted into this program will receive a $3,000 scholarship toward housing in TWC apartments. International students coming from institutions in the countries listed above should review the additional financial details [181].

Students will be required to take a specific academic course tailored to this program.

The Ford Motor Company Global Scholars Program will be offered each fall semester for three years, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

How to Apply

U.S. students who are interested in the Ford Motor Company Global Scholars Program along with other fall semester 2012 TWC internship programs should complete our online application [96]. Until final decisions are made with regard to the Ford Global Scholars Program, we will accept students into their second-choice program (International Affairs, Business and Global Trade, etc.).

International students who are interested in this program should complete the downloadable Ford application [182].

The fall 2013 regular deadline is June 14th, and students should apply and indicate their interest in this program on or before that date.