Intern Abroad Program
International Internships in London
Living and working overseas is an experience unlike any other. With an international internship you can explore the world as you practice an exciting new career. Enrich your studies, bolster your résumé and build connections that will open doors for the rest of your life.
The Internship Abroad Experience
Learn about the three components of our intern abroad program: the internship, the academic course and the academic seminar and workshop.
Learn more [2]
Housing
Find out how you can share apartment with other interns in London, England, all of the opportunities you will have learn beyond the internship and classroom and the support you will have from our Student Services staff.
Learn more [3]
Eligibility & Application
Understand which of our academic internship programs you are eligible to participate in, how you can apply to our programs online and what documents you will need.
Learn more [4]
Dates & Deadlines
Check out our application deadlines and how long the programs typically last.
Learn more [5]
Program Costs & Scholarships
Understand how much our programs cost and what scholarships you may be eligible for.
Learn more [6]
The Intern Abroad Experience
Want to go abroad? Learn about and experience the excitement of another country? Get the kind of international work experience that’s increasingly prized in today’s global economy? The Washington Center offers spring, summer and fall programs in London: Europe’s largest city, a business, financial and cultural center; and a major global crossroads.
The Intern Abroad program is structured much the same as The Washington Center’s D.C.-based programs, but with some differences to help you make the most of your time overseas. To create a solid foundation for your international experience, you’ll first attend a 10-day academic seminar in Washington, D.C. Once you’re abroad, you’ll complete the necessary coursework and attend weekly meetings of the Learning Through Internships workshop series. All students participate in the same program. Students interning abroad gain academic credit from their home institutions, just as they would in D.C.
Included in Each Program
- 10-day pre-departure seminar in Washington, D.C.
- 2½-day-a-week tailored internship
- Academic courses
- Programming that encompasses site visits, guest speakers, events, group travel and more
Additional Resources
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 [11]
- The Placement Process [12]
Sample Internship Sites
Sample Internship Sites
* Please note that The Washington Center cannot guarantee the availability of any particular placement.
Additional Resources
The Placement Process
The Intern Abroad placement process differs from that of our programs in Washington, D.C. Once you have committed to the program, your application materials will be sent to the internship placement team abroad.
Your application will then be reviewed to determine which internship might be the best fit for you. Your Statement of Professional Interest will be of particular importance at this stage of the process.
Placement information will be provided during the seminar in Washington, D.C. Though some students may have phone interviews before the seminar begins, this is rare. The placements in London are not paid positions, as the student visa that you must obtain in order to participate in the program prohibits students from working for wages.
Additional Resources
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 [14] 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
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.
Housing
Housing is guaranteed for both your time in Washington, D.C., and abroad. The Washington Center has apartments at the Residential and Academic Facility in NoMa in Washington, D.C., and at the Residential Facility at Solaire in Silver Spring, Maryland. All are conveniently located near the Metro, shopping and nightlife. The housing abroad will be arranged by TWC’s partners in London and may either be shared dorm rooms or apartments. Housing is guaranteed but specific assignments for the Washington, D.C. portion of the program will be sent out two to four weeks before the program begins. Housing assignments for abroad will be given out during the seminar.
To confirm your housing, please refer to your acceptance letter for instructions.
Check-in to the housing in Washington, D.C., is generally between 10am-6pm on the first day of the program. If you are to arrive after the scheduled check-in date and time, you must submit a completed Late Arrival Form [15].
What’s Included
Bedding, furnishings and kitchen wares will be included in both D.C. and abroad. Towels will not be provided in the housing abroad, so you should plan to pack one or two light-weight towels. Some clothing hangers will be available in the housing abroad. You’re encouraged to avoid packing these as they can be cheaply purchased and are difficult to fit into luggage.
Eligibility & Application
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
- Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
- Be a second-semester sophomore or higher. Graduate students can be considered.
- Receive credit from your college or university for participating in our program. Unfortunately, recent graduates are not eligible to apply.
- Have liaison/campus sponsor approval.
Step 2: Complete the Online Application Form Use only the online application [17] to apply for the D.C.-London Program. Please note that the required information and documentation for the D.C.-London Program differs from our Washington, D.C. Program. The information below outlines exactly what will be needed.
The following documents are required as part of the online application (guidelines for each are provided within the application):
- Resume: Submit a one-page resume that highlights your professional and academic achievements. If you are unsure about what to include, please seek the advice of your campus career center.
- Cover Letter: Include a cover letter that explains why you are a good candidate for this program. Elaborate on the skills and achievements that are mentioned in your resume. It should not be addressed to The Washington Center as it will be sent out to prospective internship sites.
- Statement of Professional Interest: In approximately 200 words, describe the types of responsibilities that you would like to be given during your internship experience. You should also relate these to your overall career goals. Please do not mention any particular organization by name, as your materials will be sent to several prospective internship sites.
Step 3: Send Supporting DocumentsSeveral documents must be mailed to The Washington Center in order to complete the application process. These include:
- Official Transcript*
- Basic police report (ask your local police station to run your name through their database and print the results or include them in a letter)
- Two passport-sized photos* (Please do not send a photo copy of your passport or other ID)
- CAPA Release (this is a sheet outlining the policies of our partners abroad, found within the online application; only the student signature is needed)
- Two letters of recommendation (if electronic recommendation method is not used)
*Students traveling to the U.K. will need an additional passport photo for their student visa application. Students should keep the extra copy until they are provided with details on obtaining the student visa.
Dates & Deadlines
| 2013 Term | Application Deadline | Check-in: Seminar | Check-out: Seminar | Check-in: Abroad | Check-out: Abroad |
|
London |
Deadline has passed - no longer accepting applications. |
Sunday, May 12 |
Friday, May 24 |
Saturday, |
Sunday, July 21 |
| London Fall Semester |
Friday, May 3 | Tuesday, August 6 | Sunday, August 18 | Monday, August 19 | Sunday, November 17 |
Program Costs & Scholarships
Although The Washington Center charges a program fee and a housing fee for the D.C.-London Program, the more relevant consideration is your “net” cost of attendance (the total you will owe your institution and/or TWC). You may find that a semester or summer abroad through TWC is comparable in cost to what you’d pay for the same term on campus. To get a better idea of what you might pay, please feel free to download our London budgets or complete our Financial Aid Inquiry Form.
Follow these steps to better understand how much it will cost for you to take advantage of The Washington Center experience:
- Confirm your institution’s financial arrangement by speaking with your campus liaison and/or by contacting TWC. Many affiliated institutions ensure that their students do not pay tuition on campus and TWC fees, but arrangements vary at each institution.
- Explore whether your regular financial aid package can be applied toward TWC costs (or adjusted to account for any increased cost of attendance) and whether additional support is available at your college or university.
- Review TWC awards listed online or contact us for more information. Many U.S. students receive financial support through a state grant or private scholarship to help offset their cost of participation. There are awards for civic engagement, professional achievement, diversity, and membership in honors programs or societies, among many others. Unfortunately, most state-based TWC scholarships cannot be applied to the cost of this intern abroad opportunity.
- Apply. Your total cost may be impossible to determine until well after you are accepted.
Program Fees
Program Fees: London 2013
Semester and Summer Term Programs
| Term | Program Fee |
Housing Fee |
|
Spring |
$8,100 |
$4,995 |
|
Summer |
$6,995 |
$3,985 |
|
Fall |
$8,100 |
$4,995 |
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 [18]
- Summer 2013 [19]
- Fall 2013 [20]
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 [21] 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 [22]. 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 [23] 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 [24]. 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 [25]or university [26] 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
| If you notify TWC of cancellation | Cancellation Fee |
| More than 60 days prior to D.C. check-in | $250 cancellation fee and housing charges (if applicable) |
| 46 to 60 days prior to D.C. check-in | $250 plus 25% of the total cost of the program and housing deposit charges (if applicable) |
| 22 to 45 days prior to D.C. check-in | $250 plus 50% of the total cost of the program and housing deposit charges (if applicable) |
| 21 days or fewer prior to D.C. check-in | Total cost of the program is due and housing deposit charges (if applicable) |
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 [28]. 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 [29]. No cancellations will be taken by phone or in person by a member of TWC staff.
