International Governments
The Washington Center is a large and influential organization in the field of experiential education. TWC works closely with governments of countries around the world to prepare students and professionals to become active and engaged leaders in their societies.
Participants sponsored by our international partners usually return to their own country and start immediately contributing to the public, private and nonprofit sectors. These relationships are formed at national, state and provincial levels.
Over the last decade, TWC has built special relationships with a number of countries and local provinces. Each relationship is built around the unique needs and opportunities for the people in that country.
Canada
Over 500 students from four provinces, Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick have received provincial funding to attend our programs since 1996. Funding comes from either the provincial government or through the students’ universities. TWC is currently working with two additional provinces to offer scholarship opportunities to more Canadian students.
Mexico
More than 1,000 students and young professionals from most of the Mexican states have attended the Governors Internship Program [2]. This program is designed to provide future leaders from across the country professional and academic training in areas related to the economic and social development of their communities. Participants develop a project that impacts and improves the well-being of their regions, by attracting investment or by representing a product or an industry. These projects are presented to the state governor upon the participants’ return to Mexico.
Further examples of TWC’s work with Mexico can be found here [3].
South Korea
In 2004 and 2005, TWC received government support from South Korea’s Human Resources Development Service, under the Ministry Of Labor, which sponsored over 120 students to attend TWC’s programs. These students and young professionals returned to South Korea to finish their university degrees and afterwards entered the workforce. Many of them are now working for the government, public and the private sectors in South Korea.
Kazakhstan
In late 2009, TWC organized a seven-day study tour of the American health care system for a delegation of high-level politicians and health care officials from Kazakhstan. The seminar was financially supported by the World Bank. The goal of the study tour was to provide a summary of the organization and financing of the American health care system. Participants visited federal offices including the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), and the National Institute of Health (NIH). They also traveled to Minnesota to visit the Mayo Clinic, Medtronic Inc. and had a private meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota Carol Molnau.
The Washington Center Stands Apart
Founded more than 35 years ago, The Washington Center has distinguished its experiential education programs and seminars by instilling in our participants the three pillars upon which our institution was founded: civic engagement, professional development and leadership. These principles are incorporated in the pursuit of excellence in public service combined with academic and professional exposure and meaningful civic discourse.
The Washington Center is a unique and valuable partner for foreign governments, offering a rare opportunity for those governments to extend their reach into the capital of the United States of America. Participants come to understand how Washington works from the inside, learning directly from public policy makers, governors, members of Congress and leaders of the private, nongovernmental sector. Governments partner with TWC to train future leaders and to improve current leaders’ skills and understanding in areas of public service, best business practices and public policy design and reform.
TWC’s leadership in experiential education derives from its extensive network of alumni, affiliated colleges and universities, and partnerships with private, public and nonprofit organizations. This extraordinary learning opportunity has an impact on people across all sectors and levels of experience:
- Civic, educational, and business professionals are enabled to help shape and influence the next generation of leaders.
- Colleges and universities can extend their reach beyond their core programs and geography.
- Professional organizations can connect with a new generation of talent.
- Students have the chance to transform their careers and lives through a unique experience.
- Alumni are able to collaborate with our various partners to help change the world.
Key Facts About The Washington Center
Since 1975, The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars has been providing an integrated academic and work experience to prepare college students and professionals for lives of achievement and civic engagement. It is the largest and most influential organization of this kind.
- The Washington Center began developing partnerships with the international governmental sector in 1999, starting with the State of Tabasco in Mexico. Since then more than 1,000 students and young professionals have participated in our programs sponsored by a government agency around the world.
- Last year, The Washington Center hosted more than 2,000 students from hundreds of affiliated colleges and universities in the U.S. and other countries.
- The Washington Center has 70 full-time staff working to ensure that all our students have a transformational experience while here.
- TWC boasts more than 50,000 alumni, many of whom are in leadership positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in the United States and around the world.
- In 2009, 45 students from Canada participated in The Washington Center’s internship and seminar programs, including students from Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick. The majority of these students received financial assistance from their provincial governments.
- In 2009, approximately 100 students from Mexico participated in The Washington Center’s Governors Internship Program. The participation of all these students was made possible with funding from their respective state governors and Mexico’s Association of Ministers of Economic Development.
- In 2004 and 2005 TWC received government support from Korea’s Human Resources Development Service, under the Ministry Of Labor. Over 120 students were sponsored to attend TWC programs at that time.
- In the last 10 years, TWC has conducted over 50 theme-specific seminars for over 1,000 government officials and professionals from around the world.
Working with The Washington Center
The Washington Center offers several opportunities for governments to invest in their students, professionals and societies. Participants in these programs not only learn the way Washington, D.C., works from the inside, they also have the opportunity to interact with key decision makers in their individual fields of interest.
Internships
Undergraduate and graduate students can take part in a semester-long internship in Washington, D.C. The program is a rigorous blend of academics and work experience, and students may receive academic credit from their home institutions. The Washington Center establishes relationships with colleges and universities around the world to facilitate students’ participation in the program.
Academic Seminars
Each year, TWC hosts several academic seminars revolving around the inner workings of Washington or major issues being discussed on the world stage. Custom programming is also available for groups from around the world. TWC has conducted over 50 theme-specific seminars for over 1,000 government officials and professionals in the past 10 years. Past seminars have included topics such as health care reform, telecommunications, education system reform, how Washington, D.C., works, best business practices, and public policy in Washington D.C. All this was done in partnership with our international Government partners.
Customized Training Opportunities
Over the last several years TWC organized leadership training programs and sector-specific seminars for participants from more than 10 countries. Thirty-five years of experience managing long-term programs and short-term seminars has made TWC the ideal partner for academic and experiential learning programs.
TWC tailors its services and arrangements to fit the specific needs and ideas of each country. Please contact us to discuss what your interests and needs are. Together, we will design a tailored proposal that is right for you. To learn more, contact internationalinfo@twc.edu [5].
Case Study: Mexico
- Welcoming Mexican students come to Washington, D.C., for the regular internship programs.
- Offering Mexican Government funding for participants in the Governors Internship Program.
- Organizing special seminars and agendas.
Mexican Universities
The Washington Center has strong relationships with the most prestigious privates and public universities in Mexico. More than 1,000 young professionals that have come to TWC’s programs have found exceptional jobs after they returned to Mexico. Affiliates include:
- Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, commonly known as Tecnológico de Monterrey
- Universidad de las Américas, Puebla
- Universidad del Mayab, Mérida
- Universidad Iberoamericana, Puebla
- Universidad Anahuac, North Campus
- Universidad Iberoamericana, Mexico City
Most students attending our programs from these universities receive academic credits for their semester in Washington, D.C.
“My experience in Washington, D.C., has contributed to the better development of my leadership skills. I am a Mexican citizen, but above all, I am a citizen of the world, and as such, it is my responsibility to get involved and adopt an active role within the international community. I am sure that I will be able to take advantage of these skills when I come back to my country, and hence contribute to its better development, and to the project of a better world for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Georgina de la Fuente
TWC Spring ’08
Montererrey Tec
Governors Internship Program
For more than 10 years, the Governors Program [6] has been preparing future leaders from Mexico to face the complex challenges of the twenty-first century. Currently, many Mexican governors provide full funding to students and young professionals competitively selected by each state government.
These participants come to The Washington Center to obtain professional and academic training in areas related to the economic and social development of their state and their communities. The program combines a four day per week internship with a full day of activities allowing participants to enrich their knowledge and gain cultural and social experiences. During the semester, participants develop a project that impacts and improves the well-being of their regions by attracting investment or by representing a product or an industry. When they complete the program and return to Mexico, projects are presented to their state governor.
To date, most of Mexico’s state governments have supported the program. Examples of participating states are Coahuila, Sonora, Campeche, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Morelos, Tamaulipas, Yucatán, Jalisco, Michoacán, Quintana Roo, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato and Nuevo León.
“I consider myself very lucky to be part of this experience; Now I will have the chance to apply what I learned here, back in the public service in Coahuila. I’m positive that this experience will help me to become a better servant to the people and to climb high in my political career but also to contribute to the government projects and benefit society as a whole.”
Julio Cesar Torres
TWC Fall ’09
Gobierno del Estado de Coahuila
Academic Seminars
After more than 10 years of working with Mexican public servants from all three levels of government (federal, state and municipal), The Washington Center has solid experience training Mexican professional politicians through customized seminars. TWC provides three-day seminars on many issues.
