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.
