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The Washington Center offers an unparalleled learning experience in the areas of business, management, trade, public policy, advocacy, arts, sustainable development, international affairs, law and criminal justice, media and communications, political leadership, science and information technology.

You’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need to become a young leader in your community and your country. Through this experience, you’ll develop professional skills and apply academic learning to the real world of work, clarify your personal goals, investigate career opportunities, and prepare for the professional life while living in another country and studying with people from all over the world.

During the semester you will complete the following components:

InternshipYou will work four or four-and-a-half days each week in a substantive position tailored to your interests. Internships are available in private companies, some government agencies, nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations. The type of work will depend on your placement and your qualifications, but the experience will be valuable and meaningful. You could conduct research, write a business plan, host international visitors, organize conferences, assist in news broadcasts, or anything else you’d expect from entry-level professionals.
An Academic CourseAcademic coursework extends your on-campus learning, complements your internship, and may help you earn credit from your university. With more than 35 courses on offer, you’ll be able to select the one that is most aligned with your interest and career. Led by highly qualified faculty who are dedicated professors from local universities and experts in their field, classes are grounded in traditional disciplines, yet taught within the context of the wide array of resources available in Washington, D.C.
The Leadership ForumThe Leadership Forum is a structured set of activities that enriches your experience in Washington, D.C. It helps you understand leadership and the opportunity you have to contribute to your community locally, nationally, and internationally. You will hear and engage with distinguished speakers, including cabinet members, ambassadors, journalists, members of Congress, and others. You will also be introduced to current public policy debates and the organizations and people who shape them. Other components of the Leadership Forum are the portfolio of documents that you will complete during the semester and the civic engagement project.