Spend a semester or summer in our nation’s capital! Washington, D.C. is a vibrant, exciting, cosmopolitan city where people are always on the go and there is always something happening. Washington D.C. is an easy city to get around by metro, bus, bike, or walking! Each quarter of the city - NW, NE, SE, SW - has its own personality, feel, and offerings to explore, with the Capitol right at the heart of the city. Take in the monuments, stroll down the National Mall, visit the many free Smithsonian museums, catch a show at the Kennedy Center, and experience the culture of D.C. You’re semester or summer in D.C. will be filled with politics, media and journalism, the arts, culture, and friends and memories that will last a lifetime.
In addition to the experience of living in a new city, are you looking for the opportunity to find your passion and define your career path?
The Washington Center’s Academic Internship Program is an intensive professional and academic experience in which students live, work, and study in Washington, D.C. Our nation’s capital offers students of all majors and interests opportunities to have transformative internship experiences. D.C. is an international hub and full of businesses and nonprofit organizations, in addition to being the center of government, politics, and policy. This makes D.C. the perfect atmosphere to explore the interconnectedness of diverse fields and have the opportunity to gain experience working in one of the most important and high-profile cities in the country.
Program Components
Internship
You'll work full time Monday through Thursday at your internship so you're on the job enough to do real meaningful work and feel like part of the team. Before you get here, TWC willl help you sort through internship options and connect you with the ones that best fit your interests, skills and professional goals. When internship offers come in (yes, you might get more than one), you choose the one that's right for you. TWC works with more than 600 intern host partners, so you’ll have a range of options to choose from.
Evening Course
Once a week you’ll take an evening course. You get to choose one that suits you from a wide range of options. All courses meet for three hours one night, Monday through Thursday, but are otherwise like courses taught on your campus. In many cases, they have a direct relationship to the work you're doing throughout the week and range from politics and business to international affairs and communications.
LEAD Colloquium
Every Friday, you’ll attend TWC’s LEAD Colloquium. Through special activities, one-on-one advising with your LEAD instructor, and small group discussions with fellow TWC interns like you, you will contextualize what you learn at your internship and apply it toward a successful plan for life after college. During LEAD Colloquium you’ll further develop your professional identity, make lasting connections and learn how to navigate the professional workplace. When you leave TWC, you’ll be able to use your newly acquired skills and knowledge to build a meaningful career.
Portfolio
Throughout the program, you'll build a portfolio that showcases what you've learned and documents your professional journey. This e-portfolio will be yours to continue to build and showcase your accomplishments and talents throughout your professional career.
Housing
The Washington Center’s Residential and Academic Facility (RAF) is centrally located in NoMa, one of the coolest and 'most connected' neighborhoods in D.C. You'll be in the middle of it all with easy access wherever you need to go. The RAF offers apartment-style living - most apartments are two-bedroom, two-bath that are shared between four interns. The community you become a part of is one of the best things about The Washington Center. You never know what will spark a conversation that turns a roommate from halfway around the globe to a lifelong friend. The RAF is more than just a place to eat and sleep — it’s also TWC’s primary academic building. If you live in the RAF, your evening course and LEAD programming is a quick elevator ride away. As far as we’re aware, it’s the shortest commute in Washington, D.C.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in this program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a sophomore or above while participating in the program and have completed at least two semesters on campus by the start of our program.
- Maintain a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
