Washington, DC semester

View taken from the capitol building

One or two selected students each semester eagerly pack their bags to study in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. The Washington Semester, in conjunction with American University, places student in internships with the White House, Congress, federal agencies, and interest groups. They may choose from seven semester programs: Washington, Urban, Foreign Policy, International Development, Economic Policy, Science and Technology, or American Studies.

  • Zach Rubinich — Interned with the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission in Harrisburg, PA doing legal research.
  • Patrick Keane — Now Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps. As part of his Washington Semester at American University, Patrick interned in a defense policy think tank.
  • Thomas Coale — As part of his Washington Semester at American University, Tom interned in the office of the Vice President Cheney.
  • Chris Roger — Interned with county court administration.

"The Washington Semester represented a turning point in my life. Through this program, I was exposed to and interacted with some of the top foreign policy makers within our country as well as from other nations. Several days a week, my small group met with representatives from the State Department, the White House, and the CIA, among others, to discuss the day's pressing issues. I knew immediately following the semester that I wanted to work with developing democracies."

- Joseph Longobardo, Washington College of Law at American University