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
TWC partners with over 400 internship sites in D.C. and across the county, and works with you one-on-one to land the internship that's right for you. Once you begin your internship, you'll be working on projects related to your interests with a supervisor who cares about your growth and success. 

Academic Course
One night a week, you'll take part in one of TWC's courses. You'll be able to choose a course that suits you from a wide range of options related to your major or you can try something new. Through this course you'll gain access to faculty members who not only work as professors, but often as professionals in their fields. 

Career Readiness Programming
TWC's career readiness programming is a mix of professional development workshops, career exploration sessions, networking events and one-on-one advising designed to help you maximize your internship experience and come away with a plan for your next step. You can participate in many different activities based on your interest and your schedule. 

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.

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.

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C. for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has 70 full-time staff and more than 50,000 alumni, many of whom are in leadership positions in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

TWC’s Mission is Building Future Leaders

Leaders are built from the inside out. They are made, not born. The Washington Center’s program advisors and internship site supervisors work tirelessly to ensure that students get the most out of their internship experience.

 

The Washington Center believes it is a fundamental civic duty to instill in all program participants the need to be well-informed, public-spirited and socially engaged leaders. TWC’s alumni hold leadership positions in virtually every career field, including law, education, social work, medicine, journalism, diplomacy, business and politics. Several even serve on TWC’s Board of Directors.

 

Two Core Programs

The Washington Center offers two types of programs:

 

Internships Semester- or summer-long integrated academic and work experiences in government, corporate and nonprofit organizations. Each internship is tailored to provide meaningful work experiences that will enhance students’ resumes and help launch their careers. Additionally, students take academic courses and attend special programming during their time at The Washington Center.


Academic Seminars These intensive learning experiences focus on specific topics, such as National Security, the Presidency, and the Middle East Peace Process. Past seminars have included visits to such locations as Capitol Hill, CNN, the Newseum, embassies and many others. Seminar events have featured such respected speakers as Ted Koppel, Andrea Mitchell, Howard Dean, and others.
Additional Program Information
Colby students will follow the credit structure below while studying/interning with The Washington Center:

Internship: 6 credits (CR/NC)
Independent study Project: 4 credits (Graded). ISP must be reviewed by Colby Faculty member upon return to campus.
Washington Center seminar: 2 credits (CR/NC)
Optional second 1-2 credit Washington Center seminar (such as the Research and Writing Seminar) if schedule permits. (CR/NC)

Total of 12-14 credits