Centre-in-Washington Internship Program

Fall 2012

In the fall of 2012, the first group of Centre students will take part in an internship program in Washington DC. Partnering with Butler University, Centre will send five students in the fall and five the following spring to the nation's capital, where they will complete internships and take courses that focus on the art and architecture of Washington and U.S. foreign policy and international affairs.

Students work a regular workday (often 9 to 5) Mondays through Thursdays. For this, students receive six hours of P/F internship credit, the maximum currently allowed at Centre. Occasionally, an internship will be paid—though you should not count on that.

Internship opportunities are available in a wide array of fields: Butler students who have participated in the program have interned with the Speaker and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives; ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and CNN; the Holocaust and Air and Space Museums; Amnesty International and the Organization of American States; more than 20 Senators from both parties; the United Nations Foundation; the Pentagon, State Department, and Agency for International Development; the National Rehabilitation Center; and many law firms, think tanks and advocacy groups.

Location

Students live in apartment suites in a handsome older building on Connecticut Avenue, N.W., run by W.I.S.H. (Washington Internship Student Housing). This ideal location is a five-minute walk to the Woodley Park/Zoo stop on the Metro Red Line, and thus a short subway ride away from all major residential, governmental, and commercial areas in and around Washington. It is within walking distance of the gentrified Adams-Morgan area.

Housing in Washington DC

A suite houses six students and consists of three furnished bedrooms, two bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and a common area. The building has central air, laundry facilities, classrooms, computer labs, internet hook-ups, and 24/7 security. Two full-time RA's live in the building. No alcohol and no overnight guests are allowed.

Eligibility

All rising Centre juniors or seniors in good standing are invited to apply. Students can take part in both the Washington program and a long-term study abroad trip (as well as CentreTerm study-abroad trips).

Courses

Students take two three-hour courses: one in the Art and Architecture of Washington and the other in U.S. Foreign Policy & International Affairs. These meet in the evenings, with field trips and other meetings on some weekends.

Students also take three "Washington Weekend Seminars." These are one-hour, P/F courses on specific topics in and around Washington. They are taught by faculty members from Centre and Butler University who fly in to hold class Thursday evening with further discussion and site visits on Saturday and Sunday morning. They have been very popular with students in the past, covering Political Polling, International Sports Marketing, the Federal War on Drugs, the Declaration of Independence, the History of the Holocaust Museum, the World after 9/11, US-Russian Relations, etc.

Cost

Students pay a $350 non-refundable deposit/surcharge, a $1200 fee that covers about half the extra housing expense in Washington, and their expenses of getting to Washington. Students going to DC in the fall of 2012 should pay their $1200 fee to Judy Bowell in the cashier's office of Boles Hall by noon on Tuesday, April 10. Those going in the spring of 2013 should pay by noon on Thursday, October 4, 2012. Students on need-based financial aid with large gaps may qualify for some financial help from the Davidson Fund. Accepted students will not pay the usual "board" fee (part of room-and-board) for the semester they're in DC and will instead use that money for their meals in DC.

How to Apply

Applications and faculty recommendation forms can be picked up from the Center for Global Citizenship in Old Carnegie. You should give the recommendation forms to your faculty recommenders early in January. Turn in your completed application and faculty recommendation forms to Center for Global Citizenship no later than noon on Friday, 3 February. A committee will select up to five Centre students for both the fall and the spring terms.

Important Dates for Fall 2012 Program

Aug. 25 (Sat): Students check into DC apartments on Connecticut Avenue

Aug. 27 (Mon): Students meet with Ivo Spalatin for an all-day orientation (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), which includes a one-hour orienatation and a five-hour bus tour of DC

Aug. 28 (Tues): First day of internship and first U.S. foreign policy and international affairs class at 6:30 p.m., a class that will meet on Tuesday evenings throughout the semester

Aug. 29 (Wed): First day of art class, which starts at 6:30 p.m. and meets on Wednesdays throughout the semester

Nov. 19-23 (Mon through Friday): Thanksgiving week; no classes no work at the internships

Dec. 13 (Thurs): Last day of program, including internships

Dec. 15 (Sat): Check out of DC apartments

Important Dates for Spring 2013 Program

Jan. 19 (Sat.): Students check into DC apartments on Connecticut Avenue

Jan. 21 (Mon. and MLK): Students meet with Ivo Spalatin for an all-day orientation (10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.), which includes a one-hour orienatation and a bus tour of DC

Jan. 22 (Tues): First day of internship and classes

May 2 (Thurs.): Last day of internship and classes

May 4 (Sat.): Last day to check out of residence

Pre-Registration / Convocation Credits

While in DC, you pre-register for future courses via e-mail with your regular academic advisor. You will automatically be credited with six convocation credits during your term abroad.

Trip Deposit Due at Cashier's Office in Boles Hall by Tuesday, 28 February

In order to hold your slot if you are selected, you must pay the non-refundable $350 deposit/surcharge to Judy Bowell at the Cashier's Office in Boles Hall by noon on Tuesday, 28 February. If you later decide to withdraw from Centre-in-Washington, this non-refundable $350 deposit/surcharge is, as its name implies, not refundable.