Students hoping to experience life in Washington, D.C. can do so even 1700 miles away at the Josef Korbel School. The Josef Korbel School offers a semester in D.C. program in which students can spend the fall quarter of their second year interning and taking classes in the nation's capital.
The partnership program with Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, allows a maximum of 25 students from any degree program to participate.
Susan Rivera, Director of Student Affairs, explained that students from all three schools take classes in the evenings taught by practitioners in the field. Students spend their days working usually full-time at their internships.
Current classes offered are on topics ranging from national security to economics and development. And students aren't required to take the courses the program offers but instead can opt to study at one of the local D.C. schools.
Melissa Martin, Associate Director for Internship Programs in the Office of Career and Professional Development, said that this program is an incredible opportunity for students and recommends networking as much as possible.
“This is an incredible opportunity to network,” Martin said. “If you’re in D.C., factor in networking as part of your internship.”
Steve Myers, an International Security student, is interning at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition in the Government Relations Department. Myers said that this program will be an invaluable experience.
“The Korbel D.C. program has allowed me to continue my education while I network with other young professionals from Syracuse and Pittsburgh and gain professional experience in Washington,” he said.
Martin added that the Josef Korbel School has a very active alumni network that students can use as another resource.
Other current students in the D.C. program are interning at the Departments of Commerce and State, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and others.
Art Chambers, a Global Finance, Trade and Economic Integration student, is interning with the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. He said that the internship experience is what makes the program worthwhile as the classes aren't as demanding as those offered at the Josef Korbel School.
“An internship is really the main reason to come to DC, but some are better than others,” Chambers said. “It really depends what you're learning on the job and what kind of connections you can make while you're here.”
Chambers added that the Maxwell School's career services are very connected and proactive in finding good internships for students to apply to.
Rivera said domestic students participating in the D.C. program may receive an additional $5,000 in loans from the financial aid office to offset the costs of living in the nation's capital.
Students interested in participating can find the application at the bottom of the portfolio page. Applications are due in early November.
- M. Schwinn, MA candidate in International Security
