Washington D.C. Summer Study Program
The Washington Summer Study Program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to live and work in the Washington, D.C., area while earning academic credit. Each student will serve in a Congressional office, on a committee staff, in a government agency, in a nonprofit organization, or with a public affairs group. In addition to the work experience, the faculty moderator will conduct seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumni(ae) and other professionals to enhance the learning experience.
This program is available to students from any major. Many students choose to work with a Senate or House office or with lobbyists and government relations firms. Economics majors can intern with the World Bank, IMF, or numerous other financial institutions. Peace Studies majors on the program have worked for human rights organizations and non-governmental organizations working in international development. Environmental Studies majors can work for the EPA or environmental policy organizations. Others might consider journalism internships, or internships within the federal bureaucracy. Natural Science majors can work for a health policy group and fine arts and humanities majors might think of interning with organizations such as the National Endowment for the Arts. There are literally thousands of internships in Washington DC. They are competitive but we assist you through the application process.
Below is a news release about the 2022 Program. For information about the 2023 Program contact Claire Haeg or Jim Read.
Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program offers students experience in global, U.S. public policy
12 CSB and SJU students participate in 43rd year of capitol internship opportunity.
June 15, 2022
Political and legal activism in criminal justice reform, climate issues, men’s health and Latino economic advancement are the focus of summer internships for several students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University participating in the 2022 CSB and SJU Washington, D.C. Summer Study Program.
Others are learning advocacy, research and membership-building for non-profits supporting public school teachers, the air conditioning industry and Hispanic physicians.
Two students’ internships have an international focus advocating for victims of torture and promoting human rights, while two others will have a traditional internship on Capitol Hill, working in a senator’s office and for a congressional committee.
In total, 12 students from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University have internships through the program. All will spend the summer in Washington, a first for participants since 2019. The onset of the pandemic forced a year of remote participation in 2020 and another with a split set of experiences in 2021.
The program, now in its 43rd year, provides opportunities to work in a congressional office, a government agency, a nonprofit organization or with a public affairs group, learning and working in a community. The students apply for their internship based on interest and receive academic credit. In addition to work experience and completion of coursework, CSB and SJU faculty travel to Washington to conduct seminars and arrange supplemental meetings with alumnae/i and other professionals.
