Semester in D.C.

Hi Stonehill!

My name is Jennifer Juliano, I am a junior and an Economics and Elementary Education double major. I am participating in the American University Washington Semester Program, specifically the Economic Policy Seminar Program, and I am interning at the Center for Education Reform.

I decided to "study-abroad" in D.C. instead of going to another country for two reasons. The first being I lived overseas for 12 years before coming to Stonehill and I felt that I already had the international experience and wanted to explore the U.S. and what it had to offer for me. The second reason I chose to spend my semester in D.C. was that I felt it would point me in the right direction for what I wanted to do after graduation. Since I am not interested in becoming a school teacher, but am interested in the policy making of education and its reform, D.C. has been the perfect place for me to explore this interest. Up until this point I haven't been able to combine my two majors and Washington has allowed me to examine both subjects together and see the relationship between education and economics.

I am in the Economic Policy Seminar and like Therese said, there are a lot of international students studying here with us. This has made for a very rich learning environment and has allowed me to get the different economic perspective of students from Germany, France, Sweden, Norway, Korea and Japan. There is also an American student who is a strong follower and believer of Ron Paul which has resulted in some very interesting debates. My professor starts off each week with an interactive lecture about the topic of the week. So far we have covered the current state of the U.S. economy, monetary policy, fiscal policy, U.S. housing policy, health care and next week is energy policy. With each new topic we visit at least two speakers and go to a hearing on Capitol Hill. Last week at the Hearing of the House Committee on Financial Services Timothy Geithner was testifying on financial regulation. Some of our field trips include Capitol Hill, the Pentagon and the Newseum. We have also had speakers come talk to us from the Federal Reserve, the Congressional Budget Office, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Council of Economic Advisors, the FDIC and other various agencies and think-tanks.

My Internship at the Center for Education Reform has also been a great learning experience. So far I have been doing a great deal of work with charter schools which has been fascinating since charter schools are not taught in the Education classes at Stonehill.

D.C. definitely has a lot going on and a great deal to offer! It is a great fast-paced young city that I'm sure you will enjoy just as much as I have!

I hope our posts have given you a good idea on what the semester in Washington is all about! I'll post more later!

busy busy busy

My name is Therese Mance and I am a current Junior, International Studies major, studying at American University Washington Semester Student interning at the Catholic Diocese of Arlington - Migrant and Refugee Services.

Stonehill, here are my words for you...

I consider myself pretty well traveled and I've always been one to look forward to meeting new people, trying new foods, and experiencing new adventures. Washington, DC is like nothing I've ever encountered! Although I'd have to say that people aren't quite as friendly as Stonehill (but really who IS?!) I've been blessed enough to have been offered a dream internship at the Catholic Diocese of Arlington - Migrant and Refugee Services. The small office that I work in is the most diverse group I've worked with in my life, there are Nepalese, Somalian, Colombian, Egyptian, American, Iraqi, and Europeans representing various religious differences as well....It's truly amazing to work with these people everyday! I work specifically with the Education office where we help students register for school, get tested for ESL (English as a Second Language), and set up mentoring and tutoring volunteers with the students in their transition to the new culture. Since beginning my job, I have already been given various tasks to complete, some fun, some uncomfortable, but always teaching me something new about myself or the life of an immigrant or refugee in the United States.

My internship search was pretty normal, nothing too exciting occurred. I applied to 4 places, but only ended up hearing back from 3 groups for interest in a follow-up interview. Some of the interviews were more casual than others, but I found it to be helpful to write an introspective paper before going into the interviews. By the end of my search, I was offered positions at all three of the groups and choose the Migrant and Refugee Services in Arlington, and despite the hour long commute every morning, I regret nothing in my decision.

The community at American University has been receptive to all kinds of people and the language barriers that are everywhere! I live with 2 french graduate students in the Tenley Campus dorms, and despite my 6 years study of French, I still understand very little when they speak. One thing I didn't know before coming to Washington was how much of an international program this was, I believe its somewhere between 50-55% of the program is foreign students studying for the semester or year. Ranging from French, German, Swedish, Colombian, Japanese, English, Ukrainian, Nepalese, Chinese, and Mexican, this program has some of the brightest students from around the world coming to DC for internships, networking, and experience. It can seem overwhelming at first, but it's a lot of fun to meet all these different people.

I am part of the Foreign Policy Seminar so my professor has found a nice balance between American politics and international relations. I have gotten the chance to meet with many different people as guest speakers in my seminar including Bob Scheiffer (CBS Washington Chief Correspondent), Senator Richard Lugar (Rep.-Indiana), Mr. Julius Menn (Holocaust Survivor), Ted Carpenter (CATO Institute VP for Defense and Foreign Policy), Dr. Theodore Bromound (The Heritage Foundation), and so many more! As you can see there is so much to say and I've only been here for a month!

Outside of classes, studying, and interning, I have taken the time to really explore various parts of the city including the National Mall, The National Archives (to see the Constitution which is the most important document in our nation's history and must be known for any class with Professor Ubertaccio... he'll even offer you a pocket Constitution.), the National Holocaust Museum, the U St. Neighborhood, and most importantly Georgetown Cupcake. As you can see things have been pretty busy down here in DC and things will not be letting up anytime soon...

stay posted for later posts.

First Month in Washington!

Hello future interns!

My name is Diana Cabral and I am currently a junior at Stonehill! My major is Criminology which is why I am taking part in the Law and Criminal Justice program at The Washington Center here in D.C.! I am interning with INTERPOL- U.S. National Central Bureau. This organization handles domestic and foreign intelligence requests while coordinating international policing matters. If you have never heard of this organization, no worries, I didn't either. While I initially hoped to work with the CIA or FBI, I am pleased to say that I am very thankful with my opportunity to work for INTERPOL. I strongly encourage you to explore an internship with INTERPOL if you wish to have a future job in law enforcement.

INTERPOL is co-managed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. This unique sharing of the organizations allows for agents from both departments to hold positions at the USNCB. I am working in the Drug Division of INTERPOL under two senior DEA agents. In the same building, there are DHS/ICE, FBI, USSS, USMS, FDA, CBP, EPA, and ATF agents just to name a few. Not only does my internship allow me to network simply within my division, but I am able to walk down the hallway and have access to numerous agents from the a/m agencies in order to gain a holistic understanding of how each agency works!

As far as adjusting to life in Washington....

Although I have never had to rely on public transportation in my life, it is relatively easy to get used to. You figure out pretty quickly how to navigate to and from work, class, and program events.

The apartments rented for The Washington Center are very nice... or so I hear from other interns, whatever you do, DO NOT live in Grosvenor Towers. (Apparently I missed the memo that the nickname for Grosvenor Towers is "Ghetto Towers" and now I am living in an apartment with numerous problems.) The other apartment complexes are very nice, especially Fenestra, so try to live there if you can! At any rate, a spacious apartment is still preferable to living in a dorm room.
There are many thing to see down here so make sure to plan trips to visit the monuments and museums if you decide to come. The Metro can get you in walking distance of pretty much everything so don't feel trapped if you cant bring your car.

This program is a great way to experience Washington D.C. and learn how to work in a professional business setting while still getting credit at Stonehill!

I hope this little bit of information helps you out and I will be sure to post more in the future!