Washington Semester Program

10/21/2026

How WSP changed my life 🏛️

For Brandon Thurner, the Washington Semester Program was an experience that “changed my life in several ways, specifically through perspective and growth.”

From small-town roots to new possibilities in Washington, DC, Brandon discovered the DC advantage through new people and cultures, visits with policy and decision-makers, and a nonprofit internship that put business studies into practice.

The experience offered a glimpse of life after college - - and remained a guiding light throughout a career in the Washington, DC, region.

What could your Washington Semester story look like? Explore the program through the link in our bio.

American University AU School of Public Affairs

10/21/2026

How WSP changed my life 🏛️

For Brandon Thurner, the Washington Semester Program was an experience that “changed my life in several ways, specifically through perspective and growth.”

From small-town roots to new possibilities in Washington, DC, Brandon discovered the DC advantage through new people and cultures, visits with policy and decision-makers, and a nonprofit internship that put business studies into practice.

The experience offered a glimpse of life after college -- and remained a guiding light throughout a career in the Washington, DC, region.

What could your Washington Semester story look like?
Explore the program through the link in our bio.

American University AU School of Public Affairs

10/16/2026

DC Weekend Plans, Sorted! 🎃

🦇 Boo at the Zoo Smithsonian: Costumes, trick-or-treating, and after-dark animals, Friday through Sunday evening
🎶 Tregaron Unplugged chromic Washington Performing Arts: A free Saturday music festival with a brand new GPS soundwalk (register with Tregaron Conservancy)
📖 Planet Word’s 6th Anniversary Community Day Planet Word: Free Sunday celebration with pop-up talks and a scavenger hunt
Things to do in Washington, DC this fall weekend. Follow us for weekend fun!

👉 Looking for your weekday adventure interning in Washington, DC? Join the Washington Semester Program! Link in bio to learn more.

https://www.american.edu/WSP/

10/09/2026

09/29/2026

Sitting in on a DC Council Budget Meeting as an Intern 🏛️

JR, a Washington Semester Program intern, spends his day at a DC Council budget meeting, grabs lunch with fellow interns, and settles in at his workstation. But there's so much more to JR's day!

🎥 Watch the full Day in the Life: https://www.instagram.com/p/Dd4SUX3BxU_/
🏛️ Learn more about the Washington Semester Program: https://www.american.edu/WSP/

From the Washington Semester Program at AU School of Public Affairs and American University.

09/29/2026

A Day in the Life of a DC Politics Intern 🏛️

JR Breslav spent his summer gaining hands-on experience in political campaigns, strategic communications, and research through the Washington Semester Program. His Day in the Life video offers an inside look at learning political processes up close and what a full day in Washington really looks like.

This summer, JR, a student at Providence College, interned with the DCGOP. Our students intern across government, politics, and advocacy, and JR brought his experience to life in the video he created. Great work, JR!

Interested in your own DC internship? Link in bio.

From the Washington Semester Program at AU School of Public Affairs and American University.

09/26/2026

When you’re taking a break from your new DC internship ✨ Your DC Weekend Line-Up ✨


Fiesta DC: #1 Latin Festival & Parade in the USA Fiesta DC

10th Anniversary Celebration with museum-side programming NMAAHC

Theatre Week: the best time of the year to see shows Theatre Washington

👉 Looking for your weekday adventure interning in Washington, DC? Join the Washington Semester Program! Link in bio to learn more.

09/24/2026

Interning in Washington, DC starts with learning the city! 🏛️🔍 to our Fall 2026 scavenger hunt!

During orientation, our Washington Semester Program students raced across DC to spots like the Lincoln Memorial, Dupont Circle, and more, mastering the Metro and working as a team along the way. 🚇✨

One month later, those same streets lead to their DC internships in government, policy, law, media, nonprofits, and beyond. 💼🌟

DC is our classroom! Want to intern in DC for a semester? Link in bio 🔗

Where would your DC internship be? Tell us below 👇

WashingtonSemester

09/21/2026

How WSP changed my life: Ray Collins, Class of 1983 🏛️

Ray came to American University for a DC internship through the Washington Semester Program as a junior — and came back a different person. He went on to become a TV news anchor, and today he's a global luxury realtor in Florida.

His advice for anyone considering a DC internship? "I say go for it. It was the best thing I've ever done."

Thank you, Ray, for sharing your story with us 🙏

Follow along for more intern alumni stories 👀

Learn more about WSP internships, now part of AU's School of Public Affairs — link in bio 🔗

09/15/2026

🌎 Big news to celebrate! AU's School of Public Affairs AU School of Public Affairs — home to WSP — has been ranked #8 in the world and #2 in the U.S. for Public Administration in ShanghaiRanking's 2026 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. 🏆

As part of the School of Public Affairs (SPA), WSP students take SPA courses alongside the faculty and researchers driving this recognition — meaning our students are learning directly within one of the top-ranked public administration programs in the world.

Congratulations to our entire SPA community, including our faculty, students, and researchers, on this incredible achievement! Special shoutout to WSP Chair Jessica Waters , SPA Dean Alison Jacknowitz, and Interim American University President David Marchick for their leadership. 💙❤️

Rankings Internship