UW-Madison students interested in spending a semester in Washington, D.C., earning credits while gaining experience in political and commercial fields, will have an opportunity to do so thanks to a new pilot program.
The program, which will have its inaugural run in the fall of 2005, was pioneered by UW-Madison alumni and is the collaboration of the Division of International Studies, the department of political science and the international studies major.
\There are no formal prerequisites for the position,"" said Liane Kosaki, a UW-Madison advisor in the political science department. However, Kosaki did recommend students have a background in history.
Cynthia Williams, UW-Madison director of external affairs in the International Studies department, said a faculty panel will review student applications and choose the position to which a student is assigned, taking into consideration their backgrounds.
According to Williams, there will be at least six to eight internships for prospective students who will also live and study in the city.
The program will include 20 hours a week of internship work as well as a seminar that includes readings and written assignments, Williams said.
""The program we're running gives six credits ... to be a full-time student, you need to arrange a direct study with professors in the area and there's also the possibility of taking courses online,"" said Christine Schindler, advisor in the international studies department.
The options for the unpaid internship vary, fitting the interests of a variety of students.
""There are positions in [a] Scandinavian embassy, congressional offices, Voice of America and World Bank,"" Williams said. ""There's also work with global health policy and consulting firms dealing with trade and development and technology and foreign policy.""
According to Williams, the interns will be housed in the Virginia Suites in Roslyn, Va.
""The cost for a dual-occupancy room will be about $4,800 and the rooms will include a kitchen, Internet, cable, shuttle and free shuttles to and from the metro station,"" Williams said.
The program will cost in-state students $4,500, out of state students $8,500 and Minnesota students $6,000. According to Schindler, financial aid will
be available.
""The benefits of the internship include practical experience, insights on the relationship between academic work and interest and also networking,"" Kosaki said.
Applications must be received by March 18.
