International Affairs Study/Internships - U.S.A.
Washington Semester Program at American University. Areas of study include:- American Politics
- Islam and World Affairs
- Foreign Policy
- Global Economics and Business
- International Environment and Development
- International Law and Organizations
- Justice and Law
- Peace and Conflict Resolution
- Transforming Communities
The Washington Semester Program has a fully searchable online internship database that boasts over 2,000 different internships at thousands of sites-all in the D.C. metro area. Past internship sites include American Red Cross (National Headquarters), Children's Defense Fund, U.S. Department of Commerce, World Bank Group, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Amnesty International, U.S. State Department, United Press International, NBC Washington, National Press Foundation, CNN, C-SPAN, U.S. Department of Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, and the offices of members of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate.
World Affairs Council – Washington D.C.
- International Affairs Interns
- Global Education Interns
- Global Communications and Marketing Interns
US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – Washington D.C.
An internship with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee offers an exciting opportunity for college students, graduate students or recent graduates to gain first-hand experience working on issues of foreign policy and to learn about the legislative and political process. The position requires excellent writing skills, attention to detail and the ability to multitask.
Selected candidates will be matched with Committee staff members, based on their interests and experience. Intern responsibilities range from attending meetings on and off the Hill to drafting memos, tracking legislation and conducting research projects. While internships last for a full semester, the Committee can accommodate full-time interns as well as those who are only available a few days per week.
United Nations
White House Internship Program
This select group of young men and women from across the country dedicate their time,
talents, energy and service to better the White House, the community and the nation.
These committed citizens become a part of the White House team. The assignments given
to an intern on any given day could include conducting research, managing incoming
inquiries, attending meetings, and writing memos.
While the intern's individual responsibilities and tasks vary, they are united through
weekly events and, most importantly, through service. Interns participate in a long-term
service project to help the surrounding community. This is a great opportunity to
promote leadership and a way to learn about their fellow intern class. Each week,
interns come together for a speaker series with senior staff members and participate
in off-site field trips around D.C. In addition, during the summer a few interns are
chosen as mentors for the D.C. Scholars.
Interns have the opportunity to work in one of several White House departments, including
the Office of Cabinet Affairs, the Office of Scheduling and Advance, the Office of
Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Office of Legislative Affairs,
the Office of Management and Administration, the Office of the White House Counsel,
the Office of Political Affairs, the Office of Energy and Climate Change, the National
Economic Council, the Office of Presidential Correspondence, the Office of Presidential
Personnel, the Communications Department, the Domestic Policy Council, the Office
of the First Lady, and the Office of the Vice President.
Capitol Hill
Internships for the Members of Congress or Congressional Committees vary greatly by
office. Many are purely administrative in nature; others afford an opportunity for
more substantive work. Committees involved in international relations, defense, or
trade, and the members who serve on those committees, are the most likely to have
substantive positions.
Congressional Research Service
Volunteer interns assist professional CRS staff in performing research and reference
in response to public policy-related issues and questions. Through this work, volunteers
have an opportunity to participate in the legislative process and to develop valuable
research skills in a public policy setting. CRS is organized into six interdisciplinary
research divisions: American Law; Domestic Social Policy; Foreign Affairs, Defense
and Trade; Government and Finance; Knowledge Services Group; and Resources, Science
and Industry. Within each division, CRS staff are organized into smaller sections,
which focus on specific areas of public policy.
U.S. Department of State
Intern duties and responsibilities may vary according to post or office of assignment.
For instance, interns may write reports on human rights issues, assist with trade
negotiations, assist with citizen's services of visa work, help Americans in distress
abroad, or organize conferences or visits of high=level officials. Others may research
economic or environmental issues. Write news stories, work on web pages, or help
produce electronic journals. The majority of internships are unpaid.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), International Bureau, Strategic Analysis
and Negotiations Division
Interns may work on project involving a variety of substantive issues, including researching
foreign telecommunications, regulatory frameworks and policies, compiling country
profiles and briefing materials in preparation for FCC, meeting with foreign telecommunications
regulators, drafting responses to policy inquiries from foreign regulators, and assisting
with the International Visitors Program, one of the FCC's major regulatory outreach
programs. Internships are unpaid and offer valuable hands-on experience in telecommunications
regulation. It provides an excellent opportunity to work in an environment in which
complex telecommunications issues are addressed from interdisciplinary perspectives
of law, economics, engineering, foreign policy, international business and trade,
and international development. Interns will learn about a wide range of substantive
issues involving cutting edge telecommunications industries cutting edge telecommunications
industries, as well as the dynamics of a high-profile Federal regulatory agency.
Millennium Challenge Corp.
Understand the value of undergraduate and graduate-level international development
coursework and earn valuable and substantive work experience while participating firsthand
in diminishing the world's poverty through an internship at the Millennium Challenge
Corporation.
MCC offers an internship program for undergraduate and graduate-level students interested
in international development. Internship programs are designed to complement the intern's
educational pursuits and career goals while meeting MCC's needs.
Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Be a part of one of Washington, DC's most respected organizations which provides a
blend of international relations, human rights, and Capitol Hill experience. The Commission
on Security and Cooperation in Europe is seeking highly-motivated, self-starting individuals
for its internship program.
Interns for the Helsinki Commission research Helsinki Final Act-related issues on
human rights, religious liberties, corruption and rule of law, and free media; communicate
with House and Senate offices regarding pending foreign policy initiatives; assist
staff advisors with hearings and briefings; assist the communications director with
media coordination and press conferences; compile press clippings of articles on developments
in the OSCE region; maintain awareness of NGO activities; and conduct standard office
duties.
Qualified Helsinki Commission internship candidates should have a keen interest in learning more about international affairs and the inner-workings of Congress. Intern applicants must be U.S. citizens.
United States Trade Representative
The student intern program at USTR is a volunteer program where undergraduate and graduate students gain knowledge and experience on U.S. trade policy and, in many cases, earn college credit at the same time.
Assignments range from research, analyses, statistics, briefing books, report preparation, meeting and conference planning, letter writing, to covering Hill meetings, hearings, and markups as necessary.
Applications will be processed by the Intern Coordinator and circulated to senior
staff to determine if there is a need for volunteer assistance. These offices include,
General Counsel; Congressional Affairs; Western Hemisphere; Europe and the Mediterranean;
Japan; China; Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation; World Trade Organization and Multilateral
Affairs; Industry, Agricultural Affairs; Public Affairs; Intergovernmental Affairs;
Environment and Natural Resources; Services, Investment, and Intellectual Property;
and our Geneva headquarters.
Agency for International Development
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the lead agency for the U.S. Government providing economic development and humanitarian assistance to people around the world. By creating the conditions to help countries move from poverty to prosperity, we serve both the American public and millions of people living in countries in development and transition.
USAID's Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) is responsible for all of the Agency's external affairs as well as employee communications. It serves as the central point of contact with the American people, Congress, the media, as well as the Agency's key constituencies. LPA provides overall coordination for all aspects of legislative and public affairs matters for the Agency.
In addition, LPA directs the Agency's communications strategy and policies; is responsible
for positioning, messaging and branding; develops outreach and educational programs;
leads the Agency's online marketing strategy and manages the external website; etc.
Council on Foreign Relations
Various internship opportunities in New York and Washington D.C.