The Center for Global Understanding (CFGU) has partnered with The Washington Center (TWC) to administer our Washington DC internship program. All candidates must submit their application online or in hard copy to The Washington Center. The cost of applying is $60 for US citizens. This amount is refunded if a student submits a complete, on-time application and meets the minimum eligibility requirements but is not accepted. Postgraduate Professional Development Program applicants pay a $250 deposit in lieu of the application fee. This amount is later deducted from the invoice they receive. Interested students may download the pdf application or apply online (see below).
Regardless of the application that you submit, please make sure to check the box next to “Center for Global Understanding” to indicate your interest in this initiative.

We encourage all prospective students to use the online application found on The Washington Center website. However, the following schools do NOT permit its use: Albion College, Bridgewater State College, Clark University, Florida State University, Miami University, Montclair State University and Texas Christian University. Students attending these schools should use the paper application found above. Dickinson College students must consult their Global Ed Office before starting the online application. University of Toledo students must consult the campus liaison before starting the online application.

Students should consult with their liaison or campus sponsor before submitting any materials. He or she must also approve the application.

You may begin working on your online application whenever you wish, and return to complete additional sections as time permits.

You should begin requesting some of these materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc) as soon as you decide to apply. Some of these components can (or in the case of transcripts, must) be submitted to TWC by mail, as indicated here.

• Personal Information, Academic Information, Program and Interest Areas and any additional information requested
• Internship request statement
• Issues essay
• Resume
• Emergency contact information
• Transcript
• Two letters of recommendation (online or mail). Please note: At a minimum, you need at least the name and phone number for one of your recommenders
• Approval of your campus liaison or sponsor

Issues Essay, Internship Request Statement and Resume:

The issues essay is a 500-word statement in which you will discuss one issue related to the area in which you hope to work. You should include an indication of your personal views on at least one of these topics. This is not a research paper, but rather an opportunity for you to demonstrate that you have a serious interest and some background knowledge about issues in your chosen field. It is primarily used as a writing sample during the internship placement process.

In your 100-word internship request statement you should describe the types of activities in which you would like to be involved during your internship, and how these activities relate to your career goals.

Your résumé should clearly outline your educational, volunteer, leadership, and work experience to date.

Please refer to the sample materials below for guidance if these instructions are unclear. The Washington Center is a nonpartisan, non-profit, educational organization. The views expressed by TWC interns do not necessarily reflect those of The Washington Center.

• Internship Request Sample (pdf)
• Issues Essay Sample (coming soon)
• Resume Sample (pdf)

Postgraduate Professional Development Program Applicants:

Those applying for the Postgraduate Program should submit all components of the application with the exception of the campus sponsor agreement. This component is not needed, given that The Washington Center does not facilitate credit for postgraduate students. Candidates should be sure to select one of the terms that begins with “Postgraduate” (rather than Spring Semester, Summer Term, etc.) and to choose "Postgraduate Professional Development Program" when asked to provide a program choice (rather than Media and Communication, Law and Criminal Justice, etc.).The program accommodates students in all majors. Graduate students applying before they have received any grades in their program of study should send an undergraduate transcript.

What Happens After I Apply?

The enrollment services office at The Washington Center is committed to the prompt and efficient processing of your application.

If your application is accepted, you will be notified promptly and assigned to a program that fits with your interests. A Washington Center program staff member will then contact you to discuss the placement process. You will also be given password access to the Accepted Students section of our website that will provide important information about your placement process, housing assignments and other general information.

If you submit a complete application by the regular deadline and meet the minimum eligibility requirements, the application fee will be refunded if you are not accepted into the program.