What Alumni say About SIW

Our students are always singing our praises after leaving our program. Here's what a few of them have said:

"Semester In Washington was one of the best experiences that I have had in life. SIW helped to focus my goals and show me the way that individuals in public life could make government better and more able to meet the needs of the public."

-- Lee Clausen, University of Nebraska - Omaha

"The Semester In Washington experience created new opportunities for me after I completed my undergraduate work. SIW enhanced my knowledge of interest groups and gave me the connections I needed to intern in the field department of a civil liberties group. This experience has opened many new doors for me as I have made many connections with several organizations and it has made me rethink my post-graduate plans."

-- Chris Weber, Boston University

"The internship GW helped me find led to my first job in D.C. After serving as the press intern in the fall of 1999, EMILY's List hired me as the press assistant when I graduated in June! The GW Semester in Washington program was the best career decision I made as an undergrad. "

-- Kate Cyril, Bentley College

"SIW exceeded all of my expectations. For anyone interested in government and politics, this is a one-semester dream in what I thought was impossible. I am now focused and prepared for a career in campaign management and certain that I can make a difference to my country in the future."

-- Steven Atkiss, University of Florida

"For a student interested in public policy or campaigning at the federal level, [SIW] could be likened to studying abroad. It’s one thing to study electoral politics or lobbying techniques in California or Connecticut, it’s quite another to learn first-hand from professionals with countless years of experience within said fields, and have K St., consulting firms, and Capitol Hill as your laboratories."

-- Chris Maloney, Sacred Heart University

"The hands-on academic and practical experience gained in my Semester In Washington has opened my eyes - and opened the doors - for my future in political management."

-- Sara Van Meter, Haverford College

"All the students in our program have been overwhelmed by the quality of instruction and the in-depth tailoring of the program to our specific interests and needs. More than anything, this program has helped me figure out what I want to do with my life."

-- Vicky Yang, Whittier College

"In the first month in the GW program I have been to events I never thought I could attend, and seen more places than I had seen in all my four years in high schools in the Washington area. For me, the word "fun" is not nearly strong enough to describe what reading and talking about politics has become during this semester. Reading a book and being able to talk with the author is an unprecedented experience. Besides that, being around so many great students and having the chance to interact with and question the people who run the nation in unbelievable."

-- Theo Capriles, Swarthmore College

"Before my semester in Washington was even completed, I knew that I wanted to stay and work in this city. GW has proven to be a superb match for my career aspirations within the beltway, and the Semester In Washington program was the greatest way to begin my relationship with Washington D.C.!"

-- Brendan Kara, Franklin and Marshall College, and The George Washington University

"Semester in Washington gave me the D.C. experience I had been missing! My friends from SIW are still some of my closest because of a shared political passion. This semester helped channel my interests and gave me a real sense of direction for my senior year."

-- Heather Morassini, Fairfield University

"Semester in Washington was a lifetime experience, and a must do if you're into political science. It has given me the confidence and ability to want to set realistic goals in my future career, which I never thought was
possible. Fantastic people, fantastic field trips, fantastic campus."

-- Matthew Cross, Sydney, Australia

"While Washington D.C. is an excellent place to expose yourself to America's political system, the Semester In Washington Program is much more than just that. By living with people from all over the globe, discussing current political issues with them, and then working together on a campaign, you get to see yourself actually become part of that system. I not only went to various networking events at the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Bush and Kerry campaigns, and the FEC, but I actively participated in them. The excellent, engaging course taught by Professor Lebel, matched up with my great practicum team led by a Washington insider, made the classroom experience unforgettable. My internship at MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews, which included going up to New York City for the Republican National Convention, only brought me more great first-hand political experience. It would be an understatement to say I enjoyed the program. I would say I had the time of my life."

-- Collin Schueler, University of Michigan

"What I enjoyed most about living on campus was that at the end of the day, instead of going home, I could swing by one of my classmate's rooms and we could discuss our internships, things we had learned in class,
etc. One of my favorite traditions was that our group would get coffee every weeknight at 10pm and walk to the White House and back before the lights at the White House went off- it was a great way to mellow out. I was able to develop a much closer relationship with my classmates than I would have had if I had lived off-campus."

-- Nina Verghese, St. Mary's College