{"id":19839,"date":"2024-05-15T17:10:42","date_gmt":"2024-05-16T00:10:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?p=19839"},"modified":"2024-08-22T16:22:32","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T23:22:32","slug":"washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/","title":{"rendered":"Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n    \n                                          \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-hero \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-hero\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A group poses with the night time Washington DC skyline.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-caption\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Students in the USC Dornsife Washington DC Program gather for a photo at the Lincoln Memorial.\n\n\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <div class=\"text-wrapper\">\n          <nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\">\n        <ul>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\">News<\/a><\/li>\n                      <li><a href=\"\/news\/stories\/\/?category=dornsife-global\">Dornsife Global<\/a><\/li>\n                  <\/ul>\n      <\/nav>\n    \n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--page-title\">\n\n    \n  <h1>Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n          <div class=\"subtitle\">\n            \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  Through the generosity of donors, the Dornsife Washington DC Program immerses students in real-world policymaking through internships and courses.\n\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n           <strong class=\"author-field\"><span >By<\/span><a href=\"mailto:communication@dornsife.usc.edu\">Taline Rumaya<\/a><\/strong>\n    \n          <span class=\"post-date-field\">May 15, 2024<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--social-share \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--social-share\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n    <span class=\"a2a_kit a2a_kit_size_32 addtoany_list\" style=\"line-height: 32px;\">\n      <span class=\"title\">\n        Share\n      <\/span>\n                        <a class=\"a2a_button_copy_link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Link\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_copy_link\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m7.43475275 9.52380952-2.17490843 2.26076008c-1.08745421 1.058837-1.68841575 2.518315-1.68841575 4.0350275 0 1.5167124.60096154 2.9475732 1.68841575 4.0350274 1.058837 1.0874543 2.51831502 1.6884158 4.03502747 1.6884158 1.44087681 0 2.80427251-.5423678 3.86936601-1.5289606l.1656615-.1594552 2.2321428-2.2321428-1.6311813-1.6311813-2.2321429 2.26076c-.6581959.658196-1.5167124 1.0016026-2.43246332 1.0016026s-1.7742674-.3434066-2.43246337-1.0016026c-.65819597-.6581959-1.00160257-1.5167124-1.00160257-2.4324633 0-.8547009.2991453-1.6595442.87416905-2.2981957l.12743352-.1342677 2.23214286-2.2321429zm6.88661855-.40736607-5.26116068 5.26116075 1.61881868 1.6188186 5.2611607-5.2611607zm1.3837569-5.54501488c-1.4408768 0-2.8042725.54236779-3.869366 1.52896062l-.1656615.15945513-2.23214282 2.23214286 1.63118132 1.63118132 2.2321429-2.23214286c.6581959-.65819597 1.5167124-1.00160256 2.4324633-1.00160256s1.7742674.34340659 2.4324634 1.00160256 1.0016026 1.51671246 1.0016026 2.43246337c0 .85470089-.2991453 1.65954419-.8741691 2.29819559l-.1274335.1342678-2.2321429 2.2321428 1.5739469 1.5739469 2.2321429-2.2321428c1.0874542-1.058837 1.6884157-2.5183151 1.6884157-4.03502751 0-1.51671245-.6009615-2.94757326-1.6884157-4.03502747-1.058837-1.08745421-2.518315-1.68841575-4.0350275-1.68841575z\" transform=\"translate(-3 -3)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Copy Link<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_facebook\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Facebook\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_facebook\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m23.9512 6h-16.9024c-.57923625 0-1.0488.46956375-1.0488 1.0488v16.9024c0 .5792362.46956375 1.0488 1.0488 1.0488h9.10024v-7.34768h-2.46772v-2.87584h2.46772v-2.11508c0-2.45404 1.49872-3.79012 3.68828-3.79012.7389668-.00263323 1.4775241.03516995 2.21236.11324v2.56348h-1.51392c-1.18788 0-1.4174.56544-1.4174 1.39612v1.8316h2.84772l-.37088 2.87584h-2.47684v7.34844h4.83284c.5792362 0 1.0488-.4695638 1.0488-1.0488v-16.9024c0-.57923625-.4695638-1.0488-1.0488-1.0488z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -6)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Facebook<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_twitter\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#twitter\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"X\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_twitter\">\n              <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\"\n\t y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 30 30\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 30 30\" xml:space=\"preserve\" width=\"19\" height=\"19\">\n<path fill=\"#000\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M14.5,16.2l-0.8-1.1l-6.3-9h2.7l5.1,7.3l0.8,1.1\n\tl6.6,9.4h-2.7L14.5,16.2L14.5,16.2z M16.9,13.4l7.4-8.7h-1.8l-6.5,7.5L11,4.8H5l7.8,11.4L5,25.2h1.8l6.8-7.9l5.5,7.9h6L16.9,13.4\n\tL16.9,13.4z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">X<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#linkedin\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Linkedin\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_linkedin\">\n              <svg height=\"19\" viewBox=\"0 0 19 19\" width=\"19\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m25 21.4220779c0 1.974026-1.6038961 3.5779221-3.5779221 3.5779221h-11.84415582c-1.97402598 0-3.57792208-1.6038961-3.57792208-3.5779221v-11.84415582c0-1.97402598 1.6038961-3.57792208 3.57792208-3.57792208h11.84415582c1.974026 0 3.5779221 1.6038961 3.5779221 3.57792208zm-14.5584416-12.21428569c-.98701295 0-1.60389606.61688311-1.60389606 1.48051949-.12337663.8636364.49350649 1.4805195 1.48051946 1.4805195.987013 0 1.6038961-.6168831 1.6038961-1.4805195 0-.86363638-.6168831-1.48051949-1.4805195-1.48051949zm1.3571429 12.70779219v-8.6363636h-2.83766234v8.6363636zm10.2402597 0v-4.9350649c0-2.5909091-1.3571428-3.8246753-3.3311688-3.8246753-1.4805195 0-2.0974026.8636363-2.4675325 1.4805194v-1.2337662h-2.8376623v8.6363636h2.8376623v-4.9350649c0-.2467532 0-.4935065.1233767-.7402597.1233766-.4935065.6168831-.987013 1.4805194-.987013.987013 0 1.4805195.7402597 1.4805195 1.974026v4.564935z\" transform=\"translate(-6 -6)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">LinkedIn<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_bluesky\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#bluesky\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"Bluesky\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_bluesky\">\n              <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\">\n                <path fill=\"#00000\" d=\"M12 10.8c-1.087-2.114-4.046-6.053-6.798-7.995C2.566.944 1.561 1.266.902 1.565C.139 1.908 0 3.08 0 3.768c0 .69.378 5.65.624 6.479c.815 2.736 3.713 3.66 6.383 3.364c.136-.02.275-.039.415-.056c-.138.022-.276.04-.415.056c-3.912.58-7.387 2.005-2.83 7.078c5.013 5.19 6.87-1.113 7.823-4.308c.953 3.195 2.05 9.271 7.733 4.308c4.267-4.308 1.172-6.498-2.74-7.078a8.741 8.741 0 0 1-.415-.056c.14.017.279.036.415.056c2.67.297 5.568-.628 6.383-3.364c.246-.828.624-5.79.624-6.478c0-.69-.139-1.861-.902-2.206c-.659-.298-1.664-.62-4.3 1.24C16.046 4.748 13.087 8.687 12 10.8\"  fill-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n              <\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Bluesky<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                                <a class=\"a2a_button_email\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"\/#email\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" title=\"E-mail\">\n            <span class=\"a2a_svg a2a_s__default a2a_s_print\">\n              <svg height=\"12\" viewBox=\"0 0 18 12\" width=\"18\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m8.14285714 9.42857143c-.17142857 0-.34285714 0-.51428571.08571428l7.28571427 6.34285719c.3428572.2571428.6857143.2571428.9428572 0l7.2857142-6.34285719c-.0857142-.08571428-.2571428-.08571428-.4285714-.08571428zm-1.28571428 1.11428567v.1714286 8.5714286c0 .6857143.6 1.2857143 1.28571428 1.2857143h14.57142856c.6857143 0 1.2857143-.6 1.2857143-1.2857143v-8.5714286c0-.0857143 0-.0857143 0-.1714286l-7.2 6.3428572c-.7714286.6857143-1.8857143.6857143-2.6571429 0z\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" transform=\"translate(-6 -9)\"\/><\/svg>\n            <\/span>\n            <span class=\"a2a_label visually-hidden\">Email<\/span>\n          <\/a>\n                  <\/span>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p>In the heart of America\u2019s capital, where the decisions that shape our nation and the world are made, a unique academic endeavor is bringing students at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences into the epicenter of political life.<\/p>\n<p>Last spring, USC Dornsife senior and <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/\">political science<\/a> major Alex Kavaldjiev and his classmates gathered at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dni.gov\/index.php\/nctc-home\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Counterterrorism Center<\/a> with center Director Christine Abizaid and Executive Director Celia Durall to learn about the center\u2019s mission of protecting our nation from terrorism. Just weeks before, Kavaldjiev had played the role of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/nsc\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Security Council<\/a> advisor in a class-wide simulation to understand the complex threats facing the United States.<\/p>\n<p>At the Pentagon, Isobel Smith, a senior majoring in international relations and public diplomacy, and her peers met with Deputy Press Secretary and USC Dornsife alumna Sabrina Singh \u201909 to discuss matters of U.S. foreign policy, giving real-world context to knowledge she gleaned from textbooks.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, junior Elizabeth Chen, a public policy major, took a tour of the White House underground, enjoying a night of bowling with fellow students at the famous Truman Bowling Alley.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19840\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19840\" style=\"width: 320px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19840 size-1x1_320\" src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryA-320x320.jpg\" alt=\"A woman makes a fight on hand symbol in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.\" width=\"320\" height=\"320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryA-320x320.jpg 320w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryA-500x500.jpg 500w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryA-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryA-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryA.jpg 980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 320px) 100vw, 320px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19840\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">USC student Elizabeth Chen at the Capitol.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>These activities were just a few of the ways students bridged theory with practice through the <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/dornsife-dc\/\"><strong>USC Dornsife Washington DC Program<\/strong><\/a>, an immersive, semester-long opportunity to study and work in the nation\u2019s capital.<\/p>\n<p>The program is more than an academic venture; it thrusts students into the dynamic whirlwind of our nation\u2019s decision-making process, where they don\u2019t just learn about policy \u2014 they live it.<\/p>\n<p>In a city teeming with history, students take courses drawn from areas with direct policy relevance, such as foreign affairs, the political process and national security, learning directly from practitioners who are experts in their respective fields and hold extensive experience.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have never been surrounded by so many people who are passionate about the same policies as I am,\u201d says Chen. \u201cWithin the cohort, at work or even at the grocery store, I always found myself interacting with brilliant people who never failed to teach me something new.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lawyer Markham Erickson has spent most of his professional career in Washington, D.C., in private practice representing internet, media and telecommunications companies in regulatory and policy matters and doing pro bono work in criminal justice. He knows firsthand how fresh perspectives can invigorate policy work.<\/p>\n<p>An advocate for innovative policy solutions, Erickson knew he wanted to support a USC program that inspired students to recognize their own power in shaping our systems of government. Donating to the Dornsife in Washington DC Program was a clear opportunity to do just that.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s great to have students come out to our nation\u2019s capital, to get involved in public service and to see our government at work,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Though he recently moved to a policy role at Google, his affinity for Washington drives his support for the program, which he sees as a powerful recruiting tool for careers in the capital.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur federal government is only as good as the people who work there,\u201d he says. \u201cWe need talented, smart and motivated young people to work in government, and USC has some of the best and brightest students in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Experiential learning in the capital<\/h2>\n<p>Outside the classroom, internships and co-curricular programming bring students face-to-face with the most influential people in the world. Speakers series, professional development workshops and visits to area attractions and institutions round out lectures with practical learning.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s hands-on experiences from left to right, whether it\u2019s at my internship working on programs with congressional appropriators, just walking around the National Mall or doing national security simulations in class,\u201d says Haley Veach, a junior majoring in political science and <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/undergraduate\/b-s-human-security-and-geospatial-intelligence\/\">human security and geospatial intelligence<\/a> who interned with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Department of Education<\/a>. \u201cEvery moment is a new experience that I\u2019ll never forget.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Veach, like all of her peers in the Dornsife in Washington DC Program, completed an internship during her time in the capital, working closely with USC Dornsife staff to find a position best suited for her professional goals and ambitions. That meant working with the Department of Education\u2019s Budget Service office to analyze fiscal data from the Rehabilitation Services Administration, with a focus on state grants for disability services.<\/p>\n<p>For senior Terry Wang, who is majoring in international relations with a minor in business law, his internship at the International Trade Administration allowed him to play a role in policymaking on a global scale.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_19843\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-19843\" style=\"width: 350px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-19843\" src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryB-500x338.jpg\" alt=\"People sit around a conference table.\" width=\"350\" height=\"236\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryB-500x338.jpg 500w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryB-768x519.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_InStoryB.jpg 980w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 350px) 100vw, 350px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-19843\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">USC students learn about the National Counterterrorism Center\u2019s mission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s not every day when you can go to work and be on a first-name basis with a Senate-confirmed official,\u201d he says. \u201cInterning at a federal agency gives you a unique opportunity to work alongside some of the most important policymakers in our country.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A major draw of the program is the opportunity for students to build their professional networks by meeting with high-profile politicos, some of whom are USC alumni.<\/p>\n<p>In spring 2023, this included a visit with Sens. Corey Booker, Kyrsten Sinema, Joe Manchin and Tim Scott, former Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, and then-Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. The visit was organized by Dornsife in Washington DC Program co-founder Frank Luntz, an experienced political consultant.<\/p>\n<p>Students also attended mentoring dinners with USC alumni in the area who helped them navigate the complexities of a career in the capital.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis program teaches you how to capitalize on the renowned Trojan network, which often leads to mentorships and job opportunities,\u201d says Smith, who interned with the U.S. Helsinki Commission during her semester in Washington.<\/p>\n<h2>USC Capital Campus: A new hub for Dornsife in Washington DC Program<\/h2>\n<p>Announced in March 2023, USC\u2019s new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.capitalcampus.usc.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Capital Campus<\/a> serves as a coast-to-coast bridge for interdisciplinary researchers and policy experts to address national and global challenges in closer collaboration with leading government and academic institutions. The Dornsife in Washington DC Program is the first to occupy the campus.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHaving USC put a flag here in the nation\u2019s capital sends a strong signal to USC students about the value of careers in government,\u201d says Erickson.<\/p>\n<p>The Capital Campus is a USC-owned hub for almost all of the program\u2019s activities, providing a dedicated space for holding classes and hosting guest speakers and panel presentations, as well as serving as a space for networking and public affairs events.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWith the new home, the Dornsife in Washington DC Program\u2019s first initiative will be to expand to include a robust series of summer activities for USC students interning in the nation\u2019s capital,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/profile\/jeffrey-fields\/\">Jeffrey Fields<\/a>, director of the program and professor of the practice of political science and international relations.<\/p>\n<h2>Expanding access through giving<\/h2>\n<p>For Erickson, supporting the Dornsife in Washington DC Program allows him to invest in the academic and professional journeys of students who will go on to shape our political future.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPublic service is a great way to serve your country and be part of developing solutions that address problems both big and small,\u201d he says. \u201cMy hope is that this program will change lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Contributions like Erickson\u2019s make it possible for students with financial need to participate more fully in unique USC Dornsife programming such as that found in Washington.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGenerous giving helped us form the most socioeconomically diverse cohort of students since the inception of the program more than 10 years ago,\u201d says Fields.<\/p>\n<p>These crucial gifts provide scholarship support, funds to defray the costs of unpaid internships and underwriting for activities in the capital that enable scholars to learn about policy firsthand.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrowing up across the world, I didn\u2019t know much about American politics,\u201d says Smith. \u201cThis semester has given me unparalleled insight into the institutions and people who run the country. I can\u2019t recommend this program enough!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n  \n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--article-related-stories \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--article-related-stories\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Related Articles\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n    \n                  <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/myanmar-earthquake-reveals-clues-about-future-quake-risk\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >What a devastating earthquake revealed about future quake risk<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/phd-student-studies-galapagos-tortoises-to-preserve-ecosystems\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >PhD candidate finds his field of dreams studying Galapagos tortoises<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n              <article>\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/is-it-wrong-to-have-too-much-money-your-answer-may-depend-on-deep-seated-values-and-your-countrys-economy\/\" \n                        class=\"\" \n      >Is it wrong to have too much money? Your answer may depend on deep-seated values \u2013 and your country\u2019s\u00a0economy<\/a>\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n        <\/article>\n            <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Dornsife Washington DC Program immerses students in real-world policymaking through internships and courses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":19850,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,17],"tags":[1944,1945,289,97],"class_list":["post-19839","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dornsife-global","category-student","tag-experiential-learning","tag-expl","tag-internships","tag-undergraduate"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"USC students meet Washington insiders and get real-world experience with national policymakers through internships and courses\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Dornsife Washington DC Program links students with policymakers\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"USC students meet Washington insiders and get real-world experience with national policymakers through internships and courses\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"USC Dornsife News\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-05-16T00:10:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-22T23:22:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1150\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Michael Liu\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@uscdornsife\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@uscdornsife\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Michael Liu\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\"},\"headline\":\"Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-16T00:10:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-08-22T23:22:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\"},\"wordCount\":14,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"experiential learning\",\"expl\",\"internships\",\"undergraduate\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Dornsife Global\",\"Student\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\",\"name\":\"Dornsife Washington DC Program links students with policymakers\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-05-16T00:10:42+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-08-22T23:22:32+00:00\",\"description\":\"USC students meet Washington insiders and get real-world experience with national policymakers through internships and courses\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg\",\"width\":2000,\"height\":1150,\"caption\":\"A group poses with the night time Washington DC skyline.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife News\",\"description\":\"USC Dornsife news and events\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization\",\"name\":\"USC Dornsife News\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg\",\"width\":1000,\"height\":330,\"caption\":\"USC Dornsife News\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/uscdornsife\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uscdornsife\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USCCollege\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/uscdornsife\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447\",\"name\":\"Michael Liu\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Michael Liu\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/author\/liumk\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital","description":"USC students meet Washington insiders and get real-world experience with national policymakers through internships and courses","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Dornsife Washington DC Program links students with policymakers","og_description":"USC students meet Washington insiders and get real-world experience with national policymakers through internships and courses","og_url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/","og_site_name":"USC Dornsife News","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife","article_published_time":"2024-05-16T00:10:42+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-08-22T23:22:32+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2000,"height":1150,"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Michael Liu","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@uscdornsife","twitter_site":"@uscdornsife","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/"},"author":{"name":"Michael Liu","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447"},"headline":"Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital","datePublished":"2024-05-16T00:10:42+00:00","dateModified":"2024-08-22T23:22:32+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/"},"wordCount":14,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg","keywords":["experiential learning","expl","internships","undergraduate"],"articleSection":["Dornsife Global","Student"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/","name":"Dornsife Washington DC Program links students with policymakers","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg","datePublished":"2024-05-16T00:10:42+00:00","dateModified":"2024-08-22T23:22:32+00:00","description":"USC students meet Washington insiders and get real-world experience with national policymakers through internships and courses","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/05\/Dornsife_DC_Top.jpg","width":2000,"height":1150,"caption":"A group poses with the night time Washington DC skyline."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/washington-dc-program-connects-usc-students-with-policymakers\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Students meet Washington insiders and connect theory with practice in the nation\u2019s capital"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#website","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/","name":"USC Dornsife News","description":"USC Dornsife news and events","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#organization","name":"USC Dornsife News","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/01\/USC-Dornsife-Cardinal-Black-on-White-RGB.jpg","width":1000,"height":330,"caption":"USC Dornsife News"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/uscdornsife","https:\/\/x.com\/uscdornsife","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uscdornsife\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/USCCollege","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/school\/uscdornsife"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/d03084ed5319ed7575c96017879a7447","name":"Michael Liu","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/16962c8d3900280cb2e47f931ab45f9c2432ea07c167e9c00a6c2f8a0ec3d61f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Michael Liu"},"url":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/stories\/author\/liumk\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19839"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19839\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21131,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19839\/revisions\/21131"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}