Washington Internship Program

Since 2000, Flinders has sent over 120 students on a unique program which provides a placement in the US Congress.

The Washington Internship Program (WIP) runs for 8 weeks, with an alternative 17 week program, combining the Washington Internship Program with a Capital Semester Program (WIPCASP), also available.

Students work full-time in the office of a member of the United States Senate or the US House of Representatives, providing an opportunity, unparalleled in Australasia, to experience political life in Washington DC. WIPCASP students also study at George Mason University to complete 2 topics.

Both programs are open to enrolled Flinders University students, who have met the pre-requisite topic requirements. Admission to the programs is by application only and is competitive.

Download Application Form

Contact Professor Don DeBats

Download Brochure

The opportunity to gain international work experience made Flinders a natural choice for me. I undertook the Washington Internship Program which was incredible. I also did an internship with the United States Consulate General in Melbourne last year and found learning about diplomacy really fascinating”.

Molly Stephens (2018, Sen Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York)

What you will do in Washington

The goal of the internship is to provide an experience of political life in an influential congressional office and the many tasks, priorities and pressures of that office.

You will be assigned to a US Senate or House of Representatives office, where a congressional office supervisor will set your daily tasks.

A requirement of the internship is that you produce a research paper. The topic of that paper will be worked out by you, Flinders University's Professor of American Studies and Politics and your congressional office supervisor.

Students applying the internship list three preferred areas of policy or partisan interest and every effort is made to match student interest with the interests of the offices offering placements.

The 2 months I spent in Washington D.C were transformative in more than a professional sense - lifelong friends were made as well as deep love for the city itself. Interning on Capital Hill is a unique opportunity to network, develop practical skills that compliment your degree in Australia, and learn about the American political system in a hands-on environment...my only regret was that I could not stay longer.

Sarah Jenkin-Hall (2016, Sen Kirsten Gillibrans, D-New York)

More news

Washington Internship student experiences

Now, as The Funds for American Studies alumni, and emerging leaders of free societies, it is our responsibility to never forget the legacies of those who came before us, nor lose sight of the responsibilities we have to those who will come after us.

Jack Naismith (2019 Capital Semester Closing Ceremony speech)

Application dates

Internship applications open	April 2020
Internship applications close	August 2020

An information guide will be published here when applications open.

Download Application Form

What you will do in Washington

Washington Internship student experiences

Application dates

Information for

Directories

Follow Flinders

Washington Internship Program

What you will do in Washington

Washington Internship student experiences

Application dates

Information for

Directories

Follow Flinders

This website uses cookies