Arcadia + American: Washington Semester Program in a Nutshell
Throughout the past few months, while choosing to make Washington D.C. my home for this spring semester, it’s come to my attention that not nearly enough people know about the wonderful program Arcadia partners with American University to offer. The Washington Semester Program (WSP) is a unique opportunity to explore a new city, network, make advancements in your career planning, and experience the benefits of having two university’s resources at your fingertips. I would highly recommend it to anyone feeling like they need an adventure. So, this is a guide to all things WSP– since it seems hidden in the shadows of the Arcadia community, I’m here to spread some awareness, information, and tips!
Applying: The application to WSP is exceedingly simple. Back in September, the first thing I did was talk with Arcadia’s WSP representative, Scott Terry, in the Civic & Global Engagement House, who gave me some information about the program and laid out the logistics regarding how my American courses would transfer back to Arcadia. I then had to propose my plan to my advisor, who was more than willing to make this semester happen for me and help me discern which types of courses I should prioritize taking in D.C. I then filled out American’s short application for WSP, which included submitting a transcript and resume, approval from Scott Terry, and a short write-up about how I believed being a part of WSP would help me advance my career path. I got into the program shortly after! Although, of course, deciding to go away for a semester can be a significant choice to make, the whole application process was definitely quick and painless.
Landing my D.C. Internship: Once you are accepted by the program, WSP internship advisors help you hit the ground running by providing resume and cover letter templates, curated advice in 1:1 meetings, and even personal LinkedIn tips. I made a spreadsheet in mid-October to keep track of my internship applications as well as continuously updating my advisor on statuses and new internships I had my eye on, which I quickly found unnecessary– I was offered a placement in the first internship I applied to (and my top choice)! I intern as a Policy & Research Analyst/Op-Ed Writer with the group Robert Weiner Associates News at the National Press Club. My internship advisor knows Robert Weiner personally through providing him with so many notable WSP interns over the years, so she put in a good word for me following my application. It is true that connections are everything, and an outstanding recommendation made all the difference in my application. Plus, Bob was super impressed by my resume and experience as well. I couldn’t be happier with my internship placement now being two months in; I’ve gotten the amazing chance to write about current events in the heart of the country, get my work published, and see prominent figures (like the Chicago mayor and NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander) speak at press conferences. WSP’s extremely individual internship application coaching is unique and valuable, and I am lucky that Arcadia’s partnership gave me access to these resources!
Professional Skills and Networking: Naturally, part of interning in a big city is learning how to thrive in a professional environment and make the most of creating connections and an identity for yourself in the workplace. This is my first-ever internship, the first time I’ve had to wear business casual attire on a regular basis, if you can believe it– it’s all definitely taken some getting used to, but my experience has been wholly positive. From being here only two months, I feel that my professionalism and ability to act under pressure, handle criticism, and take initiative on assignments and tasks have improved remarkably. Additionally, WSP staff absolutely never stop emphasizing the importance of networking, reminding us how quickly four months in D.C. can fly by. My well-connected professors have offered coffee chats, advice, and access to their own network of professionals as well as tips on how to cold message on LinkedIn and make the best impression on the most important person, your internship supervisor. I feel like “making connections” is such a vague idea to somebody who’s never before been immersed in an internship or experience in their desired field, but people here have really helped me take networking from an abstract concept to an actionable and doable practice. I have high hopes for landing a job if I return to a city like D.C. after graduating from Arcadia!
Housing and Transportation: WSP offers three housing options: doing an independent apartment search, living on American’s campus, or residing in Turnkey housing, which are special apartments for university students within large complexes in downtown D.C. Most WSP students choose Turnkey, and that’s what I did– best decision ever! Of course city housing is pricey, but WSP offers the chance to apply for their generous housing scholarships upon acceptance to the program. Receiving a scholarship definitely made the financial burden easier, as Turnkey is a bit more pricey than Arcadia’s housing. Turnkey provides absolutely everything you could need including furniture, cleaning supplies, kitchenware, linens, and even decorations, so moving in was no hassle at all. Fortunately, transportation is just as easy. American provides all WSP students with a UPass, a special card that gives you absolutely unlimited bus and metro trips for the duration of your time here. I have literally zero complaints about any aspect of this program, it’s all been so simple to navigate– and both Arcadia and American faculty have been there to help with any financial or logistical questions every step of the way.
Academics and Experiential Learning: The base academic plan consists of an internship three days out of the week and two for your courses, which include an internship practicum and two WSP-exclusive seminars (for a total of 12 credits). I chose the 15 credit option, meaning I added a regular American elective on top of this, just to take advantage of my resources while I’m here! I’m studying law, international peace and security, and domestic public policy, which aren’t exactly related to my Media & Communication major but are helpful to guide my interest in law school. Plus, my Arcadia advisor has helped me use my WSP studies to fill out some of my remaining Arcadia Undergraduate Curriculum (AUC) requirements. By far, the most special part of my education here has been the unparalleled opportunity for experiential learning in D.C. My classes have hosted countless notable guest speakers, including former White House Staff member and Jill Biden’s speech writer, Amber Macdonald. I have visited Congress twice, the UN, think tanks like The Atlantic Council and Brookings Institution, and have participated in large-scale international conflict-resolution simulations. Not only do these field visits and speakers help me understand and see firsthand how the workforce really functions, but they also help me network and build connections with professionals. Even for this reason alone, I believe WSP to be a program that ALL Arcadia students should be made aware of.
Domestic “Study Abroad” is Underrated. I say this as someone who spent last spring in London (which was one of the best four months of my life). Many people looking to go away for a semester may disregard something like WSP when Arcadia’s plethora of other amazing programs, like those in Spain, Australia, and Italy, are part of the same list. But, it is my personal opinion that although international travel is extremely important and valuable, there is also nothing like building connections in your desired field and sowing some career seeds in your own country, perhaps in a city that you might return to post-graduation. That is the goal of WSP: career advancement, real-world, professional opportunities, and the chance to immerse yourself in all kinds of fields related to politics, journalism, economics, data, law, and diplomacy. I would be surprised if this guide left you with any remaining questions, but Arcadia’s wonderful Civic & Global Engagement advisors are always more than happy to help you pick your next exciting journey– and I hope you give WSP some consideration!
