Abigail Clark ‘26
News Editor
This past Thursday, students learned about the J.D. Power Center’s Washington Semester Program, an exciting opportunity for experiential learning. Christopher Murray, the Director of the program, Maryanne Finn, the Coordinator of Semester Programs, and three alumni spoke about the incredible aspects of living, interning, and learning in Washington D.C.
Christopher Murray spoke about the many wonderful experiences offered by the program and its potential to bring students closer to the Jesuit learning tradition. Students put into action their interest in public policy and politics through an immersive semester in Washington D.C. Murray reminded the crowd that public policy is not just for students majoring in political science or similar majors. The legislation crafted in Washington D.C. affects every aspect of life.
Each semester, the program places around twenty students in the nation’s capitol. Most participants are eligible to study abroad during their junior year in addition to participating in the D.C. Program. Students apply and interview at the beginning of the second semester, and continue the process of internship selection after receiving their acceptance. The program is competitive, as living and working in Washington D.C. is a life-changing opportunity.
The program itself is structured into three categories: an internship, an independent project, and a public policy seminar. The internship comprises the bulk of the semester, as students receive professional, first-hand experience, doing substantive work for the office of their choice. Students apply to various places of interest throughout Washington D.C. Students work at their internship 4-5 days per week. Past students served in advocacy roles with non-profits, lobbying firms, executive and legislative offices, and many more. The independent project is about a question related to the internship. Students write 40-45 pages and present the project at the end of the semester. Finally, the public policy seminar is held one night a week and is taught by Christopher Murray. The class does case studies on topics ranging from the legislative, bureaucracy, and courts. Each structural part of the semester program is highly immersive and comprehensive, giving students a well-rounded experience of the governmental, policymaking headquarters of America.
Aside from the work side of the program, students complete group activities around the city as well, which really builds a sense of community among the group. Visiting museums and going to sporting events around Washington D.C. are some of the recent, popular activities. Meeting with Holy Cross alumni is a very influential part of the program as well. Holy Cross alumni who live and work in D.C. come to talk with students in the program about their experiences. They are very eager to engage with students who share a similar passion for being in a policymaking hub.
The consensus among past participants is that the Washington Semester Program immersed them into a new, exciting world, helping them to realize their futures. It expanded their horizons and allowed them to do real work. The Holy Cross alumni working in Washington D.C. are are extremely passionate about what they do, and they share that enthusiasm with program participants.
The Washington D.C. Semester Program is an all-around incredible opportunity for students in every aspect. For more information, contact Christopher Murray, cmurrary@holycross.edu, and Maryanne Finn, mfinn@holycross.edu.
Featured Photo Curtesy of OpenVerse
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