Learn more about the Washington Semester Program.
Administered by the South Carolina Honors College at the University of South Carolina, the South Carolina Washington Semester Internship Program (WSP) gives students in universities and colleges across the state of South Carolina the opportunity to spend a semester working and taking classes in Washington DC, gaining valuable experience while earning academic credit toward their degrees.
In DC, Washington Semester Program Fellows get firsthand experience with the political process, obtaining skills that will help prepare them for careers in virtually any sphere. In the past, Washington Semester Program Fellows have attended important events, such as the inauguration ceremonies, White House arrival ceremonies for visiting head of states, joint sessions of Congress, and arguments before the Supreme Court. Recent seminars have featured meetings with White House personnel, the Deputy Attorney General, cabinet secretaries, senior TV network correspondents, lobbyists, embassy officials and other national leaders.
“I will never forget my internship with CNN, it was an incredible experience. After I finish my Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar program in Spain, I hope to become a medical correspondent for CNN en Espanol."-Jessica Silvaggio, Spring 2009 Fellow
“I will never forget my internship with CNN, it was an incredible experience. After I finish my Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar program in Spain, I hope to become a medical correspondent for CNN en Espanol."
-Jessica Silvaggio, Spring 2009 Fellow
Students also meet interesting and influential people, establishing contacts for personal and professional networking.
But it's not all work. Students have time to tour the monuments, explore the museums, and experience the international flavor of the world's most powerful capital.
The WSP is a state-wide program available to qualified students attending the following South Carolina colleges and universities:
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Classes end: Friday, April 19, 2013
Move-out deadline: Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Housing costs for academic year 2013/2014 is $4543. A $250 housing deposit is due at orientation. The remaining $4,293 can be divided into two payments, the first due one month before moving in and the second half when students pick up the house key from WISH. This does include a security deposit of $250, which may be returned if there is no damage to the student's room. The WISH office may work with students to set up a different payment plan to better coincide with scholarship money used for housing expenses. These arrangements are made directly with WISH.
Orientation Date: Saturday, April 6, 2013
Move In Dates: Sunday, September 1, 2013, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Semester Starts: Monday, September 2, 2013
Classes end: Friday, December 13, 2013
Move-out deadline: Friday, December 20, 2013 by noon
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 19, 2013
Interview date: Either Saturday, Oct. 5 or Sunday, Oct. 6 (if USC has a home football game on Saturday, the interviews will be held on Sunday, to avoid traffic problems for students driving from other campuses. If USC has an away game, the interviews will be held on Saturday.)
Orientation date: Either October 12 or October 19, based on other campus activities
More dates and information to come...
Steve Beckham, the Internship Placement Director (3rd from left) poses with Washington Semester Program alumni at a USC football game. From the left, the alumni are Caroline O’Neal, Alyssa Maute and Kevin Kowel.
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Click on the Application page for details about applying. For more information regarding the Washington Semester Internship Program, contact:
Beth WatsonDirector of Internship Programs
South Carolina Honors College, USC803-777-1180beth.h@sc.edu
FAX: 803-777-2214