Lafayette students can spend a semester in the nation's capitol taking courses for full credit and completing an internship related to their field of study through a program at American University. Upon successful completion, they earn 12-16 American University credits (depending on program choice) that are transferrable.

Each semester, approximately 400 students from more than 150 colleges and universities participate in one of 12 programs-American politics, economic policy, foreign policy, IT and telecom policy, international business and trade, international environment and development, journalism, justice, peace and conflict resolution, public law, transforming communities, women and public policy.

The semester has three parts:

Seminar—Students receive a schedule from their professor for the next week's activities, which include field trips, reading assignments, discussions, debates, class presentations, and the agenda for guest speakers who are experts in their field (about 50 per semester).

Internship—Students are assisted in finding an internship related to their field. The university has an online database with more than 2,000 different internships at thousands of sites in the D.C. metro area. Students intern for two days a week when they are not in seminar classes.

Research Project or Elective Class—Students conduct an in-depth research project or take an elective class.

Student Perspectives In the American Politics track, Noah Goldstein '04, a government and law major, spends two days each week interning for Sen. Jack Reed, (D-Rhode Island) from his home state (more on Goldstein). “My first two years of study at Lafayette have helped me develop curiosity for many of the issues that are dealt with at the Washington Semester American Politics program,” Goldstein says. “While I have tremendously valued the program in D.C., I also have a deeper appreciation for academics at Lafayette.” Another participant, Meghan Oakley '04, is focusing on affordable housing legislation and substance abuse policy. A religion and politics major, is in the Transforming Communities (community development and social policy) track and is interning in the public policy department of the national office of Volunteers of America, Alexandria, Va.

In an EXCEL Scholars project, Noah Goldstein '04 studies the foreign policy of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon with Ilan Peleg, Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law.

Simmone Chaddan '04 checks sound and lights for the Ntozake Shange play that she directed.

In the Women and Public Policy track, Simmone Chaddan '04, a double major in English and government and law, is interning with the United States Chamber of Commerce and its new Access America program. Led by Reta J. Lewis, former director of political affairs, Clinton administration, the program works to gain partnership, opportunity, and capital for women- and minority-owned businesses. In addition, Deborah Rhebergen '03, a government and law major, is in the American Politics track, and Alvin Lyte '03, economics and business, is enrolled in Economic Policy.