Academic Programs
Study in D.C.
Immersed, hands-on learning is integral to Wake Forest’s holistic approach to education.
To facilitate real-world engagement, the University has forged relationships with numerous agencies, organizations and individuals in the nation’s capital, many in close proximity to the Wake Washington Center. Through opportunities like internships, shadowing and mentorship, Wake Washington students experience real-time learning unique to on-the-job immersion.
To tie experiential learning with classroom instruction, students in the internship and study program also conduct independent research, making meaningful connections and providing cohesion to their inside- and outside-the-classroom experiences. Students intern Monday-Thursday full time and take classes in the evenings. Fridays are reserved for students to hear from alumni and parent speakers, special tours of museums, the Capitol, the Pentagon, etc., as well as networking with alumni, parents in their field of interest. Watch this video to hear what University leaders and D.C. area alumni have to say about Wake Washington.
Past Internship Providers
- American Enterprise Institute
- American Foreign Policy Council
- APCO Worldwide
- Center for Strategic & International Studies
- Cornerstone Government Affairs
- Hudson Institute
- US Asia Institute
- US Department of Defense
- US Department of Education
- US Department of State
- See Full List
Meet the Spring 2024 Students
Hometown: Fayetteville, NC
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minor: Latin American Studies
Internship: The Madison Group
Studied abroad?: Santiago, Chile
Favorite place on campus: The Intercultural Center
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Lina Benabdallah (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: I love playing soccer and reading science fiction books.
Campus involvement: BSA, Africasa, OLAS
Career/industry interests: I’m interested in working for a think tank/advocacy group or pursuing a PhD studying International Relations.
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I look forward to exploring Washington DC and getting to know the city and the people within it!
Hometown: Edgewater, FL
Majors: Politics & International Affairs, Religious Studies
Minor: Classical Studies
Internship: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Studied abroad?: Copenhagen, Dublin, London
Favorite place on campus: The fire pits
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Brian Tague (Biology)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, taking my dogs to the dog beach
Campus involvement: Student government, SBAC, SOC, Kappa Delta
Career/industry interests: Professor, lawyer, politics
If I had a superpower it would be: Telepathy
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Seeing the cherry blossoms!
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Majors: Politics & International Affairs, Sociology
Internship: Cornerstone Government Affairs
Studied abroad?: Dublin, Ireland
Favorite place on campus: Davis Field
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. James Morone (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, hiking, camping
Campus involvement: Mock trial, the Alexander Hamilton Society, Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity
Career/industry interests: Fertility and surrogacy law, public policy, public defense
If I had a superpower it would be: Fluency in any language
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Exploring a new city with new people and challenging myself with a demanding schedule
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Majors: History, Art History
Minor: Cultural Heritage & Preservation
Internship: White House Historical Association
Studied abroad?: Copenhagen, Denmark; Venice, Italy
Favorite place on campus: Scales
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Morna O’Neill (Art)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, spending time with friends, and crafting
Campus involvement: Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Concert Choir, and Episcopal Student Fellowship
Career/industry interests: Museums, politics, and communications
If I had a superpower it would be: Flying
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Learning more from my internship and spending time in DC
Hometown: Lake Forest, IL
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Arabic, Middle East & South Asian Studies
Internship: American Enterprise Institute
Favorite place on campus: Outside on the upper quad
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Tom Brister (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Watching TV or movies, reading, hanging out with friends
Campus involvement: Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity, Wake Climbing Club, IFC Judicial Board
Career/industry interests: National security careers
If I had a superpower it would be: Mindreading
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Experiencing DC and making friends in the cohort, gaining experience and making good contacts for the future.
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minor: Environmental Studies
Internship: US Department of Education – Office of Legislation & Congressional Affairs
Studied abroad?: Venice, Italy
Favorite place on campus: Davis Field
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry (Politics & International Affairs)
Favorite ways to spend free time: I love to play soccer, hike, and bake. I just love being outside.
Campus involvement: Women’s Club Soccer is my main love!
Career/industry interests: I am mainly interested in International Relations and Environmental Policy; however, I am always looking for new fields in which I can help mend socioeconomic disparity on the domestic level. That’s why I’m so excited to be interning at the OLCA at the Department of Education!
If I had a superpower it would be: To speak any language
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I’m most looking forward to establishing a routine and getting a taste of my career after college.
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Major: History
Minors: Politics & International Affairs, Contemporary Global Studies
Internship: US House of Representatives – Rep. Steve Cohen (TN)
Studied abroad?: London, UK
Favorite place on campus: Benson University Center
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Lisa Blee (History)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Kayaking or generally any outdoor activities
Campus involvement: Alpha Phi Omega; Campus Kitchen
Career/industry interests: US State Department, Foreign Service
If I had a superpower it would be: Shapeshifting
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Getting to live in DC and explore the area
Hometown: River Vale, NJ
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Journalism, Anthropology
Internship: US Department of Justice – Office of Public Affairs
Studied abroad?: Vienna, Austria
Favorite place on campus: Smith’s Cafe
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Ryan Shirey (English)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Going for walks, listening to music, and crocheting
Campus involvement: Wake Forest Writing Center, Her Campus, Kappa Alpha Theta
Career/industry interests: Political journalism and communications
If I had a superpower it would be: Telepathy
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Living in DC and exploring all it has to offer, and getting hands-on experience in political communications through my internship
Hometown: Tulsa, OK
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minors: Journalism, French
Internship: US Department of Commerce – SelectUSA
Studied abroad?: Copenhagen, Denmark; Amiens, France
Favorite place on campus: Upper quad
Favorite WFU professor: Prof. Justin Catanoso (Journalism)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Watching movies with friends and family
Campus involvement: College Democrats, Old Gold and Black, Alpha Kappa Psi, Tri Delta
Career/industry interests: Politician, press, workforce development, campaign management
If I had a superpower it would be: Teleportation
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Making new friends and connections for post grad
Hometown: Marietta, GA
Major: Politics & International Affairs
Minor: French Studies
Internship: US Senate – Sen. Jon Ossoff (GA)
Studied abroad?: Morocco and Nice, France
Favorite place on campus: ZSR Library (so many cool rooms, + the coffee shop).
Favorite WFU professor: Dr. Ryan Schroth (French)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Doing my weekly radio show, reading, and hanging out with friends.
Campus involvement: I’m most involved in Student Government, AEPi fraternity, and Wake Radio.
Career/industry interests: I’m interested in a career of public service, whether that’s in the field of politics or law.
If I had a superpower it would be: Flight! Free travel would be nice.
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: I’m super excited to start my internship role on the hill, and to explore DC!
Hometown: Jiangxi, China
Majors: Politics & International Affairs, Applied Statistics
Minor: Religious Studies
Internship: US Asia Institute
Favorite places on campus: Wellbeing Center, ZSR Library, upper quad
Favorite WFU professor: Prof. Elisabeth Whitehead (English)
Favorite ways to spend free time: Reading, listening to music, film photography, badminton, sleep
Campus involvement: Wake Debate
Career/industry interests: I am thinking about consulting, law, think tanks, and NGOs.
If I had a superpower it would be: Ability to pause time
What I’m most looking forward to this semester: Being able to live in D.C. and making valuable connections with different people
Wake Forest School of Law: D.C. Summer Judicial Externship Program
The D.C. Summer Judicial Externship Program (“DCSJE”) is an exciting opportunity that places first-year and second-year law students into unpaid summer externships at some of the most vibrant and influential courts and federal agencies in Washington, D.C. Students spend at least eight weeks during the summer externing at a participating court or agency in Washington, D.C. They also attend a weekly, evening experiential course that is tailored to judicial clerking. The course is taught by Professor Abigail Perdue, a former federal law clerk and author of The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking. DCSJE students hear from engaging guest speakers, have lunch with federal judges, and visit historical points of interest. Students are also paired with one or more Wake Forest University School of Law alumni living and working in the Washington, D.C. area, who mentor them throughout the summer.