Washington Internship Program

Since its founding year in 2000, the Washington Internship Program has sent 133 students to work in the US Congress. This Flinders program represents the greatest presence in Washington achieved by any university outside the United States.

The Washington Internship Program (WIP) runs for 8 weeks (January-February), with an alternative 17 week program – combining the Washington Internship Program with a Capital Semester Program (WIPCASP) also available (January-May). Students work full-time in the office of a member of the U.S. Senate or the U.S. House of Representatives. WIPCASP students also study at George Mason University to complete 2 topics.

The Washington Internship Program and the Combined Washington Internship/Capital Semester Programs provide unique and high quality work experience and employment training for students.

Both programs are open to enrolled Flinders University students who have met the pre-requisite topic requirements. Admission to the programs is by application only and is competitive.

For current students, the application form for the Washington Internship Program can be found here.

You will need to log into InPlace via this link, or download the InPlace App onto your OKTA. For any students who encounter issues accessing the application, please email us or call (08) 7421 9860.

If you are interested in partnering and supporting the Flinders Washington Internship Program – please get in touch with Dr. Luis da Vinha

If I had the chance to do this again, I would... you will make new friends, experience different cultures, see Washington up close, and develop all of your skills necessary to help you gain employment post-study.

Kyle Whenan (2022 Washington Internship Program Intern)

What you will do in Washington

The goal of the internship is to provide an experience of political life in an influential congressional office and the many tasks, priorities and pressures of that office.

There are two Washington Internship programs available for Flinders students: an 8-week program (the Washington Internship Program – WIP) and a 17-week program (the Washington Internship Program/ Capital Semester Program – WIPCASP) which includes two topics offered by George Mason university.

Successful applicants to the WIP and WIPCASP and are placed as interns in offices of United States senators and members of the US House of Representatives and on congressional standing committees.

Successful applicants to the Washington Internship programs work as political professionals. Offices of members of the US Senate and the US House of Representatives designate a staff member to be responsible for all interns in that office. Intern supervisors are made aware of the unique features of the Flinders University Washington Internship Program, particularly the requirement to produce a major research paper arising from the internship. The congressional office intern supervisor sets the daily tasks for the Flinders intern.

While in Washington, both groups of interns will conduct research on a project of interest to their congressional office and to themselves. When interns return from Washington they will give a formal oral presentation on their experiences in the program.

As emerging leaders for free societies, it is our responsibility to never forget the legacies of those who came before us, nor lose sight of the responsibilities we have to those who will come after us.

Jack Naismith (Spring 2019 Capital Semester Closing Ceremony)