INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Washington Center

The Washington Center [http://www.twc.edu/] for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization serving hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington , D.C. for academic credit.   Students interested in internship opportunities in Washington DC apply to the Washington Center and indicate their area of interest. Once accepted, students get matched up with internships in a wide variety of areas, including Arts and Humanities; Business and Economics; Communications; Politics; Education; International Affairs; Legal Affairs and Criminal Justice; and Health, Science, and Environment. For a sampling of organizations at which past Washington Center Students have interned, take a look at this linked list (PDF file) or review the website: http://www.twc.edu/students/what_internship.shtml.

TESTIMONIAL

Amy Robinson on her Internship at the Washington Center

This past semester I participated in the Washington Center's internship program. I anticipated that I would learn a great deal about the human rights field and gain historical knowledge I did not have prior to this experience. I was also confident that the experience of living in a city and working an eight hour day would potentially change my lifestyle. However, I did not predict the effect the experience would have on my general approach to life. It has given me a greater appreciation for the good fortune I have had. I also feel I have become more responsible as a result of this experience.

My internship was at the Fund for Global Human Rights. This organization provides groups throughout the world [currently Latin America, Southeast Asia, North Africa, West Africa, and East Africa] with grant funds to promote human rights work. Many of the human rights issues that are prevalent in these regions are generally overlooked by citizens of the United States. This is likely not a result of U.S. citizens’ lack compassion or empathy, but rather because many are not aware of atrocities occurring throughout the world. My internship provided me with the opportunity to gain a greater understanding for what others experience on a daily basis.

I examined many patterns that have occurred through human rights in the history of the United States. In a final research paper I analyzed HIV/AIDS policies of the current U.S. government. The Fund is currently attempting to begin funding grassroots organizations within the United States, and after discussing the topic with my boss, it was decided that HIV/AIDS issues would allow for the smoothest transition for the small organization to begin domestic funding. I researched the country’s history of repressing reproductive rights and the evolution many of those policies have taken, as is reflected in HIV/AIDS policies. I also did a great deal of research on many other human rights issues in the United States, including treatment of suspected terrorists, police brutality, prison abuse, and hunger and homelessness. For each of these issues, I researched the historical patterns that have led up to their current issues and shared them with my organization. I worked a great deal with the people in my organization to use my historical knowledge that I have gained from both courses at the University of Iowa as well as the research I completed on each topic to advise them on future endeavors within the United States. Discovering how much of my U.S. history knowledge could be applied to such an incredible organization was mind-blowing. I am grateful that I was able to participate in activities that applied to my major while greatly helping the organization make future decisions.

Another goal that I felt was important for me to accomplish through this experience was to gain knowledge about human rights violations occurring throughout the world. As a result of the internship, I have been able to read documents written by grassroots organizations attempting to solve a variety of human rights problems, I have spoken with experts in the field, and I have had the opportunity to examine the causes of these issues. I have heard, first hand, the experiences of human beings whose human rights are being violated. When organizations apply for a grant at the Fund for Global Human Rights, their proposal must include a detailed account of their need for funds. These proposals have taught me about issues I had never imagined would occur to human beings. Organizations focus their efforts on problems including right to food campaigns, anti-caste system programs, gay/lesbian rights, environmental issues, etc. There are also many instances in which people are fighting to simply to stop oppression (which is at times violent oppression) by the government for practicing a religion that is different from the government-endorsed one, for protecting women from rape, etc.

Due to the fact that I am a history major and obtaining some history credit through my internship, a main focus of mine has been to study events that have occurred and patterns that have been observed throughout history which have caused these human rights violations to be perpetuated. Although I have read about these issues in other classes or through multiple media outlets, first-hand accounts make these problems seem much more real. There are people who dedicate their lives to helping others, even perhaps risking their own lives, because they believe in these causes so deeply. Their passion has had a profound effect on me.