Past students such as Yi Xu, Jess Clayton, Terrence Thrweat, Matt Flyr and Bradley Dioguardo have spoken positively of the Program.
Yi Xu ’12 (Interned for MLOV):
“As an international student, I find that the Washington Program is one of the most valuable programs in St. Mary’s College of Maryland. It offers a great opportunity for students to apply theoretical knowledge into real work, and it helped me on career choices and future plans in the United States.”
Jess Clayton ‘14 (Interned for US PIRG):
“The Washington Program was an incomparable experience that made me learn job specific skills and, maybe more importantly, the importance of networking– a skill that everyone should have under their belt. I finished the program with confidence in my future and a stronger sense of my interests.”
Terrence Thrweat ‘15 (Interned for Congressman Jeffries):
“I am glad to have taken part in the St. Mary’s Washington Program. The prestigious placements and the academically stimulating coursework, along with Professors Sahar Shafqat and Matthew Fehrs, enabled the 2014 cohort to live an experience that will stick with us for the rest of our lives!” said
Matt Flyr ‘16 (Interned at US PIRG):
“Aside from the on-the-job experience and the opportunity to explore a potential profession, the greatest thing the Program gave me was the chance to meet people far into their careers in Washington. As an Economics major, the chance to meet real Economists doing unique and diverse work in Washington (including an Economist at the Foreign Agricultural Service convincing other countries to buy our organic produce and a statistician at the BLS) was invaluable. I now realize that my education set me up for countless career opportunities, and have the names of people to contact as I launch that career.”
Bradley Dioguardo ‘15 (Interned for Congressman Andy Harris):
“I have been asked to do research for the press secretary and Congressman’s chief of staff regarding the decriminalization of marijuana and the structure of a commemorative coin bill. I have learned a great deal about the legislative process, especially how committees function. Congressman Harris is a member of the Appropriations Committee and through watching committee markups and seeing the other staffers in my office offer an amendment, I have learned a great deal about the process.”