Photo Friday!

Happy EARLY Halloween Washington Semester!

This Friday's photo features two of our part-time staff members, Devin and Billy, who are both AU Students and work in the Washington Mentorship office.  In spirit of the holiday, they came to work dressed up.  Do you have plans for the holdiay weekend?  Did you know that you can go trick-or-treating along embassy row?  Most college students take this opportunity to dress up and get some free goodies since American University is next to Embassy Row.  It starts at 3:30 pm TODAY and lasts until 6pm.  However, embassies might close as early as 5 so make sure you go early!  And make sure you dress up!  Be safe and have a fun weekend everyone!

Hello Readers!

 Our blog has reached 736 individual page views from all around the world!  We've had readers from the United States, Germany, Chile, Canada, France, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Colombia, and Spain! Welcome to all and I hope you keep reading!

Photo Friday!

It's photo Friday again folks!  This time, I'm not going to tell you where this photo was taken.  Can anyone guess? I'll give you a clue.  It's somewhere on main campus and the flags from left to right are DC's flag, AU's flag, and the American flag. 

Photo Friday!

HAPPY FALL BREAK EVERYONE!

Did you decide to travel this weekend?  Tenley campus seems empty today.  It's still a beautiful fall day regardless.  If you're still in Washington for the weekend, check out the Washington Post's Going Out Guide.  http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/dc-events.html.  Looks like there's an Antique and Classic Car Show in Rockville tomorrow. 

Tenley Campus

Virtual Tour

A few weeks ago, we posted a link to the AU web cams that are strategically placed around campus.  As we mentioned, the live feed comes in handy not only when judging the weather but also when exploring all that AU has to offer!  If you can't come to AU for a visit, why not check it out online?

Another great online resource is the American University Virtual Tour!  This interactive map allows you to click on almost every building on campus.  You can even scroll over to Tenley campus and get a feel for life at Washington Semester.

Check it out!

American University Virtual Tour

Sudan Freedom Walk

American University’s Washington Semester Program showed how they are involved with ending social injustice by participating in the Sudan Freedom Walk. The purpose of the walk was to “…end injustice, genocide, and modern slavery.” There was a panel discussion on October 6^th and the speakers included Simon Deng, who is a former slave, and Dr. Abdelgabar Adam, who is a refugee from Darfur. Then, on October 7^th, there was the walk to the White House.

The Peace and Conflict Resolution Program from the Washington Semester Program was involved with this walk and was diligent in making a change by bringing awareness to the global issues. By the student’s being active participants, it highlights one of American University’s greatest qualities: student action. The students are active citizens that desire to make a change on the world any way they can. There is no better city than Washington, DC to be active and ignite change within the community, country, and the world.

Any student can put their thoughts or ideas into action to have a positive impact and have others join their movement or cause. American University is all about student action and all are welcome to have their ideas flourish.

Super Photo Friday

Hello readers!

Since we missed last 'Photo Friday', we've got some extra photos today! If you've been on main campus lately, you might have noticed some "Party Animals" on the quad.  Check them out:

Elephant with the East Quad Building in the background.

Donkey with the Bender Library in the background.

Party Animals!

 . . .

Are you missing your wheels from home while at American University?  If you haven't figured it out by now, DC is definitely not a good place for driving.  Plus, student parking is a bit pricey.  Here's a great solution: ZipCars!   We've got several parked around American University.  For instance, this beauty below is right outside Capital Hall on Tenley Campus!  For more information, go to: http://www.american.edu/finance/transportation/zipcar.cfm

Convertible Mini Cooper anyone?

Webcam

Do you want a bird's eye view of AU?  No problem!  Click HERE for AU's webcams around campus.  Even if you're in another country, you can visit American University via the web.  Check out the beautiful main qaud and other locations around campus.  It comes in handy when figuring out what the weather is like. 

Click here!

Photo Friday!

It's another gorgeous day in DC!  Fall is officially here; however, the high today is expected to be 94 degrees!  Here's a picture of Tenley campus today as students walk to class.  Have you ever seen such a green campus?

Tenley campus facing the Dunblane building

Comments on the Graduate Gateway Program

"The Gateway New Media and Communications semester at American University was an amazing opportunity for growth. The graduate-level seminars and my internship at National Geographic allowed me to expand on my undergraduate education, narrow my focus of interest in the communications and marketing fields, and prepared me in a unique and elevated way to enter the work force.  Among the highlights were meeting with legendary journalists such as CBS newsman Bob Schieffer; touring the White House and the Senate Press Gallery; sitting in on an oral argument with the Justices at the Supreme Court, and sailing across the Chesapeake Bay with Maryland policy makers to learn how the media impacts environmental issues. I also got to live in the heart of Washington, D.C., one of the world's most beautiful and influential cities.  Our professor, Iris Krasnow, encouraged me to find my passion, and really connected me with the specialty in the field of Communications that best suits me.  I am thrilled to announce that shortly after completing the Graduate Gateway Program, I was hired as the Marketing Coordinator for a nationally-know architecture firm based in Georgetown. Without Professor Krasnow's encouragement, without the exposure, and without the jump-start the program provided, I would not have landed the job of my dreams. My semester was indeed a Gateway!"

 
-Lia Roth, 2009 graduate, Roanoke College

Alumni Success Story

Former Washington Semester Program student, Jessica Buranovsky, had her DC experience published in her school's newspaper!  Read her article here.

Jessica attends Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  She participated in the Public Law class of fall 2009.  Here in DC, Jessica interned with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  It went so well the EPA offered her a continuation of her internship for over the summer.  I don't want to spoil the story, so click here to find out why Jessica wrote, "My decision to study in Washington, DC turned out to be one of the best and most influential decisions of my life."

New Photos!

Good afternoon followers!  Just a friendly reminder that we've updated our Flickr account!  There are more pictures available from the Fall 2010 Transforming Communities and Public Policy, Foreign Policy, and Journalism and New Media programs.  Check them out here: PICTURES!

Here's a sample:

Photo Friday!

Entrance to Capital Hall (student dorms)

Get to Know the Student Bloggers: Part 5

Our fifth blogger hails from New Hampton, New Hampshire and plans on giving a new feel to politics.

Devin Coleman is a junior participating in the Washington Semester American Politics Program this fall.  He is a Political Science major with a focus in Law and Society at Clark University in Massachusetts.  Over the summer, Devin interned with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts.  He is very politically active; he is currently managing a campaign for Ronal Madnick as he runs for Worcester 13th District in the MA House of Representatives.  In addition, he is interning this semester with the Democratic National Committee.  Devin has tremendous passion for politics and is a rising star to look out for in the future.

Welcome Devin!

To read Devin's blog, click here!

I recommend reading his entry "Five Day Weekend" and learn about some fun things to do while in DC on the weekends!

A word from Washington Mentorship...

"They have been looking high and low for the past three weeks, and most of them have succeeded at finding one.  This week was the finale of those efforts.  This week the Mentorship students went to work.  Freshman interns are rare in the capital city, but it is a requirement for those lucky enough to be in the Washington Mentorship Program. 

The chance to intern your first semester is what makes the WMP.   While it may be stressful to find one, and a challenging work experience, the students are happy at the end of their experience, because it lets them see what kind of work they would truly enjoy doing, and in that respect it helps them plan out their college curriculum.

So while it may be scary and frightening at first, we know that the students in the WMP program will be stronger and more insightful after their internships.  So here's to them.  Good luck this semester!"

-Billy Erickson, Washington Mentorship Program Assistant

Washington Mentorship Students Fall 2010

Photo Friday!

It's another beautiful day in the neighborhood ladies and gentelmen! We're going to start posting a new photo around campus every Friday, ergo "Photo Friday"!  Washington, DC is 69 degrees right now and mostly sunny, high of 78.  

Tenley Campus facing Tenley Cafe

4th Annual Caroline and Ambassador Charles Adair Memorial Lecture

On September 1, 2010, students from the Washington Semester Program ,Washington Mentorship Program, and the Washington Semester Graduate Gateway Program came together for the Fourth Annual Caroline and Ambassador Charles Adair Memorial Lecture.  It was standing-room only in the Kay Spiritual Center on American University's campus as the keynote speaker J. Stapleton Roy took the stage.   J. Stapleton Roy, vice chairman of Kissinger Associates, director of the Kissinger Institute on China and the U.S. at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, discussed China's rapidly growing economy and its relationship to the United States.

The students were truly enlightened - hear from one of them below:

"After a group lunch at the Tenley Cafe, all three groups came together for a lecture on the AU main campus with former U.S. Career Ambassador J. Stapleton Roy.  His speech was really good and very interesting.  I was really grateful that I could listen to such an inspiring man.  I think the future of China and its relationship with its neighbors and the rest of the world, especially the USA, is one of the most interesting themes in international relations today.  If one country makes a mistake then there can be tremendously dangerous consequences for the whole world."  - Kilian Zitxelberger, Germany, Washington Semester Program International Business and Trade Student

Students with J. Stapleton Roy

For more on this event, visit our website and read the article: http://www.american.edu/washingtonsemester/news/detail.cfm?newsID=D903BAAE-A016-022C-68326173D9A1D050



To see more pictures from this event, visit our Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/washingtonsemester

Get to Know the Student Bloggers: Part 4

Our fourth blogger decided to spend her final semester in college at American University's Washington Semester Program.  That's dedication!

Laurel Buckley is a graduating senior from Monmouth College in Illinois.  She is majoring in Political Science and Public Relations.  At Monmouth, Laurel is active in the theater, Greek life, band, and Political Science Honor Society.  Her main reason for participating in Washington Semester Program is to gain real-life political campaigning experience.  She would also like to stay in DC after graduation.  Laurel explained that now was the perfect time to join the American Politics program with WSP because of the mid-term elections.  Even though she could have graduated a year early, Laurel is determined to get the most out of Washington Semester Program before graduation!

Welcome Laurel!

To read Laurel's blog, click here!

I recommend reading her entry "WASSA" and learn about the activities that are being planned by students for the students!

Get to Know the Student Bloggers: Part 3

Our third blogger could be classified as a Washington Semester Program legacy since her mother participated in the Economic Policy Program back in 1976!

Gabby Pedriani is a junior from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.  She is majoring in Communications with a specialization in radio, TV, and film.  When considering the move from the state of Wisconsin to Wisconsin Avenue in Washington, DC, Gabby was motivated by the opportunity to apply what she has learned in  college thus far to her internship.  Gabby has successfully landed an internship with the BBC.  She is still unclear what she will do post-graduation; however, she is using this semester in DC to narrow down the field. 

Welcome Gabby!

To read Gabby's blog, click here!

I recommend reading her post "Frangipani Plumeria" which talks about her trip the the US Botanic Gardens!

Get to Know the Student Bloggers: Part 2

Our second blogger admits to being influenced by famous television shows, but still aspires to become the next C.J. Cregg...in real life of course.

Kiki Reginato is a New York native participating in the Washington Semester Journalism and New Media Program this fall.  She is currently a junior from Wheaton College in Massachusetts.  Kiki is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Journalism.  She applied to the Washington Semester Program in hopes to bulk up her resume and gain work experience.  In the future, Kiki would love to be a District Attorney or a White House Press Secretary.

Welcome Kiki!

To read Kiki's blog, click here!

I recommend reading her post, "What to Wear - Not Just a Bravo Show" for helpful hints on work-appropriate fashion.

Get to Know the Student Bloggers: Part 1

Our first blogger flew-in from the great state of Washington to study at American University in Washington, DC.  Clearly, we all can guess which Washington she'll prefer come December.

Soon Lee is a junior at Skidmore College.  She is specializing in International Affairs and International Law.  After college, she plans on going into the Peace Corps and hopefully working in Lebanon.  Soon's primary motivation for participating in Washington Semester Program was the internship.  She never had real-world work experience prior to this program.  Soon also added that the Washington Semester Program can help students gain that work experience all while juggling school work and life in general. 

Welcome Soon!

To read Soon's blog, click here!

I recommend reading her post entitled, "Comparative Social Movements Class" to get an insider's view into that seminar class.

Student Bloggers

Washington Semester Program has initiated an exciting new online tool...STUDENT BLOGS!  Read posts from current students and check out their WSP expereinces!  They'll tell you all you need to know about the program, seminars, guest speakers, field trips, internships, and just life in general as a Washington Semester Student!  You'll find the links to their blogs on the left-hand side of the screen as well as listed below!

Gabby Pedriani
Kiki Reginato
Laurel Buckley
Soon Lee

Welcome Week!

Check out the video from Washington Semester Program Welcome Week Fall 2010!  Take a few minutes to meet our students as they begin their awesome journey this semester. You'll see that they come from all parts of the U.S.. . and the world! 

Welcome Week Video
Click here to watch the Welcome Week video!

Fall 2010 Underway

The Washington Semester Program fall class of 2010 is off and running!  Orientation was last week and we welcomed 386 new students to Washington, D.C.  We even broke our own record for number of international students in a given semester.  Can you guess the total of international students participating in Washington Semester right now?

The answer is 183!  We have students from Norway, Sweden, Germany, France, Colombia, Korea, China, Japan, Mexico, and Denmark - just to name a few!

If you didn't already know, the Washington Semester Program is the parent program to four additional programs: Washington Mentorship Program, Graduate Gateway Program, Summer Internship Program, and Washington Internships for Native Students.  This semester there are 102 Mentorship students of which 24 are international students.  Also, the Graduate Gateway Program welcomed 49 students for its second semester since introduction last January!

That's a grand total of 537 students!  This could be you one day!

To all of our students: Congratulations on your first week of class and best of luck for this semester!

Hello Bloggers!

The Washington Semester Program at American University has started a blog!  We wanted to create a place where current students, prospective students, and alumni could keep track of all that's going on.  We plan on posting events, news stories, program updates, videos, and links to student blogs through this site.  So get connected and follow us for all your WSP news!