Overview of the Grinnell-in-Washington DC Program

The Grinnell-in-Washington DC Program combines academic work with internship opportunities in the center of the U.S. government, with its wealth of political, non-governmental, and cultural institutions. The program takes place in the fall semester of each year.

Courses
GIW offers a course in policy-making every year plus a course in the visiting Grinnell faculty member's area of expertise. These courses are coordinated with the internship program so that they meet most frequently during the periods before internships begin and after internships end. During the internship period, the courses meet on Fridays.

Grinnell-in-Washington DC courses may be used for major credit or for cognate credit toward the major in a number of departments. Students should consult with their major advisers to determine which courses will count toward their major. In planning their curricula, students must consult not only their academic advisers, but also the Grinnell-in-Washington DC program adviser.

Internships
All GIW students undertake an internship, which provides practical experience in the work place. Students also partcipate in an internshp seminar, affording the opportunity to reflect on work experiences within an academic framework. Internship placements vary from working with a non-profit organization on urban housing issues to helping in a school for children with sepcial needs to participating in the behind the scences operations of a museum, performance hall, or gallery. Internships are arranged to fit the interests and experiences of individual studnets.

Internships are 10 weeks in length, Monday- Thursday, approximately 32 hours per week. Internships are arranged by the Washington Internship Institute (WII), which has more than 10 years of experience in placing students into internships throughout the Washington DC area.

Life in Washington DC
Students have a variety of housing options in and around DC, attend class right off Dupont Circle, and take multiple field trips within Washington DC.