University of Illinois in Washington

Happy New Year, all! We're a week out from the new semester, and about a month away from our next IIW application deadline. To celebrate the new year and semester, we've just launched our newly-designed website. Visit us at https://washington.illinois.edu/, and keep an eye on this page for updates throughout the semester.

Illinois in Washington Home Apply Now!Contact IIWSchedule an Advising Appointment Classroom Location in D.C.  COVID-19 Update: For the Spring 2022 Semester, IIW is returning to a fully in-person format. Students will attend classes in-person and live in IIW-designated housing in Washington, DC. Illinois in Washingto...

Welcome back to campus, everyone! Illinois in Washington will be holding a virtual information session about the program on Tuesday, September 7th, 5:00-6:00 PM. Come learn how you can live and intern in D.C. for a semester, while also earning UIUC course credit. Register to attend the event and receive the Zoom link by visiting https://forms.gle/An5g5Laz4NNhYfNa7 Hope to see you there!

Lily interned with the D.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club in Spring 2021. As a non-political science major, she was wary of the utility that IIW might offer her, but found that she was granted an invaluable introduction to the non-profit world in D.C.

Environmental Non-Profit Work in the Nation’s Capital By Lily Rozenstrauch (Spring 2021) As an Earth, Society, and Environmental Sustainability major (ESES), and a minor in public relations, I didn’t know if IIW was the right program for me. Normally,…

Spring 2021 IIW Alum Anastaseya Kulikova lived in D.C. as the capital began to transition back to in-person life. Most of her work was done virtually, but she was still able to explore the city with an IIW classmate and start her professional network.

Interning Virtually from Inside D.C. By Anastaseya Kulikova (Spring 2021) Coming from the Windy City, my expectations for Washington, D.C. were high. After experiencing the historic monuments, the incredible restaurants, and the beaut…

Spring 2021 IIW Alum Cara Adams writes about her experience interning virtually at the National Women's Law Center in D.C. Cara extended her internship period and is continuing her work through this summer.

Interning at the National Women’s Law Center By Cara Adams (Spring 2021) For the IIW program I was able to find an internship through an internship job site. Initially I thought I may have been underqualified for the position, even still I wa…

In this blog post, Aimee discusses her experience working two internships during the Spring 2021 term, following her supervisor to his new company partway through the semester.

Finding Confidence Through Interning By Aimee Soto (Spring 2021) During my time in the Illinois In Washington program I had the privilege of obtaining not one but two internships. I began my journey at the Non-Commissioned Officers As…

Bailey discusses her experience as the sole intern in Senator Chuck Grassley's office in D.C. during the Spring 2021 semester.

Part of the Senator’s Team By Bailey Parks-Moore (Spring 2021) This spring, I had the opportunity to work as an intern in the office of Iowa senator, Chuck Grassley. Due to Covid, I was the only intern (as opposed to the nor…

To wrap up their semester, Spring 2021 Illinois in Washington students hosted a panel with former Illini and IIW students. They talked about transitioning from U of I to their careers, working on Capitol Hill, and developing professional networks!

Applications for the Fall 2021 term are being accepted now, and are due by April 30th, 2021! Visit our website for more information, including contact information for program staff and to make an advising appointment.

Joshua Zhao (Fall 2020) reflects on his semester interning with the Cato Institute in this blog post

A Meaningful Semester in Washington By Joshua Zhao (Fall, 2020) As an aspiring lawyer and social scientist, I have always felt that I lack some political science training and practical experiences working in the public policy world. …

In this blog, Nathan Blevins (Fall 2020) shares how the coronavirus pandemic impacted his experience interning on Capitol Hill.

Corona at the Capitol By Nathan Blevins (Fall, 2020)             The Coronavirus pandemic has made this a year like no other. Instead of going to classes, we hop on…

Interested in working for a US Senator? Khaliyah Davis (Fall, 2020) gives the scoop on what to expect in this blog post.

So You Wanna Work for a Senator? By Khaliyah Davis (Fall, 2020) This semester and entire year as a whole has been completely new to everyone andinternships were no different. With the COVID-19 pandemic we had to work remotely mean…