AU Gap was an awesome experience!
The American University Gap Program provided me with a semester of experience in Washington, DC that was truly unique to the school and the city. The program involves one course through American University and an internship. The course I took during my semester was American Politics focusing on Justice and Law. Through that class, we visited many locations that are exclusive to Washington, DC. My favorite visit was to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. We received a very in-depth tour of the facility, which was truly exciting as visitors are rarely allowed to see the school behind the scenes. We even toured their mock town where they hold many training events. The second part of my experience was an internship three days a week at the Earth Day Network. This organization is an NGO focused on climate change and the environment. Through my internship, I was able to gain some real work experience. I wrote blog posts for the organization and helped with outreach to South American countries for Earth Day festivities. We also hosted a rally on the National Mall with many guest speakers and musicians, I was able to work backstage at this event. My professor and advisors at American University were extremely supportive throughout the internship application process. They made sure that we were going through the right steps and helped us to strengthen our resumes and interview skills. Another great piece of the program is that you are housed on the college campus. This allows you to participate in all the clubs, organizations, and special events that any college student has access to. Living in Washington, DC also allows you to get involved in just about any topic you could imagine, and there are many special events and festivals that are easy to take advantage of during your time in the city. I would recommend this program to any student is interested in experiencing Washington, DC, living on a college campus, and interning in a political town!
