Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Sanford’s Study-Away Program in Washington, DC

Each year at the start of a new spring semester at Duke University, a group of students voyage to Washington, DC, to carry out their studies and complete an internship in the nation’s capital. Along the way, they gain new perspectives about themselves and the policies that influence the world around them.

Sponsored by Duke’s Global Education Office and the Sanford School of Public Policy, the Duke in DC: Policy, Leadership & Innovation program celebrated its 10th year this spring semester with 11 students studying away in Washington, DC.

“I truly enjoyed the opportunity to take four different classes with the same group of students. Over the course of the semester, we engaged in thoughtful debates with each other in the classroom that oftentimes spilled over into hours-long conversations in the home where we all lived. This dynamic pushed me to truly consider my own stances on different policy issues in a way I haven’t before.” – Chloe Decker, Trinity ‘25

Mirroring their unique backgrounds and interests, each member of the 2023 student cohort interned at a range of places across the capital, including in both chambers of Congress, the Departments of Education and Commerce, the Public Defender Service, the US-ASEAN Business Council, and several policy advocacy firms.

“From my internship at the U.S. Department of Commerce, I learned about the extremely nuanced considerations that must be made by leaders in government agencies to implement policy most effectively. My internship has shown me the tremendous responsibility that federal employees in the executive branch have when ensuring a policy or program leads to its intended outcomes.” – Zach Dobson, Trinity ‘24

Throughout the school year, the students also embarked on a variety of class excursions, meeting with key Duke alumni and touring quintessential DC attractions. From local institutions like Ben’s Chili Bowl to the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, each student got a real taste of what it’s like to live and work in DC.

Over the course of the semester, we engaged in thoughtful debates with each other in the classroom that oftentimes spilled over into hours-long conversations in the home where we all lived. This dynamic pushed me to truly consider my own stances on different policy issues in a way I haven’t before.”

Chloe Decker, Trinity ‘25

Former Young Trustee Amy Kramer, Trinity ‘18, took the students on a tour of the Pentagon and organized a series of meetings with senior defense officials to discuss career opportunities that blend public service and national security.

Bringing it closer to home, the group met with North Carolina’s senior Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his staff to discuss their experience in DC and learn about Senator Tillis’s path to public office.

“I found it eye-opening to engage with a member of Congress with a different political perspective, especially through the lens of my Hill internship this semester.” – Sam Sreeram, Trinity ‘24

A flagship experience of this year’s Duke in DC program included a student-organized Alumni Conference celebrating the program’s 10-year anniversary. The two-day event included multiple panel discussions with Duke in DC alumni, as well as an evening reception where the current students were able to learn about potential career paths in Washington, DC, and beyond.

When considering the spring semester in review, the academic and real-world experiences the Duke in DC program offers provide a rich launchpad for Duke students to explore future careers and think critically about the impact they want to make on the world.