Hobart and William Smith Colleges

YOUR SUMMER IN WASHINGTON STARTS HERE

Live and work in Washington, D.C., through a fully funded summer program that combines a professional internship with housing, mentorship, networking and opportunities to experience the nation’s capital.

The Frelinghuysen D.C. Summer Internship Program supports HWS students each summer as they gain professional experience with congressional offices, government agencies, think tanks, nonprofit organizations, advocacy groups and other organizations throughout Washington.

Students spend the summer building relationships with HWS alums and professionals, exploring the city and learning firsthand how careers in government, policy, advocacy, communications and other fields take shape.

MORE THAN AN INTERNSHIP

Washington is a city built on relationships. The Frelinghuysen Program gives students the opportunity to start building their own.

Alongside their internships, students participate in professional forums, networking opportunities, cultural excursions and community service. They meet people working on and off Capitol Hill, learn from HWS alums and other professionals and experience a city at the intersection of politics, policy and public life.

"One brief conversation leads to a string of connections with people who share your interests. The support I received from our alumni network has allowed me to meet accomplished individuals on and off the Hill.” Meredith Montgomery ’27, Intern in the office of U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik.

WORK IN WASHINGTON

Gain hands-on experience through an internship aligned with your interests and career goals. Students contribute to meaningful work while learning how congressional offices, government agencies, nonprofits, advocacy organizations and other institutions operate.

LIVE IN THE CAPITAL

Housing is provided, removing one of the biggest financial barriers to pursuing a summer internship in Washington. Living alongside other members of the Frelinghuysen cohort also creates a built-in community for navigating internships and experiencing the city together.

BUILD YOUR NETWORK

Meet HWS alums and professionals working throughout Washington. Through mentorship, networking events, site visits and informal conversations, students develop relationships that can lead to advice, introductions and new possibilities.

EXPERIENCE D.C.

Discover the city beyond the workday through cultural excursions, professional programs and other cohort activities. Students also participate in community service, connecting their professional development with the program’s emphasis on civic engagement and public service.

Frelinghuysen participants pursue internships that reflect a wide range of academic interests and career goals. The inaugural cohort worked across government, policy, advocacy and communications, contributing to congressional offices and organizations focused on national security, automotive policy, health advocacy, political communications, international trade and more.