The District
2020 is the perfect time to enroll at NYU Washington, DC. Being in Washington during a presidential election year provides an inside view of history in the making.
Washington, DC, also reffered to as The District, is the capital of the United States. Founded on July 16, 1790, after the American Revolution, as the seat of government of the newly independent country. All three branches of the U.S. government are centered in the District: Congress, the president, and the Supreme Court. The city hosts 177 foreign embassies as well as the headquarters of many international organizations, trade unions, non-profits, lobbying groups, and professional associations, including the World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organization of American States, AARP, the National Geographic Society, the Human Rights Campaign, the International Finance Corporation, and the American Red Cross. The District is an important world political capital.
For students who are intersested in politics, finance, and global issues, The District provides incredible opportunities to have a front-row seat to history. With 2020 a presidential election year, students spending the fall in Washington, DC will be privey to the insiders view of the political process.
Policy and Politics Course Offerings
Special Events
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Librarian of Congess
Broadcast journalist Ray Suarez discusses the innovation taking place at the Library of Congress with the Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden
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Actress Taraji P. Henson
Students attend to see Actress Taraji P. Henson Testify at Congressional Black Caucus Youth Suicide Forum with NYU McSilver's Dr. Michael Lindsey
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Vice President Joe Biden
NYU DC hosted Vice President Joe Biden for a keynote on the American political system
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Ambassador Daniel Mulhall
Ambassador Daniel Mulhall visits NYU DC to discuss Brexit and the role Ireland has to play
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Bakari Sellers
CNN political commentator Symone Sanders and South Carolina politician Bakari Sellers discuss the documentary "While I Breathe, I Hope"
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John Sexton and Rep. Diana DeGette
John Sexton and NYU alum Rep. Diana DeGette discuss John's new book "Standing for Reason: The University in a Dogmatic Age"
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NYU on the Hill
Reps Will Hurd, Andy Kim, and Elissa Slotkin joined Lisa Monaco, former Homeland Security Advisor to the President to discuss national security
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David Axelrod
David Axelrod, Chief Strategist for Barack Obama's presidential campaigns, discusses the results of Congressional midterms
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David Gregory
David Gregory former moderator of NBC News' Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press, and a CNN political commentator moderates a panel at NYU DC
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S.E. Cupp
NYU alum and host of her own show on HLN, S.E.Cupp joins a panel discussion on politics at NYU DC
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Soledad O'Brien
Award-winning journalist, author and philanthropist, Soledad O'Brien, speaks to the NYU DC community on journalistic integrity
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Atifete Jahjaga
President of the Republic of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, held an address at the screening of the “I think of You” documentary at NYU DC
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Gordon Brown
Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, addresses the NYU DC community at the start of the IMF annual meeting
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Luis Almagro
NYU DC hosted a discussion with Secretary General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro on strengthen democracy in the Americas
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Cindy McCain and Senator Heidi Heitkamp
Cindy McCain and Senator Heidi Heitkamp visit NYU DC to discuss human trafficking
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Former White House Counsel
Twor former White House counsel, Don McGahn and Kathy Ruemmler, discuss the executive branch’s relationship with Congress.
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NYU DC Lecturer Participation
Myron Ebell, Director, Competitive Enterprise Institute who headed President Trump’s EPA transition team, speaks with NYU DC lecturer Seth Borenstein.
NYU DC provides public dialogues on politics, culture, business, environment, education – and more. The center convenes prominent experts of various perspectives to discuss matters most captivating to our students. Programs have ranged from jazz concerts, poetry readings, panel discussions, day-long conferences, a two-woman play, and many, many other types of events. Students are able to engage with the featured guests and ask them more about their expertise and career paths.
Workshops
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Meet the Press
Students talking with Chuck Todd after a live Meet the Press taping at NBC Studios.
Photo credit: Meet the Press -
Law
Students enjoy this unique Washington view after learning about careers in law and the next steps.
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LGTBQ+ Advocacy
Students organized a workshop featuring LGBTQ+ professionals, who shared their stories of how they got to where they are today.
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News
Students viewed a live taping of Cape Up, Washington Post Writer Jonathan Capehart's opinions podcast.
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Speaking Up
A member of March for Our Lives spoke with students about the current issues surrounding gun reform and the increase in gun violence nationwide.
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Activism & Advocacy
Chiké Frankie Edozien is the Director of NYU Accra and spoke with students on activism and advocacy.
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Career Advice
Students took part in a salary negotiation workshop hosted by NYU DC's neighbors, AAUW.
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Social Entrepreneurship
Founder of local DC eatery Busboys & Poets, Andy Shallal, sat with students over brunch to share his philosophy vision in creating a hub open to all.
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Ambassador Talks
H.E. Dirk Wouters, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to the United States, spoke with students about the EU.
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Partisan Pals
Members of Congress Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) (NYU: Stern '74, Wag '78) and Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) gave an off-the-record impeachment discussion.
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Up Close
Senator Ted Cruz of Texas takes time to speak with students directly and engage in photo ops after a presentation.
Students engage in workshops both at the center and off site. These workshops provide students with up-close, personalized time to not only meet with professionals and experts but to participate in active discussion. Topics covered range from gun reform, LGBTQ+ rights, political activism, social entrepreneurship, and a multitude of others. Site visits include The Washington Post, U.S. State Department, NBC's Meet the Press tapings, Victory Institute, and others.
Internships
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United States Congress
Many NYU DC students intern on Capitol Hill for both Members of the House of Representatives and Members of the Senate.
Photo credit: Bob Handelman -
Non-Profits
DC non-profits are everywhere! This student interned with BUILD, a nonprofit focused on empowering under-resourced high school students.
Photo credit: Michael Simon Photography -
Up Close on the Hill
Valia Mitsakis '19 digs deep explaining the ins and outs of her internship in Senator Charles E. Schumer's office during her time at NYU DC.
Photo credit: Michael Simon Photography -
Government Agencies
Washington, DC has numerous government agencies where students have held internships.
Photo credit: NYU DC Student Life -
Embassies
NYU DC students often intern at embassies. This student worked in the Office of Trade and was a NAFTA Intern for the Embassy of Mexico.
Photo credit: Michael Simon Photography -
The Arts
The National Portrait Gallery is a historic art museum that is part of the Smithsonian Institution, one of the many Smithsonians in the city.
Photo credit: Bob Handelman -
DC Dialogues Executive Board
Executive Board members create public events as part of their internship with DC Dialogues.
Photo credit: NYU DC Dialogues -
DC Dialogues Volunteering
Two first year students greeted guests for a program with the Swiss Embassy, learning the ins and outs of working special events.
Photo credit: NYU DC Dialogues -
The White House
NYU DC students have interned at the White House, the official residence and workplace of the president of the United States.
Photo credit: NYU DC Student Life -
Library of Congress
Students frequently intern at the oldest federal cultural institution in the U.S., the Library of Congress (LOC).
Photo credit: NYU DC Student Life -
Media
Alongside journalism classes, students often take on media internships to learn firsthand the fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the day's news.
Photo credit: NYU DC Student Life -
Education
While in school, students can learn the various ways of how to work in schools after their time at NYU.
Photo credit: NYU DC Student Life -
Wasserman Center
William Jones with the NYU Wasserman Career Center speaks to students at an event on the Hill on how to launch their careers after their time at NYU.
Washington, DC offers countless internship opportunities that NYU DC students advantage of. Past student internship placements include the U.S. Supreme Court, the Organization of American States, Human Rights Campaign, White House, various embassies, Women’s Foreign Policy Group, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, to name just a few. NYU DC staff provide guidance and support during the internship placement process along with the Wasserman Career Center.
Activism
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Taking to the Streets
Protestors heading toward the place where legislation is made.
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Proximity to Politicians
Participants gather in a Planned Parenthood rally with Senator Bernie Sanders posed to speak.
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Bridging Community
The inaugural March for Science was on April 22, 2017 (Earth Day) in Washington, D.C., and more than 600 other cities across the world.
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We The People
R. Adhami photographed a Muslim woman wearing an American flag as a hijab illustrating that freedom, not fear, is America.
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Strength
The Women's March was a worldwide protest on January 21, 2017, the day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump.
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Youth
Students speaking out on President Trump's plan to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
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Together
When Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in 2013, P.Cullors, A. Garza, and O. Tometi created #BlackLivesMatter.
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Inclusivity
Signs reflecting opposition to President Trump's proposal of a border wall between the United States and Mexico.
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Passion
As Former First Lady Michelle Obama said, "When they go low, we go high."
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Monumental Moments
An opportunity for pro choice activists to rally, held by the March for Life Education and Defense Fund, at the March for Life on the Mall.
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Accountability
Rolling Thunder is an advocacy group that seeks to bring full accountability for prisoners of war and m.i.a service members of all U.S. wars.
What better way to speak up and speak out, then to take part in the action? Students at NYU DC often participate in organized rallies and protest marches on all types of issues. Activism of this sort has taken place in the city long before this century, and continues to be a central gateway for people to gather and let their voices be heard.