I liked the environment that I was living in. The kids in this program were really fun to be around and I greatly enjoyed my professors. I also found the programming and networking to be very helpful. I also loved meeting congressmen.
What I wish was different
All the programming was exhausting on top of classes and the internship. Also, the internship I ended up in was absolute crap. My boss was a misogynist idiot who does not know how to run an "organization" much less a group of interns. He had us on 8am meetings listening to him every day sometimes for as long as 3 hours where he rant Republican propaganda. He also made a comment negatively comparing me to a beautiful blonde girl. He talks bad about people behind their backs and gave trash work to do like emailing student governments or other people about his stupid resolution. He would either expect you to read his mind or try to micromanage you in the dumbest most boomer way possible. I could go on. Plus, when we visited the Senate, he treated us like we were on a field trip. Also, the "organization" had no professional website or formal programming at all. Aside from the fact that TFAS had partnered with them, they looked like a scam. I talked to other people and it was hit or miss for their internships.
Advice
Find your internship. This TFAS program offers great programming, but be aware the programming may conflict with your internship hours and will prevent you from working Friday mornings. But if possible, find another internship or don't do TFAS as their internships are hit are miss. I did advocate for myself and got a full scholarship where I did not pay for anything. So it was worth it in that regard. I would not spend thousands of dollars on my internship experience though.
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Student
June - August 2017 • Washington, DC
What I liked
Great structure and leadership. They do a great job connecting you with organizations working in your field of interest. Mix of social events let you get to know other students. Great networking opportunities.
What I wish was different
I wish there was less of a political agenda behind the organization- its pretty conservative/libertarian
Advice
Make sure to tell the program director exactly what you're looking for in an internship and he will find you a spot! Use the events to network with people you could see yourself working with!
