Programs in capitals take students places

UC Davis student Caitlin Buckley never imagined when she applied for the UC Center Sacramento program that her experience in the state capital would lead her to Europe.

Thanks to an internship in Lt. Governor John Garamendi's office and the contacts she subsequently made, the third-year political science student from Belmont was one of 18 students worldwide invited to attend an international conference in Amsterdam last month.

Buckley is one of almost 200 UC Davis students each year who expand their horizons, earn academic units and build resumes with internships, classes and research through UC programs in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Buckley rode a high-speed rail from Frankfurt to the three-day Annual International High Speed Rail Conference. There, she interviewed attendees for an online video and heard a colleague present a speech that she wrote. While the hosted trip was icing on the cake, Buckley said working at the Capitol helped her gain confidence and provided a terrific opportunity to network.

About three to six highly motivated UC Davis students participate in the Sacramento program each quarter, and the number increases to 15 in the summer. About 40 students each quarter and 30 in the summer experience the UC Davis Washington Program in the nation's capital. The University of California established the D.C. program in 1990 with Davis as one of the founding campuses, while the Sacramento program is nearing its five-year mark. Students from each of UC's undergraduate campuses participate.

Both programs are designed to provide students from all majors with a 10-week intensive experience combining an internship, independent research and seminar classes. Undergraduates with a minimum of 90 units and graduate students may apply to participate. Students remain enrolled at UC Davis full time and earn 12 to 16 units for the quarter. Financial aid is available to qualified students.

Sacramento Program

Students in the Sacramento program focus specifically on California issues and may intern for state senate or assembly members, the governor's office, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, local government or special interest groups. Sacramento also offers a popular public affairs journalism program and a health policy program for students during the summer.

Marg Lee, program coordinator at Davis for the Sacramento center, said that students can express an interest about a particular internship and the staff will work with them to establish a connection with the desired agency or individual.

"The experience is conducive to students learning not only about California issues, but personal growth — what they may want to do in life and how to get there," Lee said.

The Sacramento center is located on the K Street Mall in downtown Sacramento, directly across from the Capitol, making it convenient for students to connect with policymakers and get a feel for the Capitol community. Housing is also available in Sacramento to help participants make the most of their experience.

Washington Program

Jose Ordonez started his internship at the D.C. office of U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson by answering phones and opening mail — typical intern work. But once the mail was opened, he had to summarize information from the letters, which turned out to be a great daily exercise, particularly as he prepares to take the Law School Admission Test soon. He also helped the communications director research climate change for a Web site.

"I learned by doing," said Ordonez, a senior from Woodland with a double major in Spanish and economics. "I couldn't take Food Science 10 and get this kind of knowledge."

Ordonez's hard work in the nation's capital paid off — literally. He was named a Robert T. Matsui UC Congressional Fellow and was presented with $1,000 for his dedication to public and community service.

Since the UC Davis Washington program's inception, political science professor Larry Berman has seen students transformed. As founding director of the Washington center and the Davis program director for the past two years, Berman said the program is the greatest opportunity students have for experiential learning.

"This is an exciting time to be in D.C.," Berman said. "These students are witnessing history in the making. The program provides students a real edge in a competitive world."

Students in D.C. live and take classes in a 280-bed residential and office building six blocks from the White House; professors from UC campuses stay and teach there as well.

Not just for political science students

Berman stressed that this is not just a political science program. Students in the arts, medicine and other fields intern at hundreds of organizations in the D.C. area, such as galleries, think tanks, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and more.

"Unlike other off-campus learning opportunities, this program provides a combination of academic, cultural and professional experience all rolled into one," said Joaquin Feliciano, program coordinator for Davis. "Even though D.C. is in the same country as Davis, there's a big cultural difference between the two places."

Buckley enjoyed her experience in the Sacramento program so much that she applied and was recently accepted to attend the D.C. program. Although she's not sure where she will intern, she intends to pursue job opportunities in the nation's capital following graduation.

"I think the UC Center gives us a map, and then we find our way," Buckley said.