Internship

U.S. Representative Ben Cline (VA-06)

Where are you from? Why did you choose JMU?

I am orginally from Kurdistan but have been living in Virginia for the past eight years.  I chose JMU because it was my hometown university but mainly because of the great programs they have including the Washington Semester. 

Why did you decide to participate in Washington Semester? 

I wanted to participate in the Washington Semester even before I started JMU because it's the best way to land an internship in D.C. and at the same time keep up with your courses.  

What were the highlights of your internship? 

The highlights of my internship include writing a letter to the Secretary of State and taking the lead on the Congressman's foreign affairs agenda since he didn't have foreign affairs aid at the time. 

What advice would you offer to future Washington Semester students? 

The advice I would offer is to be proactive and go get what you want out of the semester and internship. Do not be afraid to ask for help because that's what this semester is for, gaining expereince and learning. 

What are your long-term career plans? 

My long-term career plan is to find a stable job in government that makes an impact on U.S. foreign policy