Second year international affairs student Eleanor Forshaw has always felt a pull to live and work in Washington, D.C.
“Living in D.C. has been a long-time dream of mine,” she explained. “It’s undeniably the hub of international affairs in the U.S. and arguably worldwide. As students, we often sit in class and learn about the happenings in Washington, but I knew when I chose this program for grad school that I wanted firsthand experience.”
That experience came this fall in the form of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs’ D.C. Semester Program. Students who participate in the D.C. Semester in the fall have access to Syracuse’s Global Security and Development Program alongside students from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, the Fletcher School at Tufts, at the Korbel School at the University of Denver.
Forshaw enrolled in three courses this semester: U.S. Congress and Foreign Policy Making, Issues of Public Diplomacy, and China’s Challenge to Global Order. Beyond the interesting subject matter and challenging material, she says she enjoyed learning from professors with extensive professional experience, including broadcasting on CNN, working at the Space Force, and operating in global think tanks.
An additional benefit of the structure of the DC Semester? Courses are generally held in the evening, allowing students to further enrich their experience by pursuing an internship during work hours.
Forshaw interned with the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Secretariat, supporting its mission to promote religious freedom globally through advocacy, communications, and operations. She attended working group meetings, drafted press releases and authored op-eds, and contributed to the organizations social media efforts by conducting interviews and creating visual content. In addition, she helped with website maintenance and coordinated the group’s weekly roundtable events, bringing in speakers to address staff and following up with resources after the event.
“This internship has allowed me to develop a wide range of skills,” she shared. “I’ve learned how to collaborate with foreign governments and coordinate policy efforts, providing me with a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind foreign policy, international cooperation, and the partnership between NGOs and government. They’ve equipped me with practical skills I can bring into the classroom and my future career.”
Forshaw’s internship also enabled her to attend other unique events around D.C. She learned about nonproliferation and participated in an emergency simulation at the U.S. Department of State, sat in Senate proceedings focused on the role of religion in the lives of refugees with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and attended multiple lectures at the United States Institute of peace (USIP).
A highlight of her time at the IRF Secretariat was traveling to Prague, Czech Republic in November to attend the Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue Conference. The event, hosted by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on combating radical ideologies and included participants from governments around the world, such as those from the U.S. Department of State, as well as representatives from non-governmental organizations.
“It was a privilege listening to speakers discuss the importance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue and the role of freedom of religion or belief in promoting peace. Additionally, I attended a strategy session following the conference, which offered valuable insights into how governments and civil society plan to implement the event's objectives” she shared.
The schedule this fall has certainly been demanding, but managing a full workload is nothing new for Forshaw. She began her grad school career as a 4+1 student at the University of Pittsburgh, taking her first year of master’s courses while finishing her undergraduate degree.
“The 4+1 Program was a major factor in in my decision to pursue graduate studies at Pitt,” she said. “The opportunity to combine my undergraduate and graduate degrees to complete both in less time was one I couldn’t pass up. I wanted to gain more experience and deepen my knowledge in the international affairs sector, and graduate school has so far proven to be an excellent place to achieve those goals.”
When asked about advice she had for anyone considering the D.C. Semester as part of their experience here at Pitt, her answer was clear.
“Just do it. Take the steps necessary to make it possible… During my time here, I’ve gained invaluable skills and grown in ways that wouldn’t have been possible without this opportunity. It has not only reinforced my desire to return and work here but has also strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in international affairs."
Learn more about our footprint in Washington, D.C., including our office on Pennsylvania Avenue and the D.C. Semester Program, or contact Megan Varn, Manager of Washington D.C. Initiatives, at mev70@pitt.edu.