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The University of New Haven has given me the ability to travel to a variety of places over the past four years of my undergraduate career. I have been able to explore the incredible food and culture at the UniversityÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s campus in Tuscany, to spend a year abroad in Varanasi, India, living with two different host families, and to travel to China with the Model United Nations team for a conference. But during my last semester, the University gave me the opportunity to go to a city I had always known I wanted to return to: Washington, D.C.

I spent the spring semester of my senior year interning in the office of United States Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut through the . This internship was by far one of the most incredible experiences I have had during my time at the University of New Haven.

Interning on the Hill gave me insight into the behind-the-scenes process of legislative work and what it is like to work in the Senate or the House. Whether I was speaking with constituents, attending briefings, or working with staffers on projects, there was something to gain from everything I did.

Along the way, I was able to feel like I was a part of history ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ whether that was making an appearance in the back of a news clip, watching newscasters interview members of Congress, or seeing highly publicized hearings.

"I had such an incredible experience, and am so grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program."Karissa Wilkinson ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™19

One of the most important ways that this internship helped me, though, was to prepare me for life after graduation. I feel much more prepared to get a job ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ whether in Washington, D.C. or elsewhere ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ because I have experienced what it is like to work on the Hill. I was able to get advice from a variety of people who have pursued careers in which I am interested, and I learned what type of career I do and do not want to pursue after I graduate.

The Washington Internship Institute Program is something that I would highly recommend for anyone who has an interest in Washington, D.C. I had such an incredible experience, and am so grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program.