As America celebrated 250 years of independence, there was no better place for the next generation of leaders to spend the summer than the nation’s capital. This summer, 282 students from across the country and around the world came to Washington, D.C., for the eight-week TFAS D.C. Academic Internship Programs, gaining firsthand experience with the institutions, ideas and people shaping America today.

Building an Economic Foundation

The classroom was at the heart of students’ Washington, D.C., experience. Through courses at George Mason University, students earned college credit while learning the political, economic and civic ideas that have shaped the American experiment. Students discovered how these ideas continue to influence policies and across the country today.

Courses included Economics for the Citizen, Economic Problems and Public Policies and Economies in Transition, along with several elective courses that allowed students to explore topics aligned with their academic interests and career goals.

Students had the opportunity to engage directly with accomplished scholars, participate in thoughtful discussions, examine new ideas and connect classroom concepts to their internship experiences.

This year’s accomplished faculty included:

• Dr. Anne Bradley, TFAS vice president of academic affairs
• Dr. Ekaterina Brancato, George Mason University
• Dr. Rosolino Candela, Mercatus Center at George Mason University
• Dr. Christopher Coyne, George Mason University
• Karen M. Czarnecki ’88, Charlotte Lozier Institute
• Paul Glader ’99, ’00, Advancing American Freedom
• Dr. Joseph Kochanek, George Mason University
• Dr. Milorad Lazic, U.S. Naval Academy
• Dr. Jordan Lofthouse, Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Lauren Veldhuizen ’26, a recent graduate of Wake Forest University, reflected on how the program’s economic coursework transformed the way she thinks about public policy.

“Dr. Bradley has shown me that economics does, in fact, make sense when it is taught in the light of the realities of human nature, and not as a pipe dream of what we wish that nature was,” Veldhuizen said. “This enlightening class has helped me write about and analyze policy and economic policy in ways I would never have been able to otherwise.”

Leadership in Action

Students put their academic experience into action through internships across the Washington, D.C., area. From federal agencies and think tanks to news organizations, Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit organizations and congressional offices, students gained hands-on experience across a wide range of fields while building the professional skills and connections that will shape their careers.

Lily Bilbo ’26, a student at the University of Mississippi, reflected on the generosity of the mentors, faculty and professionals who invested in students throughout the summer.

“This summer has taught me the value of time, talent and treasure,” Bilbo said. “Our mentors and advisors gave us more than just their time. They gave us their talent. Using their talent, professionals used their expertise to cultivate war games, professionals explained complex foreign policy matters to us and diplomats shared complex negotiating strategies. However, what struck me the most about these lessons was not the content of them, but how freely people gave us something you cannot replace: their time.”

The annual Capitol Hill Lecture Series, held in conjunction with the Office of Sen. Rand Paul, brought together students and fellow interns from across the Washington, D.C., area to hear from leading scholars, policymakers and elected officials. Through these conversations, students gained a broader understanding of the ideas shaping the nation and the leaders working to advance them.

The 2026 D.C. Summer Program also featured two annual lectures. During the Lev Dobriansky Lecture on Political Economy, Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute examined America’s economic history and the current state of U.S. trade policy through the lens of Adam Smith’s enduring ideas about free markets. At the Neal B. Freeman Lecture, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik discussed the “American Covenant: Trumbull’s ‘Declaration of Independence’ and the Exceptional Story of America,” examining the nation’s founding ideals and the principles that continue to shape the country today.

Building a Lifelong Network

Throughout the summer, students expanded their professional networks through 202 career exploration panels, site visits, professional development seminars and mentor mixers designed to complement their internships and coursework. More than 200 alumni volunteered this summer, sharing their experiences and connecting students with professionals across the nonprofit, private and public sectors. These career-focused discussions provided insight into a wide range of career paths and opportunities.

The annual Alumni Roundtable Networking Dinner was one of the most anticipated events of the summer, bringing together students and alumni for an evening of conversation and mentorship. TFAS brought students together with alumni who once followed a similar path and have since built successful careers across a wide range of fields.

Grounded in a strong academic foundation in economics, students left the program with a better understanding of economic principles and their application to the real world, along with professional connections, mentors and lifelong peers. As they returned to their hometowns and campuses across the country and around the world, they carried with them the knowledge and relationships developed through the program, connections that will continue to support their academic and professional growth throughout their careers.

Oliver Laimets ’26, a student from Estonia studying at the University of Tartu, said TFAS gives students the confidence to take on unfamiliar challenges.

“TFAS is very special because we learn, intern and develop professionally,” Laimets said. “But it gives us something even more valuable: the opportunity to connect with people we might otherwise never meet. Step outside your comfort zone, meet people who are different from you and see as much of the world as you can.”

TFAS is grateful to the dedicated supporters whose generosity makes the TFAS experience possible. Your investment provides students with life-changing opportunities to live, learn, intern and connect. Help shape the next generation of courageous leaders by making a gift today.

Watch the full Closing Ceremony below.