Governors Internship Program
Training Mexico's future leaders to meet the demands and needs of their nation.
The future of Mexico is in the hands of the next generation of economic and social development leaders. As a university student and Mexican citizen, you have a tremendous opportunity to help shape your country's destiny.
In partnership with several Mexican state governments, The Governors Program was developed to provide young Mexican citizens like yourself with practical hands-on experience and skills to lead and write the future of your home region and your community. The Washington Center invites you to Washington D.C. to participate in this immersive educational program that will change your life and help launch your career.
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in this program, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Mexican citizen AND a resident of a participating state.*
- Be nominated by the Government of your home state.
- Be age 21 to 29 on the day of the application announcement.
- Hold a valid passport.
- Be able to interview in English.
- Have a positive and proactive attitude.
Additional eligibility criteria may be required per state. Please contact internationalinfo@twc.edu for more information.
Program Components
During this 15-week internship program you'll work at your internship Monday through Thursday. You'll gain professional experience and academic training related to important economic and social development issues. Valuable cultural and social interactions are also a key part of the experience. On Fridays, you'll join other student interns from Mexico for small groups, speaker series, excursions and other activities that will help you develop your professional skills and prepare for your future career.
Throughout the semester, you'll work on a project designed to improve the well-being of your region. Your project needs to be capable of attracting investment or represent a regional product or industry. At the end of the program, you'll present your project to your state governor.
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Program Cost
This program is sponsored by various Mexican States. Sponsorship covers the cost of the program and housing. You will be responsible for airfare, living expenses and local transportation.
Housing and Living
The community you become a part of is one the best things about The Washington Center. You never know what will spark a conversation that turns a roommate from halfway around the globe to a lifelong friend. You might come for an internship, but you’ll be amazed by what you can learn from a late night burger run.
We don't like to brag, but our neighborhood, NoMa, is one of the coolest and 'most connected' neighborhoods in D.C. You'll be in the middle of it all with easy access wherever you need to go.
Want to learn all about TWC housing, the community and the neighborhood? Check out our Housing page below.
Housing
Most student interns share a 2-bedroom/2-bath apartment with three other students in our modern academic and residential building. We'll provide everything you need, most of what you'll want, and even some perks you might not have expected (like tips on where to find that burger at 2am).
Each apartment is fully furnished and includes:
- a full dining set (pots, pans, dishes, silverware, coffee maker and toaster)
- refrigerator
- microwave
- dishwasher
- iron and ironing board
- vacuum cleaner
- mop and broom
- washer and dryer
- wi-fi
What to Pack
Please be prepared to pack the following:
- linens including twin-sized sheets, towels, a blanket/comforter and pillows
- personal toiletries
- government-issued ID card
- at least three business professional outfits
- notebook and pens
- clothes hangers
Once you’ve arrived we recommend you purchase these additional items:
- cleaning supplies
- dishwasher and laundry detergent
- toilet paper and paper towels
- groceries
Due to limited storage we cannot accept packages in advance of your check-in date.
Housing Services
We give you your space, but we don't leave you totally on your own. Our housing services team and alumni mentors make sure you have the support you need, any time day or night. And our disability services staff ensures that every student has the tools they need to live comfortably, complete assignments and succeed in their work.
Academic Credit
You may be eligible to receive academic credit for your participation in this program. However, credits are determined and awarded by each university. TWC does not grant credit. You are responsible for arranging any academic credit through your college or university. You should discuss arrangements with you institution, prior to starting the program.
Non-US Citizens
The Washington Center is a designated J-1 Visa sponsor by the U.S. State Department and sponsors a J-1 Visa for international students attending or recently graduated from a university in a foreign country. Once you’re accepted into The Washington Center’s program, you’ll be given details for how to secure your J-1 Visa. Special provisions may be available for Canadian citizens.
International students enrolled in U.S. universities with a valid F-1 visa can participate in TWC’s programs with their current visa as long as they remain enrolled in the university and their visa is valid until the last day of The Washington Center’s program or beyond. Please contact the home institution for further information.
J-1 Visa Requirements
In order to obtain a J-1 Visa, you must be accepted into one of our programs and:
- Be enrolled in a foreign degree- or certificate-granting university outside the United States OR have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the program start date. Alternatively, you may have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign university and at least one year of work experience in your field.
- Know English well enough to perform successfully in the program.
- Plan to leave the United States within 30 days after completion of the program.
Once you have been accepted into our program and placed at an internship site, The Washington Center will send you the DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms along with other important materials.
Health Insurance
All J-1 Visa participants must certify that they have a valid health insurance policy for the entire duration of the program to comply with State Department requirements. You will need to bring proof of insurance with you when you come to the United States to provide to The Washington Center.
Your policy must include:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness.
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000.
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation to your home country in the amount of $50,000.
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above, a Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the policy may be backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country.
Dates and Deadlines
| Check-In | Internship Begins | Internship Ends | Check-Out | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2021 | January 27 | February 1 | May 6 | May 8 |
| Fall 2021 | August 25 | August 30 | December 2 | December 4 |
Application deadlines are set by individual state governments.
How to Apply
Applications for this program go through the various Mexican partner states. Please contact InternationalInfo@twc.edu for information on how to apply.
If you're not quite ready to apply or are interested in learning more about our programs, please submit a Request For Information below.
Application Documents
You need to submit the following documents along with your application:
- Resumé
- TOEFL scores
- Official Transcripts
- Letters of Recommendation
- Nomination from your state government
- A copy of your passport ID page
- Project Proposal: Submit your idea for an innovative and viable project that improves the quality of life and the civic commitment of your region. During the program, you'll develop the project.
Policies
You can view TWC's Internship Policies here, which includes information on student conduct, billing, grades, and much more. All students will be expected to follow these policies so we encourage you to review them.