One of the cornerstones of the UW student experience is experiential learning. As a Husky, there are numerous opportunities at your fingertips!
What defines experiential learning? Any opportunity to apply your knowledge outside of the classroom. This is where you can begin to draw connections between your learning and your next adventure. Experiential learning can look like:
The Center for Experiential Learning and Diversity, located in Mary Gates Hall, is also a great place to start exploring unique experiential learning opportunities to get involved with!
It is recommended to engage in at least one experiential learning opportunity to continuously expand your resume and continuously apply the wonderful things you learn in your classes each quarter.
Current On-Campus Experiential Learning Opportunities
Are you interested in becoming a commissioned officer in the armed forces? UW offers Army, Air Force, and Navy Reserve Officers' Training Corps programming to prepare you to take on this leadership challenge. Students may participate in ROTC training with parental consent as long as they meet the other basic eligibility requirements. Students must be at least 17 years old to sign an ROTC scholarship contract. Students can enter the ROTC program as late as their third/Junior year. Students who have not completed the MSCI 100- and 200- level courses would need to attend ROTC Basic Camp during the summer before entering MSC 300. Basic Camp is specifically designed for students entering ROTC and is similar but not actual Basic Combat Training.
Current Off-Campus Experiential Learning Opportunities
Washington, D.C., Internships through The Washington Center: Information Session: Friday, October 2, 130-220pm on Zoom Click here to Register for the Zoom link. Spring Semester Application Deadline for UW Students: Thursday, October 8. Click here to apply. Questions? Email polsadvc@uw.edu
Spring 2027 Program
Application Deadline: October 8 (this is an extension of the normal deadline for UW students). Click here to start your application.
Virtual Orientation and Program Start: October 15
Check-in and Check-out for TWC Housing: January 20 and May 1
Internship Period: January 25 - April 30 (students are away from UW during Winter and Spring Quarters - this schedule works well for students who are ahead in credits)
Autumn 2027 Program
Application Deadline: April 14 (March 17 for international students)
Virtual Orientation and Program Start: June 3
Check-in and Check-out for TWC Housing: September 1 and December 11
Internship Period: September 7 - December 10
EDS (EEP Drama Society) hosts events for the entire RC community as well as puts on productions open to the public. There are opportunities to get involved both backstage and on-stage. If you're interested in learning more about EDS, please contact Ruth Thomas (rmthomas@uw.edu).
The RCSL represents the students' voice and plans quarterly community events, including the annual Winter Formal. If you'd like to get involved, email Annika Lam or Rachel Berg for more information. RCSL meets weekly. The RCSL officers are elected annually in the fall.
This group provides a space for peer-to-peer support for first-generation RC scholars. For more information, please reach out to eepacad@uw.edu.
Interested in studying abroad with fellow RC Scholars? We support our students in seeking out study abroad opportunities in a supportive setting. We will be facilitating group application and preparation sessions to support you in pursuing a study abroad experience through the Rome in Residence program in the Summer 2026 quarter.
Applications for Summer 2026 are now open – deadline: January 31, 2026
For more information about the program and to start your application follow this link: https://sites.uw.edu/romeinresidence
Each incoming first-year student at the RC is paired with a peer mentor at the beginning of fall quarter, when they first enter the university. Peer mentors are older students who are eager to support their fellow RC scholars through regular meetings, answering questions and addressing concerns from their mentees throughout the year as needed. Peer mentors are offered training and are supervised by the EEP/UW Academy Program Manager. Hiring for peer mentors opens late spring quarter. For more information, please contact eepacad@uw.edu.
Involvement in RSOs is a great way to meet likeminded people on campus, network for that future job, and make new friends! There are so many (from lettuce eating to hiking and beyond!) that we couldn't possibly begin to list them all. Check out the directory: https://huskylink.washington.edu/
Not sure where to begin? Attend the Dawg Daze Student Activities Fair or talk to a Peer Mentor or RC Scholars Staff member!
More information about the Student Diversity Event Fund for Spring Quarter events
This summer program at the National Institutes of Health is for college, graduate and professional students interested in exploring careers in research and healthcare. These are full-time research positions within one of the NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) in the NIH Intramural Research Program (IRP). Research groups are located on all NIH campuses, including the main campus in Bethesda, MD.
The Young Entrepreneur Academy (YEA) is a free, virtual, on-demand, and self-guided training resource developed by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Employment Security Department, and the Young Adult Advisory Council. It provides 10 units designed to help young adults (ages 16–30) navigate the entire business journey, covering topics like idea generation, legal basics, marketing, and finances.