Green School students soar at one-of-a-kind semester in D.C.

Camila Marino ’25 and Ariel Robledo ’25 are part of the inaugural cohort of six students enrolled in the Green School Semester in D.C., spending the spring learning how to flourish in our country’s capital. The opportunity combines academics with hands-on work experience which helps develop essential skills in public affairs, policy and advocacy. Both students work as interns and are enrolled in courses at FIU in Washington, D.C.

The new program, which is now admitting students for the fall, is a collaborative effort of the Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs, the Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy, and FIU in Washington, D.C.

Marino, born and raised in Peru, moved to Miami six years ago. She enrolled at FIU after completing her Miami Dade College degree and is pursuing a BA in International Relations.

“After graduating from Miami Dade College, I reviewed my options and was motivated to enroll at FIU because of the FIU in DC program,” Marino said. “I was challenged by the opportunity to take two classes while interning. I always visualized myself going to FIU in DC during my last semester. I am grateful for all the opportunities to grow that FIU has given me, especially because higher education is less accessible in my native country."

With support from the university, she landed an internship with Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s office, believing it would provide an “incomparable” experience, and credited the program’s public policy and service course to deepening her understanding of Washington’s workings.

“It provides me with the necessary tools to understand not only the legislative process in Congress but also the role and work of each federal agency,” she explained. “This class is about the public sector process. I ask questions related to the day-to-day operations I’m exposed to while interning. And specifically, about the legislative process and arguments, processes and even decisions made by Congress.”

Marino said being in D.C. during the transition of presidents and administrations was both fascinating and chaotic. Her courses enriched her hands-on work experience, and assignments were followed by discussions focused on events of the week, including both executive and legislative decisions.

Marino’s next goal is to study at FIU College of Law. “This experience is a turning point in my career and exactly what I needed before starting law school,” she noted. “The Green School course offers students the opportunity to grow professionally and personally. My internship has opened many doors and shown me opportunities from the legislative side to communications.”

Robledo, a native Miamian, studying for his BA in political science and history, has already attained certificates in Latin American and Caribbean studies, and national security studies. He also served the FIU Student Government Association as an associate justice prior to applying for the Green School semester program. Shortly after his term ended, he began clarifying his goals for his FIU in DC experience; he carefully reviewed potential internship options in Washington, D.C. zeroing in on the Cato Institute and its prominent position among D.C.-based think tanks.

“I learned about Latin America and its defense by reading publications available on the Cato Institute’s website – for example, a publication produced by their affiliate program, titled ‘Human Progress,’” Robledo said. “I learned Cato offered internships among their approximately 30 departments. I waited but then submitted my application just hours prior to the FIU in DC deadline and thankfully was selected.”

In addition to learning on the job about the Cato Institute’s research and publication process, he found that networking was key to learning about the transactional nature of the business conducted in D.C.

“FIU students should network as much as they can, sign up for events online, meet interesting speakers, friends and people you can eventually work with or for after graduation,” Robledo urged. “So many events are open to the public, and FIU in DC also hosts many events open to the wider D.C. community of politics, NGOs, non-profit organizations and embassies.”

After graduation, Robledo will pursue working at another think tank or for the government in publishing and research. Eventually he will pursue his master’s degree but wants to work at more think tanks to acquire perspectives on publicizing research reflecting a wider variety of political views.

Both Green School students advised other students interested in pursuing FIU in DC opportunities to do their homework and create possible career pathways in advance. They were enthusiastic about the opportunity to learn and intern in the nation’s capital, which provides a close look into an environment where key decisions are made while gaining unique experience.

“I believe FIU in DC is more than a physical location – it offers a high-powered network of FIU alumni, government officials and partners from the public, private and nonprofit sectors,” said Green School Dean Shlomi Dinar. “I’m proud of our first Green School Spring 2025 student cohort and foresee more opportunities for Green School students to enrich their academic careers at FIU in DC.”

For more information go to: https://go.fiu.edu/fiuindcgs