What Are the Benefits of Studying Away?

Study away programs allow you to spend a semester or year at another location in the U.S., taking courses and/or doing internships in a different environment from your college home.

Kayla Will ’25 participated in the Lutheran College Washington Semester in fall 2025.

I decided to take an extra semester to seize the Lutheran College Washington (D.C.) Semester (LCWS) opportunity. I struggled to make this decision because of its cost and the delay to my post-graduation plans. But I learned so much from my experience in D.C. and the LCWS program. It truly was the best education in professional edge, personal growth, and leadership. It allowed me to grow in ways I couldn’t have imagined—navigating challenges independently, taking risks, and learning from my mistakes, while also having a supportive community to rely on when I needed guidance and encouragement.

Exploring and Learning in the City

The LCWS program offered a great blend of group and individual explorations that allowed us to appreciate and learn about the city in many new ways. We could choose between two tracks: civic or cultural. I chose the civic track, which encouraged us to participate in a variety of events around the D.C. metropolitan area related to civic engagement. Group activities included meeting Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, speaking with local activists and the Shadow Senator for D.C. in the U.S. Senate, and visiting the People’s House. 

We were also required to seek out experiences on our own that interested us. I attended a congressional hearing, listened to discussions with former legislators about voting procedures, witnessed protests, heard a talk at Georgetown Law on wrongful convictions, attended DemocracyFest, and even checked out a comedy show about democracy. These experiences pushed us to explore and learn firsthand how to be actively engaged in our country’s democracy, gain perspective on its health, and engage with the city rather than just observe it.

Interning in My Field of Interest

I took an internship with the Death Penalty Information Center (DPI). As a political science major, I wanted an opportunity that really spoke to my interests in public policy, research, nonpartisanship, collaboration, and public advocacy and education. DPI was the perfect blend of all of these. 

My internship truly shaped my experience in DC and stands out as the most meaningful part of the semester. I definitely believe that your internship makes your experience. I learned so much—not from a classroom, but from the daily realities of working in a real office and supporting and creating projects that have real impact. 

From arriving on the Metro each morning to collaborating with coworkers and participating in meetings, each day brought new opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects, apply my skills in tangible ways, and take on a variety of tasks across DPI—from writing stories and producing podcasts to supporting reports, researching legislation, reviewing court documents, analyzing death penalty cases, designing data visualizations, and even programming. 

Along the way, I made friends, strengthened my work ethic, and grew more confident in my research skills. Being recognized for my contributions was incredibly rewarding, and it gave me a real sense of participating in work that matters—work that informs meaningful conversations about the death penalty and justice.

Engaging Coursework and Professional Connections

My classes, Supreme Court and Controversy and Violence and Values, were excellent. It was invaluable to learn from professors who are deeply connected in DC, with real-world experience and engaging day jobs. They brought in guest speakers regularly, fostering rich discussions rather than traditional lectures. Every class was engaging, thought-provoking, and never dull.

Overall, this experience has meant so much to me—the friends, connections, adventures, and opportunities to grow. I think the most important part of this experience was the connections I made. For example, I attended a Luther event with President Brad Chamberlain and met many alumni. Even after the event, I reached out to reconnect with several of them for coffee or lunch. Those conversations gave me valuable insight into the city, career paths, and professional life, but they also made me feel more comfortable, prepared for the workforce, and part of a supportive community. Take advantage of any chance to connect with Luther alumni—most are eager to help, and it’s amazing how much you can learn from their experiences.

Confidence in Myself

I am truly grateful for this experience and for everyone who helped me along the way. I’m also thankful that I took that leap. Participating in the program has given me so much confidence in myself and my abilities. I now feel ready, prepared, and excited for my job search, and I feel like a stronger candidate because of it. 

This is such a unique experience that offers so much if you fully engage, and I don’t regret taking part for a second. This experience will always stick with me and guide me moving forward. I would encourage others to seize this opportunity, even if it feels intimidating at first—it’s absolutely worth it.

Kayla Will, a political science major at Luther College, received the Dr. Christopher C. Joyner Memorial Award during the Lutheran College Washington Semester for her academic excellence and commitment to learning.  

Explore Study Away at Luther College