UCLA students interning in Washington, D.C., this year navigated anti-immigration enforcement protests, congressional budget negotiations during appropriations season and uncertainty surrounding federal funding.

The UC Washington Program, created in 1997, sends at least 31 UCLA undergraduate students to the United States Capitol each quarter. Students take courses on politics, policy and international development while interning with organizations across government, policy and related fields, according to the program’s website.

Thaer Makdsi, a third-year political science student who participated in the program this spring, said he joined UCDC after transferring to UCLA because he wanted to expand his academic and professional experience.

Makdsi, who works as a legislative intern for the House Committee on Financial Services, said the committee presents hundreds of bills – only a few of which eventually end up passing – which has taught him firsthand how the government operates.

Protests, political messaging and advocacy were highly visible throughout Washington, especially near government buildings and monuments, he added.

“It’s a very political city,” Makdsi said. “A lot of people here – their shops depend on if a congressman loses or wins a race.”

Michelle Gilman, a fourth-year history student who participated in UCDC during winter quarter, said she saw political activism in the city while attending anti-immigration enforcement protests near the UC Washington Center, which houses students during the program six blocks from the White House.

President Donald Trump cracked down on immigration in Minneapolis in January, sparking nationwide protests against increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity. The rallies have honored three U.S. citizens – Alex Pretti, Keith Porter Jr. and Renee Nicole Good – whom federal agents killed in separate incidents.

Gilman said finding an internship in Washington was challenging because many government-funded organizations faced budgetary uncertainties.

Ricardo Muñoz, a fourth-year political science student who participated in UCDC in the winter, said he was drawn to the program because he wanted to see the concepts from his political science classes play out in real time.

“I wanted to see where rubber meets the road and how these decisions are actually made,” said Muñoz, who interned with two veteran organizations.

Muñoz said after federal agents killed Pretti in January, the incident became a recurring topic in committee hearings.

Participating in the program allowed Muñoz to witness how lawmakers responded to and debated major national issues in real time, he added.

Tracy Le, a fourth-year political science student, said protests related to the U.S.-Iran war also occurred outside the UC Washington Center while she attended the program in the winter. The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in February, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other officials, according to the Associated Press.

Le interned with the UC Office of the President’s federal governmental relations team, where she researched topics including Pell Grants, federal research funding and graduate student loans.

She added that political tensions and advocacy in Washington were present throughout the quarter, particularly during appropriations season – when lawmakers pass bills dictating how federal funds will be allocated for the year.

Shaily Sarmiento, a third-year political science and psychology student who also participated in the program in the winter, said living in Washington encouraged students to stay informed about current events, protests and court hearings.

Sarmiento said she interned with two nonprofit organizations during the program, adding that nearby streets often closed because of political demonstrations.

Gilman, who worked as a resource operations intern for UCDC, said she appreciated the opportunity to step outside of life in Los Angeles.

“I was really glad that I got to study somewhere other than LA,” Gilman said. “I got to experience a new side of the country.”

Muñoz said the fast-paced nature of the program helped sharpen his skills and contributed to his professional growth. Washington’s networking culture also connected students with professional opportunities and relationships that extended beyond the classroom, he added.

“There’s just certain things that happen in D.C. that you can’t read in a book,” Muñoz said.