Experiential Learning

A major in Political Science requires students to complete 4 credits of "experiential learning." Majors have several options available to them to meet this requirement in consultation with their Political Science Academic Advisor. This requirement may be met by participating in an internship with the D.C. semester or other off-campus or study-abroad programs. Students who are unable to study off-campus may fulfill this requirement by taking POL 397 (Campaign Management) class which is offered in the Fall semester every even year or by engaging in collaborative research with a faculty member of the Political Science Department. Additionally students may also earn "experiential learning" credits by participating in opportunities provided by local government agencies, non-governmental organizations, law firms or other organizations and businesses listed below. Students must consult with their academic advisor and solicit assistance from Sarah McCoy, Assistant Director, in the Career Development Center of Hope College. http://hope.edu/student/career/. For additional information about internships at Hope you can refer to/use the information found here: http://www.hope.edu/academic/intern/Info.htm.

A list of potential organizations for local, Washington, D.C., and international internships are listed below.

Local

*Acton Institute - http://www.acton.org
*Allegan County - http://www.allegancounty.org
*Alliance for the Great Lakes (environment) - http://www.greatlakes.org/
*The Alliance to End Hunger - http://www.alliancetoendhunger.org
*Amway - http://www.amway.com
*Attorney General of Michigan - http://www.michigan.gov
*Center for Women in Transition - http://www.aplaceforwomen.org
*City of Grand Haven - http://www.grandhaven.org
*City of Holland - http://www.cityofholland.com
*City of Muskegon - http://www.muskegon-mi.gov
*City of Spring Lake - http://www.springlaketwp.org
*Congressman Bill Huizenga - http://www.huizenga.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm
*Congressman Dave Camp - http://www.camp.house.gov/constituentservices/internships.htm
*Cunningham Dalman - http://www.holland-law.com
*Democratic Party in Holland - http://www.ottawadems.com
*Department of Social Services - http://www.michigan.gov/dhs
*Feeding America - http://www.feedingamerica.org
*Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum - http://www.ford.utexas.edu
*GROW (Grand Rapids Opportunities for Women) - http://www.growbusiness.org
*Habitat for Humanity - http://www.lakeshorehabitat.org
*Hispanic Center of Western Michigan - http://www.hispanic-center.org/
*Holland Chamber of Commerce - http://www.westcoastchamber.org
*Holland City Mission - http://www.hollandrescue.org
*Ingham County - http://www.pa.ingham.org
*Kent County - http://www.accesskent.com
*Lakeshore Advantage - http://www.lakeshoreadvantage.com
*Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance - http://www.ethnicdiversity.org
*Lakeshore Latino Outreach Center - http://www.latinooutreach.org
*Lakeshore Pregnancy Center - http://www.lpcenters.com
*Latin Americans United for Progress - http://laup.org
*Miller Canfield - http://www.millercanfield.com
*Ottawa County - http://www.miottawa.org
*Ottawa County Prosecutor - http://www@miottawa.org
*Outdoor Discovery Center - http://www.outdoordiscoverycenter.org
*Ready for School - http://www.readyforschool.org
*Republican Party in Holland - http://www.ottawagop.org
*Sierra Club - http://www.Michigan.sierraclub.org
*State of Michigan - http://www.michigan.gov
*Stenger & Stenger, P.C. - http://www.stengerlaw.com
*Varnum Law - http://www.varnumlaw.com
*Warner Norcross - http://www.wnj.com
*West Michigan Environmental Action Council - http://www.Wmeac.org
*Western Michigan Strategic Alliance - http://www.wm-alliance.org

Washington, D.C.

*The Alliance to End Hunger - http://www.alliancetoendhunger.org
*Bread for the World - http://www.bread.org
*Congressman Bill Huizenga - http://www.hiuzenga.house.gov
*Congressman Dave Camp - http://www.Camp.house.gov
*Democratic Party - http://www.democrats.org
*Feeding America - http://www.feedingamerica.org
*Republican Party - http://www.dcgop.com
*U.S. House of Representatives - http://www.house.gov

Local offices dealing with International issues:

*International Aid in Spring Lake - http://www.internationalaid.org
*Women at Risk International in Grand Rapids - http://www.warinternational.org
*Aqua Clara International in Holland (water issues in Kenya and Nicaragua) - http://www.aquaclara.org
*American Red Cross - http://www.redcross.org
*World Affairs Council of Western Michigan in Grand Rapids - http://www.worldmi.org
*World Mission – http://www.worldmission.cc

International

*Experience Mission - http://www.experiencemission.org
*World Relief Nashville - http://www.worldreliefnashville.org