August 8, 2007 | By Stephanie Herbert

A different kind of internship

A few years ago, The New York Times published an article praising The Heritage Foundation’s internship program as one of the best gigs in town. As the summer comes to a close, it’s clear that the Times was right: the Heritage internship program truly deserves its reputation of being the best in Washington, D.C.

When working as an intern at the most effective conservative think tank in Washington, D.C., even the brightest young minds can be put to the test. Happily, Heritage understands the need for all kinds of learning experiences, and arranged for interns to see many of the most important historic and cultural sites in the area.

Only a week after we started, we took a specially-arranged guided tour of the Capitol building. Though the Capitol was crowded with visitors, Heritage interns managed to see the beautifully painted Rotunda, Statuary Hall, the old Supreme Court chambers, and much more.

A few days later, Justice Clarence Thomas specially invited us to come for a private conference at the Supreme Court. A powerful presence in the room, he gave a brief talk about life as a judge on the nation’s highest court and then took questions for over an hour. His answers covered everything from recent rulings to the importance of common sense in handing down decisions. His football analogies were an added bonus and sparked lots of laughter.
           
The third trip was to the Pentagon, home to 23,000 men and women working to defend the country. We walked the vast hallways and saw the display of beautiful and moving home-made quilts from communities across the country commemorating the victims of 9/11. Another memorable stop on the tour was the chapel located where Flight 77 hit the building. And we got to see the hot dog stand in the Pentagon courtyard where the Soviets aimed their nuclear missiles.
                       
Two weeks ago, we visited George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, a few miles outside the city. Our first president believed Mount Vernon was the most beautifully situated property in the country, and he was right: it sits on the peaceful Potomac River, overlooking lush banks untouched by human development. The museum includes documentaries and interactive exhibits—and even the general’s famous false teeth. After our guided tour of the mansion, we explored the extensive grounds and attended a guided tour of the beautiful mansion.

Last week, we were given a special tour of the formal East Wing of the White House, with its ornate reception rooms and where original portraits of past Presidents hang. And we even got some behind-the-scenes details: a Secret Service agent told us about the excitement at last December’s Christmas Party.

Of course, no summer in D.C. could be complete without spending a few hours in the nosebleed seats watching America’s pastime. At the Washington Nationals game against the Colorado Rockies, several full-time staff joined in for the fun, and I’m pretty sure they joined in on “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” even louder than the interns. (Despite their efforts, the Nats lost.)

The Heritage internship program will remain unforgettable. Not only did we have the chance to work at a world-class think tank, but we got to see the best of the nation’s capital as well.

Stephanie Herbert is an intern at The Heritage Foundation.