For the past five decades, the National Security Studies Program (NSSP) has been the educational focal point for the American Security Council Foundation (ASCF). The program began with annual conferences in the 1950s and expanded steadily over the years. It now includes fall, spring, and summer semesters and is called The Latin America Studies Program (LASP).

The LASP is a leadership development program that supports the mission of the ASCF by introducing a group of carefully selected students to Latin American issues regarding both security interests of the United States and improving the lot of the peoples of Latin America. The better off they are – in terms of democratic government, safety, and standards of living – the better off we are. Students are selected based on academic achievements, extracurricular contributions to their community, and indications of strong character and leadership potential. Meaningful diversity in the class is important, including political beliefs. Some knowledge of Spanish is desirable, but not necessary.

The LASP is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Depending upon the criteria of the sponsoring college or university, students may receive transferable credit for their work at ASCF.

While frankly the typical D.C. intern is nothing but a gofer and learns little or nothing, that is not the case here. The program gives students the opportunity to perform substantive research and writing, with interns expected to choose a specific area of interest and write an annotated academic-level paper on that subject. This paper will then be posted on the ASCF website and interns will be encouraged to publish these papers either in their entirety, as spin-offs, or both. Interns will also be informed of and encouraged to attend local events regarding Latin America.

LASP participants are challenged through a variety of national security topics to include foreign policy, public affairs, international relations, economic security, and defense. They must be self-starters and are expected to rely upon and help each other, to be both students and teachers. A sense of humor is mandatory as this program is meant to be fun as well as educational. We want you to look back on your time here as one of the more formidable and enjoyable experiences of your educational years.

ASCF's current building, comprising three connected Victorians, is less than three blocks from Potomac Yard Metro station and four blocks from Eastern Market Metro, both on the orange and blue lines.  Eastern Market is one of the “hot spots” for young people in D.C. and indeed has been named one of America’s Ten Best Neighborhoods the nation, including numerous restaurants and bars such as the famous Hawk ‘n’ Dove. It is two blocks from a new Harris Teeter grocery store, even closer to a CVS pharmacy, and five blocks from a Safeway.

The program provides free lodging but no stipend. Lodging may not be available for the fall term, but we are working on providing it off-premises. Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample in Word format to: internship@ascfusa.org. We look forward to hearing from you!