°®Å¾Íø

Being a °®Å¾Íøstudent has given me the opportunities of a lifetime. I have been able to work at the United States Capitol, study at the University of Oxford, and conduct academic research. These opportunities would not be possible if SPIA’s curriculum did not allow me to take advantage of unique and rewarding experiences.
During the fall 2022 semester, I participated in the Washington Semester Program. I interned for Congressman Rick Allen from Augusta that semester and took classes with extraordinary faculty. My internship counted for course credit, which helped me complete my political science degree. I could also take an international affairs class that fits within the structure of my internship schedule. I am thankful I got course credit for my political science and international affairs degrees even though I was not in Athens. Participating in the Washington Semester Program prevented me from falling behind in my academic plan. The advisors in °®Å¾Íøensured that I could fulfill multiple degree requirements while having a delightful experience. I learned so much from my internship and applied what I learned during that semester to my coursework. I am thankful that °®Å¾Íøemphasizes theory and analysis through its curriculum and gives its students applicable skills for the workforce through its experiential learning opportunities.
SPIA’s academic flexibility also gave me a remarkable study-abroad experience at the University of Oxford. I could select courses based on my interests rather than being confined to mandated courses. I was able to take courses on political theory and a course on the British legal system. All of these courses counted toward my °®Å¾Íødegrees without any difficulty. Even though both my political science and international affairs degrees have some mandated courses as prerequisites, I am thankful that the prerequisites were relatively short in number so that I could take unique classes.
My academic research also counted for course credit. I am thankful for this as my research on civic education was very time-consuming and would have been more overwhelming had I had to take more classes besides conducting research. I have found that °®Å¾Íøcoursework can be challenging, but the flexibility to pursue my passions has made all of my academic coursework enjoyable. While I will miss UGA once I graduate in May, I am thankful that my coursework has prepared me for my future.
Nicholas Byrd is a fourth-year political science and international affairs student at the °®Å¾Íø.