USA Study Mission

Day 1 – Arrival in Washington DC

Participants arrive in Washington DC and check into the hotel in the capital. The afternoon opens with an introductory session on the structure of American society, politics, and economy, and why the United States remains, for students of international relations, finance, and law, the single most important destination to understand and engage with. A welcome dinner in Washington closes the evening and sets the tone for the days ahead.

Day 2 – Georgetown University & Capitol Hill

The second day begins with a visit to Georgetown University, one of America’s most prestigious institutions and a global reference for international relations, law, and public policy, where a session with the admissions office, a campus tour, and a Q&A with current students provide a clear picture of academic life and career outcomes. In the afternoon, the group completes a Capitol Hill tour, visiting the US Senate and House of Representatives chambers, followed by a walk past the White House and a workshop on the US federal system: how power is divided between the three branches of government and how this shapes American domestic and foreign policy.

Day 3 – Pentagon, World Bank & IMF

The third day opens at the Pentagon, headquarters of the US Department of Defense, for a briefing on US national security strategy and the civilian career pathways available within the Department. (Note: Pentagon visits for non-US citizens require advance coordination with an authorised escort.) In the afternoon, the focus shifts to international economic governance: briefings at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, two of the most influential economic organizations in the world, covering their mandates, their relationship with member states, and the career pathways they offer to economists, lawyers, and social scientists. The day closes with a visit to the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum complex, as a cultural counterpoint to the institutional programme of the week.

Day 4 – Philadelphia: The Birthplace of American Democracy

Day four takes participants to Philadelphia, a short journey from Washington DC. The day is dedicated to the origins of American democracy: a visit to Independence Hall, where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed, the National Constitution Center, and a walking tour of Old City Philadelphia. A guide provides historical context and draws connections between the founding documents of American democracy and the international legal and political frameworks studied throughout the Study Mission programme. In the evening, participants travel by train from Philadelphia to New York City and check into the hotel in Manhattan.

Day 5 – Wall Street & the Federal Reserve

The fifth day is dedicated to American finance. The morning begins with a visit to Wall Street and the New York Stock Exchange, where participants receive a briefing on the US capital markets, how the NYSE operates, and the range of careers available in the American financial sector. In the afternoon, the group visits the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the most important of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks, for a session on US monetary policy, the Fed’s role in the global financial system, and the career paths it offers to economists, lawyers, and policy analysts.

Day 6 – United Nations Headquarters & Columbia University

The sixth day combines multilateral diplomacy with higher education. The morning begins at the United Nations headquarters in Midtown Manhattan: a tour of the General Assembly Hall and the Security Council chamber, followed by a workshop on the structure of the UN system and what careers the UN offers, from the Young Professionals Programme to NGO partnerships. The afternoon moves to an Ivy League campus: a visit to Columbia University (or NYU) for a session dedicated to US university admissions, the Common App, financial aid for international students, and the key differences between American graduate and undergraduate programmes.

Day 7 – New York: Networking & Exploration

The penultimate day in New York is dedicated to professional networking and independent exploration of the city. The morning features a structured networking session bringing participants together with Italian and European professionals based in New York, lawyers, bankers, diplomats, and entrepreneurs who have built international careers in the United States, who share their experiences and offer candid advice on breaking into the American professional world from a European background. The afternoon is free for participants to explore New York independently, consolidate what they have learned over the course of the week, and prepare for the closing session.

Day 8 – Closing Session & Departures

The final morning brings the Study Mission to a close with a structured round-table session: participants share key insights, map their academic and professional next steps, and receive personalised guidance on applying what they have experienced during the week. A final briefing provides practical information on staying connected with the contacts made during the mission. Departures take place throughout the day from New York City.