USA: Matthew Masonius (A New Experience)

August 21, 2023

A group of around 20 students smile and pose for the camera on a balcony overlooking many Washington DC buildings, including the large obelisk Washington Monument to the right. — Myself and other UW-Madison students atop the Department of the Interior.

A New Experience

In a summer filled with so many new and exciting experiences, it was hard to pick just one to write about. During my time with the Wisconsin in Washington program, I had the pleasure of visiting numerous sites rich with history, living in a fun and vibrant city, and even interacting with members of Congress.

The Washington Monument, a tall, stone obelisk, stands out against the sky at dusk. — Our view of the Washington Monument and the massive crowds swarming the Mall.

If there was one experience that stood above the rest, however, I would have to say that it would be spending the Fourth of July in the nation’s capital. Through the Wisconsin in Washington program, the cohort of students that I belonged to received a prestigious invite to a holiday celebration and fireworks viewing on the rooftop of the Department of the Interior. Even Secretary Deb Haaland herself was in attendance. This venerable federal building was situated just a few blocks southwest of the White House, right alongside the National Mall.

From our advantageous viewpoint, we received an unbeatable front-row seat to the country’s premier fireworks display, launched from the banks of the iconic Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The grandiosity of these aerial explosions was complemented by the innumerable fireworks erupting on a smaller scale all across the city and beyond, including on the opposite end of the Potomac River in Virginia. The mesmerizing sights and cacophony of sound were certainly ones to behold as I stood in awe on the rooftop with my head cocked toward the sky. There my gaze remained for at least the next half hour before the festivities at last came to a close. It was a sight I will not soon forget, and one I recommend all others to seek out.

Matthew smiles on a blue chair, wearing a Wisconsin sweatshirt.

Matthew Masonius

Hometown: Shrewsbury, NJ

Major: Political Science, History

Program: Wisconsin in Washington

Why did you choose your program?

First and foremost, I chose to participate in the Wisconsin in Washington program because I believe it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work and learn in the heart of American politics. This program combines all the best aspects of an internship with the academic benefits of uniquely tailored classwork. As a political science student with a passion for public policy, I could not turn down the opportunity to gain firsthand experience of what it is like to work at the highest levels of government.

One goal that I have for Wisconsin in Washington is to distinguish myself professionally. As an intern in the office of Congresswoman Gwen Moore, this means serving the constituents of Wisconsin’s 4^th District to the best of my abilities. I look forward to launching a career in public service with this internship, and I hope to represent the WiW program and UW-Madison proudly