Foreign Policy Fellowship Program Staff Delegation Trips

The Wilson Center's Office of Congressional Relations has hosted several trips to locations around the world in order for Congressional staff to learn about the US relationship with various countries and critical foreign policy matters. Alumni have received on-the-ground briefings in South Korea, Mexico, Colombia, Sweden, Canada, Iceland, Germany, Belgium, and France. The next FPFP study trip will be announced soon!

Group of Congressional Staffers in Korea

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Brooke Grams

Legislative Aide, Office of Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT)

"The Wilson Center continues to deliver invaluable experiences for Congressional staff to see our policies and impacts in real-world situations and engage with high-level experts and policy makers. Facilitating these extremely professional study trips to interact directly in these partnerships, alongside bipartisan and bicameral colleagues, has significantly informed my understanding of global security challenges and cooperation. The insights and connections gained will directly inform my daily work advising my boss, enhancing our ability to craft informed, bipartisan policy solutions."

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Slate Herman

Counsel, House Committee on Energy and Commerce

“The Wilson Center trip to Finland and Estonia provided a valuable opportunity to see the impact of U.S. foreign policy firsthand. The fantastic mix of speakers combined perspectives from all sectors to provide an in-depth view of the Baltic region unattainable while still on U.S. soil.”

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Katie Morley

Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE)

“I’ve noticed for several years just how good of a job the Wilson Center has done at building relationships with and being accessible to congressional staff from early on in our careers. However, [the trip to Canada & Iceland, 2022] in particular really reinforced the Wilson Center’s leadership and widespread respect within the international community and the brilliant minds who make it all happen."

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Dhishal Jayasinghe

Legislative Correspondent, Office of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT)

"[On the Canada & Iceland trip] I was reminded of the responsibility that I had. For one, the responsibility to collaborate: to sincerely work above and beyond narrow partisanship lenses and take good ideas wherever they may come from – from all sides of the aisle, from public to private entities. And second, the responsibility to be imaginative... I learned to see these problems as opportunities to deliver more, to deliver better for the country and for the world."

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Dorothy Clark

Legislative Assistant, Office of Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN)

"As a young staffer, opportunities like this trip remind me of our impactful role in Congress. Relationship building matters – across borders, across the aisle, across chambers, across issues.”