MATA students make career-focused visit to U.S. capital
From the classroom to the center of power, Fletcher’s Master of Arts in Transatlantic Affairs (MATA) students brought their studies to life during a fall site visit to Washington, DC. The trip offered a close look at the institutions and people shaping today’s transatlantic relationship.
Led by Liz Riddle, Associate Director for Academic Programs, 13 students traveled to the United States capital for meetings with policymakers, analysts, and alumni working at the center of transatlantic affairs. The itinerary included visits to the Atlantic Council, the European Union Delegation to the United States, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Council on Foreign Relations.
The timing of this year’s trip allowed students to engage with policy debates as they were unfolding. On the day of the think tank visits, major news broke on U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine. “Many of our panelists were able to provide direct reactions,” said Riddle. The visit also included a sold-out evening panel at the Atlantic Council on global AI regulation, led by Fletcher Professor Josephine Wolff, giving students exposure to cutting edge policy discussions on emerging technologies.
Students attend Atlantic Council panel with Prof. Josephine Wolff
For MATA student Colas Richard, the visit helped translate academic study into lived experience. “Going to DC was motivated by discovering the U.S. political capital,” he said. “Seeing how the city is organized, entering offices, and speaking with professionals helped me understand the environment behind the policies we study every day.”
Career exploration was a central focus of the visit. Students asked candid questions about career paths, daily responsibilities, and hiring practices across government and policy research organizations. For Richard, those conversations had a direct impact. “Our discussions informed me in detail about job expectations and focus,” he said. “I was able to use this insight to secure an internship in a transatlantic think tank.”
Alumni involvement throughout the trip reflected the strong MATA presence in Washington across government, diplomacy, and policy research. This presence includes alumni with origins on both sides of the Atlantic.
“Many MATA alumni work in DC,” said Riddle. “We’ve seen students work in the U.S. Senate, at European embassies, at think tanks, and in the private sector.”
Fletcher students during previous DC career trip (Photo: Laura Hatcher)
The trip complements other career exploration opportunities offered by both Fletcher and partner schools. Fletcher organizes a student-wide visit to Washington every spring, along with a career trip to New York City each fall. MATA students can also attend career visits to both Geneva and Brussels during their semesters studying at the College of Europe. The transatlantic trip to DC is the newest of these offerings, launched in 2024 with the support of Fletcher leadership and alumni.
With consistently positive student feedback, the Washington, DC site visit will remain a core feature of the MATA experience, with plans to expand programming and deepen engagement in future years.