Meghan Rydell: Undergraduate Student Spotlight
July 21, 2026 Written by Chiu-Yin Mak | Photos courtesy of Meghan Rydell
Honors student spends spring semester interning with Congresswoman Sarah McBride
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For Meghan Rydell, a senior double majoring in international relations and public policy at the 91原创, public service is more than an academic interest鈥攊t is a passion rooted in helping people and creating meaningful change.
As a member of the Honors College, a Community Engagement Scholar and a participant in 91原创鈥檚 4+1 Master of Public Administration (MPA) program, Rydell has consistently sought opportunities to connect her classroom learning with real-world experience. During the spring semester, she took that commitment to Washington, D.C., as part of the University鈥檚 Semester in D.C. Program, serving as a Washington D.C. Fellow and interning in the office of Congresswoman Sarah McBride.
The experience gave Rydell an opportunity to see firsthand how the concepts she studied in her political science and international relations courses play out in the real world. She credits courses such as POSC 313: American Foreign Policy and POSC 410: Islam in Global Affairs with helping her understand the complex international issues she encountered during her internship.
One assignment that proved particularly valuable was a war simulation in POSC 313, where students were tasked with responding to an escalating international crisis. During the simulation, Rydell served as president of the United States, making difficult decisions as tensions moved toward potential conflict. Months later, while on Capitol Hill during the outbreak of the war in Iran, she found herself drawing on many of the same concepts she had explored in the classroom.
鈥淧OSC 313 taught me the terminology and philosophies I needed to make sense of the real-world situations unfolding right in front of me,鈥 Rydell said.
As an intern, Rydell served as a primary point of contact for constituents, answering phone calls, emails and voicemails, greeting visitors and helping connect Delawareans with the resources they needed. Beyond constituent services, she also contributed to legislative and communications projects, including policy research, briefing memos, speech transcription, photography and social media content.
Among her proudest accomplishments was听 writing two legislative cosponsorship memos that were ultimately presented to Congresswoman McBride. One focused on foreign affairs, while the other examined the intersection of agriculture and cybersecurity.
Writing the memos required extensive research, policy analysis and an understanding of how legislation can effect international relationships and stakeholders. Rydell drew on knowledge of international relations theories, global institutions and the factors that influence decision-making among nations that she learned in multiple political science courses.
鈥淚鈥檓 proud to say she signed on to both bills I wrote memos for,鈥 Rydell said. 鈥淭his experience was meaningful because I got to make a direct impact on the legislative process and help fill gaps in the Congresswoman鈥檚 policy portfolio, helping our team better serve Delawareans.鈥
Another memorable experience came while leading a Capitol tour for a family who had recently become American citizens after waiting 20 years.
鈥淗earing their story and showing them the history of America, which they have been connected to and are now part of, was an impactful experience. It reminded me of the hope that democracy and citizenship promise,鈥 Rydell said.
The internship also reinforced lessons she learned from faculty mentors about the importance of networking and relationship-building. Through coffee chats and conversations with professionals across Capitol Hill, she explored a variety of career paths and policy areas. Research papers and class projects completed throughout her political science and international relations coursework also helped her identify the issues she was most passionate about pursuing professionally.
鈥淭he internship helped me clearly see careers in the field I have studied鈥 Rydell said. 鈥淚 was grateful for the hands-on experience and the opportunity to find a place and a job where I felt I belonged.鈥
Whether on Capitol Hill or in local government, Rydell remains driven by a desire to serve communities and improve lives through thoughtful, people-centered policy.
Students interested in gaining similar experience can explore internship opportunities through the听 Political Science and International Relations Internship course, the听91原创 Spring Semester in Washington, D.C.听and the听Student Career Center.