NDMU Student Takes Capitol Hill by Storm

From sitting in the United Nations to studying abroad, Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) works with its students to find once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that will open doors to their future.

For Emily Przyborowski, ’19, a political science, civil law and engagement major she is hoping those doors lead to the Oval Office. Przyborowski has spent her time at NDMU gaining as much political experience as she can. Over the years, she has worked/interned with the Republican National Committee (RNC), Congressman Andy Harris, Senator Richard Burr, and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee for Senator Rand Paul.

This summer, Przyborowski took her experience to the next level, working with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies, a Department of Defense Regional Center. She assisted in research, publishing, and logistical development for the counter-terrorism training programs. 

Her experiences over the years have allowed her to directly witness the innerworkings of the U.S. Government, specifically Congress and the electoral process. Przyborowski, credits these experiences with helping aid her studies, “They allowed me to attend policy briefings, committee hearings, and conferences. Seeing, first-hand, just how the government functions helps me in class because I feel like I have the experience needed to further my understandings of the lecture, not to mention how to apply it to real life situations and conversations.”

Emily Przyborowski talks with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States of America, Dina Kawar.

As the first Maryland University granted the United Nations NGO status, Notre Dame is a major supporter of students’ growing interest in politics. With a highly successful study abroad program, students like Przyborowski are able to study in countries that may not be as easily accessible, and places that they may not have normally considered.

During the Fall of 2017, Przyborowski studied in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. She studied Arabic language, Arab History, and the Israeli Palestinian Conflict. She says that the greatest part of the experience was the cultural understanding she developed. “Policy makers and people in government need a better understanding of Arab culture when crafting policy. It is the job of the next generation to craft responsible policy that can benefit both cultures.”

Przyborowski is just beginning to realize her dreams and aspirations. As she heads into her senior year, she is starting to research graduate schools and is turning to the University’s political science department for assistance. She is hoping to find a program in D.C., where her dream is to work in the Senate or as a research assistant in one of the Congressional think tanks.