In college, Spring Break has become synonymous in the minds of students with images of beaches and parties, but for a select few at Southeast Missouri State University it is an opportunity to not only learn new things, but a chance to visit our nation's capitol in Washington, D.C.

Through the Center for Strategic and International Studies, students get the chance to spend a week in Washington with top officials learning about global issues. For professor of economics and faculty fellow in the Office of the Provost Dr. Willie Redmond this is more than just a trip, it's a life-changing opportunity that any Southeast student would benefit from.

"It's a wonderful experience and I know that you're giving away possible beach activities, but you get to spend Spring Break in D.C. around true policy makers that are really driving change in today's world," Redmond said. "One could easily say this is a good resumé line and it certainly is, but it's amazing how many of those guys are just willing to give someone their business card with their number."

There are two ways for students to apply for the CSIS Washington trip. Students can either apply directly through the dean of their college or through the president of the university, Dr. Kenneth W. Dobbins. The deadline for applying through the department deans passed on Sept. 20, but interested students can continue to apply with Dobbins until Oct. 11.

"We want students from all over campus," Redmond said. "Speakers are always surprised that we don't just have 30 political science majors. Each dean picks their top two-four spots, this helps to represent all of the Southeast campus. After the deans have made their decisions, the president then picks eight more [students]."

With 30 spots available, the process is competitive. Eligibility for students is determined by four key qualifications: have at least 60 credit hours with the university and no more than 90, a GPA of at least 3.0, have demonstrated leadership involvement on or off campus and finally submit one letter of recommendation and the names of two other references, one of whom must be a Southeast faculty or staff member.

"All kinds of things add value [to the application]," Redmond said. "Obviously the classroom part of Southeast is important -- students have to make those grades because you're competing against others who are making the grades -- unfortunately that's a way in which one is valued against another person sometimes. However, I think it's very important to take advantage of the other opportunities offered on campus, whether they're clubs or something else. There are so many other ways for one to learn about life and grow as a person."

For Southeast senior Ashley Books, the experience was so great that she actually wished she could go again.

"I'd do it again in a heartbeat," Books said. "I think this program taught me to really look at world issues in a new light."

Books attended the March 2013 conference with 29 other Southeast students and got the chance to meet with several influential people in Washington including Gen. Martin E. Dempsey. Dempsey serves as the principal adviser to the president, the secretary of defense and the National Security Council. By law, he is the nation's highest-ranking military officer.

To prepare for Washington, students meet several times beforehand and have several reading materials to prepare them.

"We only had to read one book that I actually just downloaded to my iPad, but I tried to stay current so I'd actually know what was happening around the world at the time," Books said. "I would say the experience was something that I was very proud to be a part of, but it's sadly something I'll never be a part of again."

For more information regarding the applications and the CSIS trip to Washington, D.C., visit semo.edu/csis.