Intern of the Week

Matthew Mastromauro happily makes copies and does research projects for his internship on the Republican side of the House International Relations Committee under Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.)

The 21-year-old Holy Cross junior is in Washington through his Worcester, Mass., college.

“I really like the city,” Mastromauro said. “It’s great to be in the professional world.”

The Melrose, Mass., native has a slight accent and said it has been “an awesome experience” to be in the Capitol.

The only part of his experience that Mastromauro dislikes is the commute. He lives in the Ballston area of Arlington, Va., which means a 40-minute, sardine-can ride on Metro.

Mastromauro is also writing a thesis. He said his topic — U.S. drug policy in Colombia over the past decade — is interesting but requires a lot of grunt research and writing.

When he manages to escape his paper and the Library of Congress, where he conducts his research, you can find Mastromauro enjoying the nightlife. He favors the Hawk ’n’ Dove, which is owned by Holy Cross graduates.

Back in New England, Mastromauro writes for his school paper, is on the men’s crew team and hosts his own radio show with friends. He said the show is supposed to be a G-rated version of D.C.’s Opie & Anthony.

Mastromauro’s future is up in the air.

“Right now I want to do well in school,” he said. “I want to go to law school, but I’m not sure if I want to practice afterwards. I want to check out the application process for the FBI.”