Just noting that like most universities, AU has a semester in DC (ie, down by Capitol Hill) for their students.
All students get internships on their own. AU has good networking- students may get leads through the university / profs / etc. but they still apply and interview for them on their own. For most students (esp in years 1 & 2, but ime even 3) most of their internships will not be during term time, simply b/c of the distance.
Part-time jobs and internships are different kettles of fish (for a start, one of them is paid! most internships for UGs get at best college credit and a stipend.
@Twoin18’s point is well taken: for out of term internships, all college students are competing with students from all over the US. This goes back to the point that I made way upthread: the key to success is a combination of hustle and being able to take un- or poorly- paid internships. Note that 90% of congressional interns are unpaid (hence why it was a big deal when 2 senators (Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.; Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho) and 3 reps (Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash, Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif. and Rep Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY) said that they would pay $15/hour. Take a look at what AU expects it to cost you for a for-credit summer internship: https://www.alma.edu/live/files/2123-2018-usa-washington-dc-american-university-su18