About the Author: Andrea Guscott ’21 – Spring 2020, Semester in Washington, D.C. She is a junior political science major and masters in public policy student. She studied abroad in Washington D.C. through The Washington Center in the spring of her junior year.
In the spring semester of 2020, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Washington D.C. through The Washington Center. Through this program, you have a full-time internship, one night class, and a Friday class called LEAD Colloquium. During my time in D.C. I interned at the Department of Justice: Environment and Natural Resources Division. My internship consisted of writing memos, updating electronic files, and whatever other tasks my supervisors required. My night class was about weapons of mass destruction, which was every Thursday night from 6:30 to 9:30. The LEAD class was every Friday morning and consisted of getting to know ourselves better, guest speakers, and career exploration days.
However, the most exciting part about living in DC was getting to sightsee! Before coming to D.C. I made a list of places I would want to visit on the weekends. The list included traditional tourist destinations like the Washington Monument and the Smithsonian museums. I soon came to realize that D.C. had so much more to offer than just the traditional tourist destinations. My favorite non-tourist destinations were Ford’s Theater, Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument House and Museum, and Artechouse. Ford’s theater is the theater where President Lincoln was shot. The theater consists of a museum and a tour of the building. With the cost being only a recommended donation, this is an ideal day trip for a college student. The Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument House was home to the National Women’s Party, which fought for women’s suffrage and women’s rights. The museum depicts the struggle for equality. Artechouse is a modern art museum just a few blocks south of the Mall. With each month highlighting a new artist, the museum is constantly changing.
In the Washington Center’s apartments, you are provided a fully stocked kitchen, but sometimes it is nice to go out and eat. My favorite places are Union Market and The Dubliner. Union Market is just a ten-minute walk from the residential facility. The market has a vast array of food options; they offer everything from Korean food to Italian. The Dubliner is a quick metro ride away from the residential facility. It is an Irish Pub and a great place to take parents or friends to if they are visiting you for a day or weekend.
Overall, D.C. is an amazing place to live and experience. There are so many activities to do, sights to see, and adventures to have. I could not have chosen a better place to study abroad. So, what adventures await you here in D.C.?
Blue Jays Abroad 
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