An excellent introduction to the Beltway Past Review

By hall.mathew.9 (Political Science and Government., Middlebury College) - abroad from 08/26/2012 to 12/14/2012 with

Georgetown University: Washington, DC - Semester in Washington DC Program

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?

I learned that I absolutely want to return to DC in the future to live and work. Furthermore, I realized that I probably want to go to law school at some point in the future. Therefore, it was absolutely worth it.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program?	6 months+

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.
* Host Country Program Administration On-site administration of your program
* Housing: How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?
* Food:
* Social & Cultural Integration: How integrated did you feel with the local culture?
* Health Care: How well were health issues addressed during the program?
* Safety:
If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program?	Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget? (1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week?	$50
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants?	Make your lunches at the dining hall and take them with you to your internship.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component?	No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live? Select all that apply	Dorm
* Who did you live with? Select all that apply	Americans Other
* Who did you take classes with? Select all that apply	Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?	The other students The internship The in class simulations
* What could be improved?	The quality of the dorms The communication between administration and students early in the program
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program?	I wish I knew just how different from Middlebury going to college in a big city was.

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.	The Academic or Linguist You went abroad with specific academic goals in mind; the program credentials and rigor of your coursework abroad were very important to you. You had a great time abroad, but never lost sight of your studies and (if applicable) were diligent with your foreign language study. Good for you!

Individual Course Reviews

Course Name/Rating:	Politics and Public Policy Seminar
Course Department:	Semester in Washington
Instructor:	Sam Potolicchio
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	While not extremely challenging the course provided an alternative approach to the study of American politics focusing much more on the presentation of issues and the interaction with media instead of theoretical discussions.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No

Course Name/Rating:	Research Seminar
Course Department:	Semester in Washington
Instructor:	Sam Potolicchio
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course consisted of researching and writing a major academic paper. Therefore, this course did not include a lot of structured rigor but rather was made difficult by the scope of the project that needed to be completed
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.

Course Name/Rating:	Internship Seminar
Course Department:	Semester in Washington
Instructor:	Brad Blakeman
Instruction Language:	English
Comments:	This course was the least challenging of the three yet one of the more enjoyable because it provided a venue where I was able to interact with experts in various fields. This was facilitated by many guest lecturers from around the DC area.
Credit Transfer Issues:	No.