The Washington Center: Disappointment in an Incredible City Past Review
By Jean D (American Ethnic Studies, Clark University) for
The Washington Center: Washington, DC - Washington, D.C. Internship Program
It was definitely worthwhile, especially since I have never lived out-of-state before. Washington, D.C. is an incredible city and I learned how to live on my own (and with strangers...). Being here really solidified my plans to become a teacher!
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
We were not aware of exactly what was expected of us until arrival in Washington, D.C. In addition to the course workload (which was reasonable, albeit a little elementary) we had to complete a portfolio that ultimately was of little to no educational/professional use to me. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Expectations were NOT met. Program advisers and personnel were not readily available to program participants and they seemed unable to get things done in a timely manner (for example, the only printer in the building was broken for at least half the semester). Looking back, the only really positive experience I had with the Washington Center was that their facilities were new and clean. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
The neighborhood was safe, especially for a big city like Washington, D.C. We did have to provide bedding, pillows, etc., but enough cookware/flatware was provided to students for basic cooking. The Residential and Academic Facility was located in the northeast quadrant of the city, in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood called NoMa (which stands for "North of Massachusetts Ave.), about five blocks from two separate red line Metro stops. |
| * Food: |
N/A. The Washington Center does not provide food for participants, but there is a grocery store several blocks away. Also, Washington, D.C. is PACKED with great places to eat! |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Washington, D.C., like any other large city, is as safe as you make it. The Washington Center provided shuttle buses to the grocery store and two closest Metro stops, but did not provide any other health services. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
No
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Finances
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* 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) |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
Select all that apply |
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* Who did you live with?
Select all that apply |
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A Look Back
| * What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? | Definitely make friends quickly to explore the city with! Washington, D.C. is absolutely gorgeous and jam-packed with things to do (many of them free!). If you're 21... even better! There are interns everywhere (especially in the summer) and happy hours are great places to meet people and hang out. |
