Details

• United States of America
• BBE-18
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Honestly, except for the usual stuff of finding accomdiation and picking good courses, just be spotaneous. The city of D.C. is full of endless opportunities, especially for jobs. If you are thinking about getting an internship after the exchange ended with your J1-visa, then you should perhaps already spend some time thinking about potential employers you wanna reach out to once you are there to ensure that you get your internship approved before the exchange ends.

2. Accommodation

Most of the housing options I found online were sublets, and a lot of them came with sketchy landlords or questionable “agents.” I even had one agent reach out to me directly on WhatsApp, which didn’t exactly inspire confidence. After looking around for a while, I ended up choosing the safest option: renting a shared dorm room through GW for about $2,000 per month (no cleaning service is included in the rent + furniture may be dirty). I had a great roommate, and two fairly introverted Americans as suitemates who shared the other room. I lived in 1959 E Street. It’s convenient if you’re taking classes at the international school since it’s right nearby, but the building sits on the edge of campus. It’s about a 10-minute walk to the closest metro stop and the nearest supermarket, and honestly it’s not a great place if you’re hoping to socialize. If you can, I’d recommend District House instead: it’s much more central, generally makes it easier to meet people (especially early on, since you can choose an international affinity and you’ll be surrounded by other internationals), and the rent is usually cheaper. Overall, Foggy Bottom is a great neighborhood. It’s right next to downtown, where a lot of the best events in DC happen, and with the National Mall and the Potomac River nearby, you’ve got fantastic routes for running or long walks. It also feels very safe—there’s a strong campus police presence and plenty of city police—so walking around at night in winter never felt particularly risky. On top of that, most things are walkable, and the area has its own “bubble” feel—almost like a little world apart from the political DC atmosphere just next door.

3. Academic life at host university

The library is open 24/7 and there’s usually enough space for everyone—even during exam weeks. Aesthetics-wise, though, it does feel like a bit of a downgrade compared to the WU library. Overall, the campus itself is… fine, but not particularly impressive—and definitely less “fancy” than places like Georgetown or Catholic University in DC. So don’t expect grand, historic-looking buildings. The university is essentially woven into the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, with major landmarks and institutions nearby (the White House, the National Mall, the IMF, and the World Bank). Because it’s so integrated into the city, the vibe is also different from the more classic, self-contained “campus life” you might imagine at some US universities. It’s not like WU Campus, where everything feels more closed-off and separate from downtown. There are campus sports, but you won’t find a huge stadium atmosphere—sports tend to be smaller-scale. Academics-wise, exams are generally easy to pass, and professors are very approachable. At least in political science-related courses, many professors come from government backgrounds, so they bring a lot of practical, real-world experience into class. Be prepared to write a lot of papers, though. Disclaimer: four out of my five courses were politics-related, so I can’t really speak to business or economics classes.

5. Every day life in the host country

The metro is clean, safe, and straightforward to use—arguably one of the best systems in North America. Compared with many European networks, though, it can feel more “average” in terms of coverage and frequency. Buses can be hit-or-miss, and they’re much easier to navigate if you use an app like Citymapper. Overall, the city feels very safe, especially downtown and in the wealthier western neighborhoods, where there’s a strong police presence. Parts of the east can feel less comfortable at times, and the social divides are more visible. Washington, DC is fundamentally a political city, and much of its economy revolves around government and the industries that support it. Because of that, it can feel more like a place people come to work than a place with the all-around “live here for the lifestyle” energy you might associate with New York or Boston. If nightlife and partying are a priority, you may find it underwhelming. On the other hand, if you enjoy cultural and social events, DC can be fantastic—embassies, think tanks, and institutions host frequent talks and receptions, and with a bit of planning you can easily hop from one event to the next (often with free food).

6. Testimonial

First of all, I’m really grateful for the amazing opportunity to spend an extended period abroad for the first time with not just traveling, but actually living somewhere, and to have that first experience be on a completely different continent, surrounded by a unique culture. Since I want to focus on international relations in my master’s and future career, Washington, D.C. felt like the perfect place for me. It’s an incredible hub for future opportunities: beyond being the U.S. capital, it plays a major role on the global stage, and the city is home to so many influential organizations and people shaping international politics. So in a nutshell, it was a great experience.