Notes from the first few weeks of the Fall 2006 Washington Semester Program by Nick Lomma, Charleston Southern University Honors Program student and a Washington Semester Program intern in Senator Jim DeMint's office:

"During our first week of orientation we had a scavenger hunt that covered SEVERAL miles taking us to Virginia, and all over DC. Our group took a tour of the magnificent Library Of Congress. We also went to the Museum of American History before it closed for renovations. We were scheduled to go to a Washington Nationals baseball game but it was rained out."

"The best part about my internship is that they encourage us to experience everything. I can go to any committee meetings, press conferences or official Government events that a staff member has access to. I’ve already met several Senators and Congressmen and taken a tour of the White House, some things that I normally couldn’t experience."

Nick Lomma

STUDENT LIFE IN D.C.  

Students become quite comfortable using the Metro system as their primary means of transportation. 

Living in Washington, D.C.

Students live in a modern apartment-style dormitory managed by Washington Intern Student Housing (WISH)   www.internsdc.com.  Students from around the nation, enrolled in similar programs, live in housing managed by WISH.  The classroom space is conveniently located next door to the student housing.

Located within a few blocks of the Capitol, the Supreme Court and federal office buildings, our apartments provide a secure, comfortable “home away from home” for students.  The building is two blocks from Union Station, http://www.unionstationdc.com/ , conveniently providing easy access to the Metro, Amtrack, shopping, restaurants and entertainment.

The Brownstone-style apartment has three stories, fully furnished.  Students share rooms with one or possibly two other students.   There are four bathrooms, two kitchens and two common living areas.  Flat screen cable TV’s are located in the common living areas and basic kitchen dishware and cooking items are provided.   The apartment has high-speed wireless Internet service.  A laundry room is located in the building for the convenience of the students.   WISH housing provides a monthly cleaning service and responds quickly to any maintenance needs.

The best part of this - - you don’t have to find your own place to live -- it’s all taken care of.

There is life outside of work and school.

Washington is a young person's city, filled with students at four major universities, congressional staffers, and people from all over the world.  Day life and nightlife are busy and diverse.  Washington DC has some of the world’s most renowned museums, major performing arts venues, art galleries, movie theatres, concerts from performers of all musical styles, lectures, and book readings and signings.  An added advantage is that much of the entertainment is free.  For a glimpse of the variety of entertainment, check out the Washington City Paper at http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/ .

  Washington is a major metropolitan area that is among American’s most diverse cities.  This is an opportunity to brush shoulders with hundreds of different nationalities, enjoy dozens of exotic cuisines, hear multiple languages, attend ethnic festivals, shop in eclectic neighborhoods, and become acquainted with individuals and groups not likely to be encountered in South Carolina.  

The group poses in front of Teaism, an Asian-inspired tea house and restaurant in Washington DC.

Haily Davis, a Winthrop University student, enjoying a group outing at the Washington Capitals Hockey game.