By Kara Korab
Summer 2013

Every Friday the BU Washington program takes us on mini-outings all around DC. These field trips have included places such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Pentagon, the National Bulding Museum (read Vlad’s blog post about that), a Washington Nationals baseball game, and countless others. Being from the DMV (That’s DC, Maryland, Virginia to you non-Mid-Atlanticers) area, I didn’t expect to be wow-ed by any of the places we went. After all, I’ve been doing field trips to the National Mall since elementary school.

The Newseum

I am delighted to say that BU Washington proved me wrong, every Friday outing brought us to a new and interesting place I probably wouldn’t have gone on my own. This being the last blog post I’ve had plenty of time to consider every outing. While I loved something different about every one if I had to narrow it down the clear winner is our first Friday event — the Newseum. The Newseum’s seven floors are packed with interactive exhibits that explore how news has affected our experience of history. It is a perfect trifecta of all the things I love; journalism, history, and politics.

View from the Newseum balcony. Unfortunately it was raining when we were there.

I could have spent days exploring its fifteen theaters and fifteen galleries. As a photojournalist I found myself particularly drawn to certain sections of the Newseum, including an exhibit on the photographs of the only journalist who died in the attack on 9/11 and an exhibit on every photograph to in a Pulitzer Prize. The Newseum also does a tremendous job keeping current and up to date with new media forms of broadcasting the news, including an entire room devoted to the daily headlines in almost every country around the world. With a gorgeous view of the Capitol Building(see photo below), heart wrenching exhibits on  9/11, the Berlin Wall, and the assignation of JFK , and even an Interactive Newsroom (that’s right, where visitors get to play the role of a live action reporter!) the Newseum is hard to beat.

In front of the White House

Kara Korab is a senior majoring in International Relations. Before coming to DC she had participated in the BU Abroad Paris Internship Program.

By Mike Meehan
Summer 2013

This summer in DC has certainly been full of memories. I’ve been lucky enough to attend events at the White House, the Capitol, and venues across the district. But I’ll have to admit, the best event I attended this summer was the Center for American Progress National Summit.

More

By Leslie Backoff
Summer 2013

In a city full of interns studying subjects such as political science or international relations I often get looked at weirdly when I say that I am studying hospitality administration.  People become even more surprised to hear that my internship consists of planning meetings and events at a military university.  I must admit that when I was offered an internship at National Defense University I was a bit apprehensive about how much it would actually relate to event planning.  However, with my time at NDU coming to an end I can completely say that I have had great experiences that I will take with me for the rest of my career in the hospitality industry.

National Defense University is located on Fort McNair in the South West part of D.C.  The wide range of masters programs and research centers as well as the large number of international students that come to study at NDU make for very diverse types of events on campus.  Every year, the events department at NDU will put on over 600 events that range from a meeting with four people to the graduation ceremony that hosts over 3,000 attendees.  Some of the events I have helped with include: a dedication of an original set of plans for the Normandy invasion, a meeting with Australian scholars, the NDU graduation ceremonies, a seminar on China and Iran, and a speech by the ambassador from Iraq.

More

By Aaron Nair
Summer 2013

With a multitude of nationalities and ethnicities represented, it isn’t surprising to find that Washington is one of the most diverse American cities, if not the most. This diversity is best represented in none other than the city’s culinary scene.

When you have dining options ranging from Ethiopian to Uruguayan, you have yourself a gastronomic version of the UN (sans the spineless bureaucracy and acrimonious exchanges, of course). As for me, a lifelong advocate of multiculturalism (you can call me a product of my “Chindian” upbringing), such a plethora of cuisines is definitely a check on my scorecard. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the great city of Washington, DC is my favorite place to eat in Washington, DC.

More

By Cara Burke
Summer 2013

Walking into my internship on the first day, I felt like I was playing dress up in my dad’s office. This has been my first experience working in a true office setting and it has been a great adventure for me. My favorite part of my internship is how it applies to my major and my future. I am an education major at Boston University and in D.C., I have been interning at the D.C. State Board of Education. When I graduate I plan on becoming a teacher but I hope to eventually end up in education politics so this internship has been a perfect introduction for me.

More

By Lital Kroll
Summer 2013

Washington, DC, is a city of stark dichotomy, especially when you consider the fact that the entire area spans only 61 square miles. Of course, you can pretty much divide the city between Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, locals and tourists. However, the chief difference I have noticed during my past month and a half here is the wide fiscal discrepancy in costs, ranging from extremely expensive to unconditionally, indisputably, and absolutely free. If you manage to avoid those pricey brunches, dinners, and happy-hour drinks, you can practically enjoy everything the city has to offer without spending too much money. I’m not saying it’s easy (or even that I’ve managed to succeed in it) but it is possible.

More

By Caleb Montague
Summer 2013

Since living in the capital, I’ve gained a better cultural understanding of this city through its vibrant neighborhoods and the distinct cuisine representative of each niche within D.C. Of all the dives, eateries, and cafés that I’ve had the chance to experience, my favorite meal came from a small restaurant in Chinatown called Eat First Restaurant.

After visiting the National Portrait Gallery as part of our usual Friday program excursions, the group collectively decided to wander over to Chinatown for lunch. Now for those of you who have ventured to the Chinatown in Boston, the Chinatown in D.C. mimics its charm with some intermittent rough patches, but in a smaller more compact area. The vibrant colored awnings and the flashing signs from the restaurant windows made it almost impossible to decide where to eat. After asking the DC Program Manager, Fabiana, for advice, we chose to try Eat First Restaurant.

More

By Patrick Hermann
Summer 2013

Bumping into the original policy wonk, Ezra Klein of the Washington Post & MSNBC.

With the energy sector dominating the top 5 companies in Monday’s Forbes 500 rankings, it is pivotal to understand the relationship between energy and climate. That is, the sources in which the U.S. obtains the source for all industry, productivity, and transportation, is ultimately reflected upon the growing issue of anthropocentric climate change. Since the industrial revolution, there has undeniably been an increased level of carbon emissions, deforestation, land use change, sea level rise, and other activities harmful to biodiversity and the environment. A midst all political quarrels in Washington, climate change continues to be largest threat to humanity, as it directly affects agriculture, precipitation patterns, and other key elements of which our society depends on today.

More

By Matt Acosta
Summer 2013

Being in DC for the summer has truly opened my eyes to a wide range of possibilities and opportunities. At BU, my major is Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Marketing. However, being in such a policy-minded environment, attending think tank events, and reading up on global affairs has made me realize the strong passion I have for foreign policy. Specifically, I am very interested in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. In DC, I have had the opportunity to attend amazing events at the Middle East Institute, Capitol Hill, and the Brookings Institution that have fueled these interests. I have also been learning as much as possible about the countries in these regions and the pitfalls or strides they are currently facing.

More

By Vlad Solomon
Summer 2013

Since coming to Washington, D.C., I’ve made it a priority to branch out and attend all of the wonderful sites and events that make this city so unique and incredible. To supplement my own adventures, the program has built-in mini field trips each Friday ranging from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to a duck tour on the Potomac River. But perhaps my favorite trip thus far has been mini-golfing at the National Building Museum with everyone from the Debonair (the snazzy dorm we live in).

More