Tagged: Study Abroad
Heather Goldin
4 Reasons I chose to study “abroad” in Washington
Heather Goldin
Fall 2015
Entering Boston University, I knew I wanted to study abroad. Last Spring, I was deciding between leaving the country completely — a choice that 40 percent of students make — and interning in Washington, D.C. Here are the reasons I chose to be in the Nation’s capital.
1. Networking with professionals, and other students
Boston University’s Washington, DC program is typically smaller than other abroad destinations, which is a great way to get to know other students in the program. Many of my peers are also interested in coming back to DC after graduation, so I know that they will be great connections down the road. More
Angela Zhang
How to Deal with Your Busy Schedule
Angela Zhang
Summer 2015
Since you are reading this blog, you probably are thinking about applying to the BUDC program, which I strongly encourage you to do so. However, you should get ready to be busy, very busy, especially if you are here for the summer. If you only take two classes, or an internship, it is fine. But if you are like me, taking two mandatory classes and two internships your schedule is more intense, or say, crazier. Besides the academic and career aspects, you also want to have fun and enjoy the city. How to balance these things is a big challenge.
As a person who keeps busy for quite a long time, I figured out some tips that can help deal with a busy schedule:
Jiawei Lu
Running in DC
Jiawei Lu
Summer 2015
For those of you who are enthusiastic about running, studying abroad in DC is your best choice! As an international student, my understanding of DC is only that it is the capital of the U.S., people here are quite professional, and the cherry blossoms in April are fantastic. In Boston, I normally run along the Charles River after class, because the process of running not only makes me healthier, but also offers me a special period of time for me to refresh myself, especially when I am under pressure. Before I went to DC, I had already made a decision that I needed to buy a gym membership because I was not familiar with the running area in DC. However, everything changed when I actually arrive in DC.
Lindsey Hover
The Roses and Thorns of Working Remotely
Lindsey Hover
Summer 2015
On my first day as a young working professional in Washington, DC, I sat behind my computer screen and watched as my peers hastily cooked their breakfasts, suited up, and headed out to begin their commutes. Sitting there in my sweatpants, I felt a mild jealousy, glamorizing the suits and skirts, and the half hour commute to work as emblematic of a “real life” that I, as a remote worker on two jobs, was missing.
Kelsey Nagle
Advice to an Incoming BUDC Student
Kelsey Nagle
Summer 2015
I joined the DC program believing that I would just go through the motions of interning while getting some class credits out of the way, and would come back after two months and carry on with my life. However, DC has helped me to learn so much about myself and my views, and has helped me figure out a lot about my future. My best advice about starting a program such as BUDC is to keep an open mind and take advantage of the opportunities that will be given to you.
Claire Peaceman
How I Made Lemonade of My Summer
Claire Peaceman
Summer 2015
I have spent most of my time recently making lemonade from the lemons life has thrown my way. I spent almost every day of the spring semester searching for my perfect DC internship opportunity. I had every job posting website bookmarked on my laptop, I called in favors from contacts I had in Washington, and I spoke frequently with Chelsea and Walter to strategize. I ended up applying to nearly 50 different internship positions. And still, I boarded the plane to Washington in late May with no set placement lined up for myself.
Margaux Carle
5 Things You Should Know Before Riding the Metro in the Summer
Margaux Carle
Summer 2015
1. If you have to walk to the metro stop, prepare for sweat
It’s no secret that DC summers are brutal. The heat warnings alone would be enough to make you second-guess why you chose to spend your summer in DC, but the real killer is the humidity. DC is a beautiful city that can be fun to commute through…. until you drown on your way to the bus stop! Unfortunately, humidity is hard to combat so be prepared for some sweaty commutes. When in doubt, bring a spare shirt or, ladies, put your hair up!
Laura Capicotto
Interning Abroad vs. Interning “Abroad”
Laura Capicotto
Summer 2015
I had the privilege to study in Dublin this past spring semester. It was a time I will never forget and always cherish. As cultured as my time in Europe made me, I do not believe it benefited me professionally. Similar to the DC program, students have an internship while in Dublin. However, the Dublin program places you in a position. The best you can do is cross your fingers and hope it applies to your major or interest in any way possible. I was placed in a small boutique firm that focused on lifestyle brands and products. As nice as the employees (and by employees I mean the boss and her two other interns) were, I quickly realized this was not going to be as much of a productive use of my time as I wanted. On an average day I would have about an hour of actual work to accomplish then I would be done for the day. However, it was all a learning experience: I learned that this was not the environment or type of work I would like to be involved with until the end of my days. I left Ireland on April 24th with a more clear vision of where I wanted my life to go. More
Sophia Foutsitzis
Why D.C. Isn’t Just Studying Away
By Sophia Foutsitzis
Summer 2015
While it may not be London, Sydney, or Shanghai, studying abroad in Washington DC will be a fulfilling experience for anyone of any background. Personally, my whole life has essentially been a study abroad. Having grown up in India and with my Greek heritage, my understanding of American culture was limited to what I witnessed when I visited very summer and what I learned in the classroom at my international school. While I love to travel and I actively pursue any opportunity I have to visit a new country, part of me was curious to explore this country. The country I chose to study in.
World War Two Memorial looking at the Washington Memorial
Jordan Bernard
How does studying “abroad” in DC compare to studying abroad elsewhere?
By Jordan Bernard
Spring 2014
Me with some of my coworkers from the VA
In Summer 2013 I was lucky enough to spend my time in Dublin, Ireland on the BU Summer Internship Program. It was truly one of the most amazing experiences of my life and the entire summer went by in a blur of fun. My internship was great, the city was great, the bars were great, and the culture was great. But at the end of the day my time spent there was incredible because of the experience I had immersing myself in a country that was new to me and most likely not going to be in my itinerary in the near future. It was an opportunity to forget that I was a rising senior and was going to return to America to a whirlwind of job searches and squeezing in those last minute requirements. I chose to come to Washington, DC my last semester at BU hesitantly in a last-ditch effort to figure out what I wanted to do when the dreaded May graduation date rolled in. As the final weeks in the program approach, I can honestly say that all the fun I had in Ireland could not even come close to competing with my experience in Washington.
