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
Washington D.C. has always been a mystery to me; I really didn’t understand what it was. Is it in the leagues of Chicago, New York, and Boston? Is it a city or a town? Is D.C. even a state? All of these questions run through my mind, even now that I’ve lived here for a month. The thing is that D.C. is a constant mystery, which makes it such an exciting destination to study. It is a mixture of city and town, and has a sense of charm that can be paralleled to other famous cities around the country. You won’t find a more politically charged, ethnically unique, or professionally packed city than Washington.
The first time I visited DC was almost a year before I did this program. I visited for a day during my spring break trip to Maryland—I wasn’t impressed. I saw the Newseum, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, and the White House, and while those were all amazing, the city itself didn’t stick out to me. My analysis was that it was a town full of short buildings, wide roads, and people in black shades and suits, an environment that had no vibrancy. This to me was so different from Boston, and I didn’t really understand the appeal of DC unless your focus was on politics. After coming back for this program, my perception has completely changed. With the influx of interns coming into DC during the summer, I saw the life DC had to offer, something that is honestly so appealing that I would consider returning after graduation for a few years.
Possibly the most exciting part about being in DC is the ability to take advantage of all the free and cheap things that are available during the summer. Go see a movie on the national mall, watch a performance at the Shakespeare library or Kennedy Center, or enjoy those killer happy hour deals anywhere around the city. The one thing you won’t have a problem with here, is finding a new place to eat. I find myself panicking at the thought that I haven’t tried every authentic cuisine that DC can offer, specifically South American and Ethiopian food. While we all live on a budget, I urge anyone to put aside some money to try new food; this is important, people.
So while you may not be gallivanting around Europe or reaching new depths exploring the Great Barrier Reef, you will see U.S. History being changed around with things like Supreme Court decisions. Explore the unique culture that is less than 400 miles of our home campus. Washington DC will shock you with how different it is from the rest of the country. Being neither a northern nor southern city, you find a fine blend of accepting, genuine, and thoughtful attitudes. This program will be an unforgettable experience, especially if you put in the effort to make it one. See the monuments, see the museums, but also immerse yourself within the Washington community and take advantage of this unique and incredible opportunity. Don’t just see it is as a study away, but make it the study abroad experience that it is.
Sophia Foutsitzis is a rising Junior studying international management and information systems management and interning at Nest DC, a property management company.
