Live. Learn. Intern. in Washington, DC

Students enjoying The National Mall at sunset. — *During Orientation Weekend, students participate in a guided tour of the monuments at sunset.*

Outside of your classroom and internship, there will be many opportunities to grow personally and create your own D.C. Experience.

Enjoy an engaging community of peers in furnished housing in the heart of Washington, DC
Participate in social activities planned to help you make life-long friends
Explore the historical and cultural elements of the Nation’s Capital

“One of the greatest gifts I have received is the group of friends I made. I have become very close with four of the ladies and we have had an incredible time exploring Washington, DC. Some of our favorite things to do: cheer on the Nationals, go to brunch on the wharf, and check off our Smithsonian bucket list! We are already planning our reunion as well.”
Emily Ferguson, Emory University
Intern, SAP

Summer Housing

*District House Residence Hall on the Campus of George Washington University*.

All TFAS summer students live together in the District House residence hall, located at 2121 H St., NW, on George Washington University’s campus in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of D.C. Foggy Bottom was given its name due to its location on the foggy banks of the Potomac River. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, it is home to:

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Watergate Complex
State Department
World Bank
International Monetary Fund
Many restaurants and shops

Students will choose between two housing options within District House – the Affinity Units and Studio Doubles. Whichever option you choose – TFAS staff will hand-match you with roommates based on compatibility criteria you provide during the enrollment process.

“Living in the same dorms at George Washington University allows us to spend a lot of time together having dinners, hosting movie nights and exploring the city. On my floor, we are living with sixteen girls sharing a (spacious!) kitchen. I have made 15 new best friends this summer!”
Laurien Maarlevald, Tillburg University
Intern, Rio Tinto

Recently built in 2016, District House residence hall is located in the heart of campus next to Gelman Library, a Starbucks, Whole Foods, and various other eateries and shops.

District House provides:

Wireless internet and cable hook-up.
40,000 square feet of performing arts space, conference rooms, lounge and study areas in the lower levels of the building.
Food court dining options in the lower level of the building including Wiseguy NY Pizza, Beef ’n’ Bread, Chick-fil-A, GRK Fresh Greek, Sol Mexican Grill and Pete’s Coffee.

Transportation to internship sites and around the city is easy with the Foggy Bottom Metro rail stop on the Blue/Orange/Silver lines located just two blocks from the District House. There are also several metro bus stops located steps from the residence hall.

GW’s Lerner Health and Wellness Center, located just 2 blocks from District House, provides a 7-week pass for $175 or weekly memberships for $30. For more information about the Center, please visit GW’s website.

Affinity Unit living room. — *Shared living room in the Affinity Unit.*

The Affinity Units are built to accommodate 16 or 20 people in a group housing setting, but will only house 8 or 10 residents in summer 2023.

Within the unit, each student will live alone in a bedroom built for 2 people. There is an adjoined bathroom that is shared with another bedroom housing 1 student.

Each double room is equipped with two beds, two desks, a mini-fridge, and microwave.

The large communal kitchen is equipped with two of each full-size appliance and seating for all of the 16 to 20 residents of the unit.

*Shared communal kitchen within Affinity Unit.*

There is an additional shared study/meeting area with seating for each resident and a traditional living room with sofa seating and a cable-equipped TV.

A washer and 2 dryers are also located directly in the unit to be shared by all residents.

Each bedroom has a separate lock and residents only have access keys to their own room in addition to the main unit entrance.

Click here to see a 360 view of the Affinity Unit common space that is typically shared between 16 or 20 residents.

Bedroom in the Affinity Unit — *Bedroom within an Affinity Unit.*

View the layout for the 16-person Affinity Units. View the layout for the 20-person Affinity Units.

Affinity Units Overview

Style: Communal (16 or 20 residents total; 8 or 10 in 2023)
Living Room: Large sofas and TV, with additional study room with tables/chairs (shared with 16 to 20 residents; 8 or 10 in 2023)
Dining Room: Large tables and chairs (enough for all 16 to 20 residents; 8 or 10 in 2023)
Bedroom: 8 or 10 double rooms (single occupancy in 2023); mini-fridge and microwave included

Bathroom shared among 4 roommates in an Affinity Unit — *Bathroom shared among 4 roommates (2 in 2023) in an Affinity Unit*

Bathroom: Shared bathroom between two rooms (share your bathroom with 1 person in 2023); two sinks included; toilet and shower separated by door
Kitchen: Community kitchen for 16 to 20 (8 or 10 in 2023) with two of each appliance (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave), pantry and enough cupboards for each room to have their own
Laundry: 1 washer and 2 dryers (coin-operated); additional laundry facilities located in the lower level of District House
Distance from Metrorail Station: 2 blocks
Cost: Included in base tuition price

Private kitchen of the Studio Double shared with 1 roommate. — *Private kitchen of the Studio Double shared with 1 roommat*e (no roommate in 2023)

Residents share a spacious studio unit with one roommate. (Single occupancy in 2023)

Each studio-style apartment is comprised of a double bedroom with a private adjoining kitchen and bathroom.

Each room comes equipped with 2 beds, 2 desks, and 2 desk chairs. The kitchen includes a refrigerator, stove, oven and microwave.

Studio Single Housing Overview

Style: Studio apartment style
Year Built: 2016
Living/Dining Room: Two pull-down dining tables attached to the beds and 2 desk chairs are provided
Cable Hook-up: Available, residents to provide their own TVs

*Shared bedroom within the Studio Double.*

Bedroom: 1 double room (single occupancy in 2022)
Bathroom: Private bathroom for each apartment
Kitchen: Private kitchen in each apartment; includes full-size refrigerator, oven and microwave (private in 2022)
Distance from Metrorail Station: 1 block
Cost: Included in base tuition price

Community + Activities

Masked students walking near the Capitol — *Enjoy a built in social network.*

By participating in a TFAS program, you have a built-in social network and support system from the beginning.

You’ll meet students from all over the country and world. Some may be from different backgrounds or life experiences, but you’ll find that you all have something in common – you are passionate about important policy issues and are excited to experience all that D.C. has to offer.

Our staff members are committed to your professional and personal success. Full-time staff meet with students regularly to check in on how their internships are going, help connect them to professionals for informational interviews, and to give on advice on how to balance class and internship hours. We also have former program participants living with students in the residence hall to serve the role of resident advisor. They have weekly office hours and are available to help you adjust to your new environment and provide support throughout the summer.

“Through this program, I have been able to do a number of really awesome things that not many people get to do. I have been to so many museums – Renwick Gallery, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Holocaust Memorial Museum being among my favorites. I have attended briefings on Capitol Hill and at the White House. I have made so many amazing friends and meaningful connections that will last a lifetime.”
Hailey Carter, Virginia Commonwealth University
Intern, kglobal Public Relations

Students may participate in several historical and cultural activities throughout the summer.

Guided Tour of the Monuments

Explore the monuments with other TFAS students on the National Mall during your first week in Washington! The trip includes a round-trip tour in an air-conditioned charter bus with a professional guide. Tentative stops include the Lincoln Memorial, Korean and Vietnam War Memorials, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial.

President Lincoln’s Cottage Visit + Tour

Visit this historic site and museum located on a 250-acre campus in Northwest Washington, D.C. Here Abraham Lincoln made some of his most nation-changing decisions and developed the Emancipation Proclamation. The ticket includes a guided tour of the Cottage, the Visitor Education Center, and a visit to the First National Cemetery. The Cemetery is a predecessor of Arlington Cemetery that was used while Lincoln was in residence.

Student at exhibition in Lincoln's Cottage

Mount Vernon Visit

Enjoy a visit to the first president’s plantation home on the scenic banks of the Potomac River with your fellow TFAS participants. Explore the grounds, museum and walk through the first floor of George Washington’s colonial mansion, where interiors have been restored to their appearance in 1799. The visit includes admission to Mount Vernon, a timed-entrance viewing of the first floor of the mansion, and a round-trip ride in an air-conditioned tour bus.

Students in front of mansion at Mount Vernon

Arlington National Cemetery Tram Tour

Enjoy a private open-air tram tour through Arlington Cemetery’s scenic grounds. Stops will be made at two of the main historical sites in the Arlington Cemetery: The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and President John F. Kennedy’s Gravesite. Here you can witness the changing of the guard and explore the graves of major historical figures including supreme court justices. Spread across 639 acres of rolling hills and beautiful gardens, this historic landmark is about 4 times the size of the National Mall.

Arlington National Cemetery is located on a parcel of land that once belonged to George Washington’s step-grandson, George Washington Parke Custis.

Sculpture Garden Tours on the National Mall

Art isn’t just painted canvas hung on a gallery wall. Washington’s sculpture gardens allow viewers to experience art and nature like never before. In this private guided tour of two outdoor sculpture gardens on the National Mall, you’ll uncover stories about modern art from two of the most famous collections in the world.

Designed by renowned landscape architect Laurie Olin, The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden features several works of modern sculpture centered around a large fountain. Take a selfie by the entrance to a Parisian subway or play with perspective at a house that uses optical illusion to spin in place. Featured artists include Louise Bourgeois, Sol LeWitt and Alexander Calder.

Additionally, explore more than 30 works of sculpture just across the grassy knolls of the National Mall at The Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden. Witness a 9-ton volcanic boulder (with a face) crushing an old car or whisper your wishes to the branches of the Wishtree. Featured artists include Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama and Auguste Rodin.

D.C. Neighborhood Walking Tours

TFAS staff lead these fun and informative tours that will give you an insider’s look at a few Washington, D.C. neighborhoods.

Capitol Hill Neighborhood: Explore the Capitol Hill neighborhood, the largest historic neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Get a close-up look at the government buildings just steps from your door and explore neighborhood staples like Eastern Market and Barracks Row.
Georgetown Neighborhood: Take a walk through the oldest neighborhood in Washington, D.C. Discover charming cobblestone streets lined with historic mansions occupied by some Washington’s movers and shakers as well as historic properties open to the public. Explore the main promenade, M Street which is lined with shopping destinations and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Penn Quarter/Chinatown Neighborhood: Discover where government, commerce and entertainment meet in downtown Washington, D.C. Stroll spacious avenues and marvel at some of the tallest buildings in the city. Each block is packed with historical and cultural attractions, in fact you’ll experience more sights in two hours than you will in any other neighborhood.
Embassy Row: This tour will feature a fascinating up-front look at DC’s famed Embassy Row. Beginning at DuPont Circle and walking north up Massachusetts Avenue, the tour will highlight interesting aspects of various embassie and tie in history, diplomacy, architecture, world leaders and more. Embassy row brings to life the fact that Washington, D.C. is truly an international city where almost every country in the world is represented.

*Students volunteering at DC Central Kitchen.*

DC’s concentration of leading nonprofit organizations makes it the perfect place to get involved and make a difference in an urban area. On Service Saturday, students team up to help serve the needs of the inner-city community and discuss how these challenges affect policy decisions.

Students visit a number of service sites, including those listed below. Issue areas addressed include hunger, the environment, senior services, poverty, education and many more.

Jubilee Jobs
Trust for the National Mall
Washington Parks & People
Food and Friends
IONA Senior Services
Martha’s Table
Living Classrooms

Explore Your Backyard

Students taking a selfie in front of the Capitol Building.

Yes, you’ll be busy with classes, internships and TFAS-planned events, but there will be plenty of time to explore the social, cultural and historical aspects of this vibrant capital city on your own. By the end of the summer, you’ll really feel like a D.C. insider.

These are just some of the exciting places and events that our students enjoy each summer.

For the latest scoop on all things DC, check out #TFAS Updates for excursion ideas, restaurant recommendations and more!

Smithsonians

The network has 17 museums, galleries and a zoo in the Washington Metropolitan area. Below are the museums located just a short walk away on the National Mall.

Other Museums

Capital Semester Housing Overview

All Capital Semester students are housed together in a residential building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC that has been converted into apartments.

Roommate matches are handmade by TFAS staff using compatibility criteria you provide during the enrollment process.

Living room of Capital Semester housing.

The apartments are fully furnished, including a complete kitchen. They are internet-ready and air-conditioned, and have easily accessible laundry facilities. Each apartment has a fully furnished kitchen with plates, silverware, and glassware.

Also included are twin-sized beds, a table and chairs, couch, a full bathroom and closets. The living/dining area is equipped with a TV with basic cable. While each apartment layout is different, the amenities included are the same.

The apartment building is located on the House of Representatives side of Capitol Hill and is part of the largest residential neighborhood in Washington. It is one of the oldest residential communities in DC with numerous shops, restaurants, Congressional buildings and many of the city’s most significant cultural attractions close by, including the Supreme Court and Library of Congress.

The building is located just a short walk from the Capitol South and Eastern Market Metro Stations (Orange/Blue/Silver lines), providing easy access to internships sites and other locations across the city.

Community + Activities

By participating in a TFAS program, you have a built in social network and support system from the beginning.

*Students enjoying a visit to Mount Vernon, the home of President Washington.*

Our staff members are committed to your professional and personal success. Staff meet with students regularly to check in on how their internships are going, help connect them to professionals for informational interviews, and to give on advice on how to balance class and internship hours. Staff members are always available to help you adjust to your new environment and provide support throughout the semester.

“I thoroughly enjoyed meeting people who are passionate about their communities all over America and the world. Having the opportunity to grow and learn with these leaders helped me solidify my beliefs and expanded my perspective.”
Liliana Vitale, University of North Carolina at Greenboro
Intern, American Council of Trustees and Alumni

Explore Your Backyard

*Students at Moticello, the home of President Thomas Jefferson.*

These are just some of the exciting places and events that our students enjoy each year.

For the latest scoop on all things D.C., check out #TFAS Updates for excursion ideas, restaurant recommendations and more!

Smithsonian – The network has 17 museums, galleries and a zoo in the Washington Metropolitan area. Below are the museums located on the National Mall.

Other Museums