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WHAT PAST EAP RECIPROCITY STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE UC WASHINGTON CENTER ACADEMIC PROGRAM

The Most Rewarding Aspects of the Program
“I loved my internship and got a lot out of it. Plus we had so many fantastic opportunities through the Center, like going to hear President Bush speak, for example. I think the most rewarding thing for me, though, has been the friends I've made through this programme. I really did meet so many fantastic people in D.C. - through the Centre, through work and just through going out a lot. I think living in a big city and being able to take advantage of all that it offers was also really rewarding.”

“Internship and getting to know the world capital with its astonishing network.”

“[It] let me really into America life (since you have to live with Americans all the time) and get a deeper and thorough understanding about American politics and society by living in US capital.  And in DC there are always wonderful activities taking place such as free concerts, seminars and speeches, which is the part that I enjoyed most.”

“Experiencing living in the US capitol, actually working not just academics.”

“Getting a feel for the working world and meeting a lot of interesting people.”

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 UC Washington Center Courses

“[My] classes were quite small so I got to know everyone and it also made it much easier to have good discussions. For one of my classes we went on a couple of class trips (to museums and art galleries), which I don't think we would have been able to do with a larger class. The only thing I didn't like was the fact that you had to come home from an 8-hour workday and then go straight to school for another 3 hours at night, but I suppose it was better than having class on the weekends or something like that. “

“[At UC], the courses that I participate in are all very large and seldom do I have chance to talk with professors nor classmates.  Yet in DC classes I have taken are all small seminar with a lot of interactions and discussions going on.  I really enjoy the dynamics we had. Besides, one of my class about affirmative action, because of the topic and the wonderful professor Crosby, I got a chance to further understand US politics and society.  Another class is good too, which enables me to understand modern culture as well as "witness" those masterpieces in National Gallery.”  
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The UC Washington Center Facility and living accommodations
“It was terrific! All the facilities are new and convenient.”

“The building is located in the heart of Washington, just ten minutes to the White House and five minutes to the next Metro station. We had everything in our building. Washing machines, even an ATM machine... What I liked most was the security of the building. I felt very safe and didn't have to worry. “

“Only bad part is not being able to open windows. The facility is awesome though.”
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Center Sponsored Activities

“I think I probably enjoyed the trips that the Center organized the most. We went to places like Mount Vernon (where George Washington used to live), Gettysburg, Arlington Cemetery and Old Town Alexandria. Going to a Washington Wizards basketball game and seeing Michael Jordan play was also really great. We also had Director's Forums each week where guest speakers would come and talk to us about their careers or personal lives, which were always interesting. They even organized a potluck dinner for all the exchange students, which I unfortunately was out of town for, but I heard it was a lot of fun. There really wasn't anything that I really didn't enjoy.” 

“I love the musical and basketball game (Jordan is really great!) I feel excited to see President Bush in person too.  They are all wonderful. Although trip to Arlington and Gettysburg is kind of "too informative" they enabled me to understand American history more, which is what I have always wanted to learn.”

“Director's Forum. Every Monday, the director, Dr. Larry Berman, invited special friends and we talked about a chosen topic. The topics in the winter quarter dealt more or less with the event on Sept. 11; therefore, it was really interesting to hear the American point of view.”
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Program Cost Estimates
“It's basically the accurate.  Actually because I saved a lot in food and transportation (I often walked), I found it not as expensive as I originally expected.”

“I had expected D.C. to be expensive and it really was. The thing that I found especially difficult was not being able to work - our internships were unpaid and because our visas only allow us to work "on campus", that wasn't really possible. Not that I probably would have had time for a job, given how busy we all were just with our internships and classes, but not having a pay cheque coming in did make it difficult. The cost estimates were about right, though, and it's up to you how much you want to spend in terms of going away for weekends or eating out, that sort of thing.”

[…] it depends totally on one's living style. I cooked every day and paid less for food than others who ate in restaurants or cafeterias. It totally depends. But: Washington is expensive.”
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Tips for Future EAP Students on the UC Washington Academic Program
“Just have a really good time and make sure you do everything you want to before you leave. The quarter in D.C. flies by so quickly - don't leave everything right till the end!” 

“Try anything you can to understand American life; Plan your free time to visit those wonderful attractions.”

“Don't go out alone at nights and be careful where you are going and everything will be alright then.”

“If you are going winter quarter, it is cold!!!! Bring warm clothes or buy warm clothes over there. Get to know people from other campuses, get to know people from [your campus], so you can hang out with them when you come back to [UC].”

"Enjoy!"

“Save as much money as you can to travel on weekends!”
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Recommended Non-academic Activity in Washington D.C or the Surrounding Area 

“[…] There’s so much to see and do in and around D.C. I really liked our trip to Mount Vernon, but I also liked everything located on the Mall (the Smithsonian, The National Gallery, the Hirschorn, etc.). There are also some really fantastic galleries in Dupont Circle and even just walking round all the monuments is fun. Georgetown was definitely one of my favorite areas - so many great shops and restaurants and bars.”

“I love Boston (does that count?).  It is a wonderful place to visit: with terrific fancy restaurants, historical attractions, famous schools, a fascinating and cultural area.”

“Washington Memorial area, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, Capitol and all kind of museums.  I loved to go to various meetings offered by other institutions.” 

“Georgetown. Kennedy Center has free concerts. Trip to New York is cheap and fun.”

“GO TO NEW YORK!”
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Would you recommend the UC Washington Program to other Reciprocity students?
“Most definitely!” 

“Of course. I spent the best time in Washington in my whole life.”

“Yes, definitely.”

Yes, it gives us a chance to live on the west coast and the east coast, which are like two different countries.”

“ YES"
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