Living in Washington DC
Washington DC provides an exciting backdrop for the study of international relations. The school's reputation and accomplished alumni network affords you access to networking events, lectures, and panel discussions at multilateral organizations, global corporations, federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and think tanks across the city.
Campus
The school’s main campus is in the heart of Washington, D.C.—at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW—minutes from the United States Capitol, the White House, Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, Department of Energy, and the National Mall. This state-of-the-art building boasts 420,000 square feet of space and is also conveniently located within walking distance to three Metro stations, as well as the Amtrak and MARC train services at Union Station.
Designed to foster community and collaboration, 555 Pennsylvania Avenue includes 38 high-tech classrooms, a 375-seat theatre, numerous areas of group and individual study space, lounges, and several roof terraces with stunning views of Pennsylvania Avenue and the Capitol grounds.
Explore
You are encouraged to immerse yourself in the vibrancy of the capital city to attend cultural events, embassy receptions, and alumni gatherings, as well as to engage with students at neighboring international relations schools.
- Visit our world-class museums and zoo, for free
- Stay up-to-date on trendy happenings in Washington DC
- Share a meal with your new classmates and friends
- Gain insider tips for your next visit to Washington DC
Housing
From the heart of Embassy Row to the halls of Capitol Hill, Washington DC is an exciting city to live in when pursuing graduate studies in international affairs. The city provides exceptional opportunities to participate in a vibrant and active life. The Office of Student Life curates a website for Off-Campus Housing to help students learn about housing options in the area.
Getting Around
With easy-to-use public transportation, options for ride sharing, and close proximity to three international airports, it is very easy to get around the city.
- Walk. The easiest way to get around Washington DC is often on foot. The city's interesting architecture, iconic memorials, and scenic streets make walking an enjoyable journey.
- Bike. Bicycling is a convenient, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly way to get around Washington DC. There are a number of bike-sharing programs available in the city offering a variety of hourly, daily and annual membership plans.
- Metro. Through the U-Pass program offered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, full-time students receive unlimited riding privileges on Metrobus and Metrorail at a substantially discounted price. At approximately $1 per day, Metro's U-Pass offers an affordable transportation option for students to travel throughout the region for classes, internships, jobs and other activities.
- Car. It is quite easy to get around Washington DC without a car and many students opt not to have a car during their studies. In addition to an abundance of taxis in Washington DC, there are also mobile app-based alternatives to taxis such as Uber or Lyft.
- Air. Washington DC is in close proximity to three major airports. The closest airport to campus is Reagan National Airport (DCA) which is located approximately four miles from campus. Virginia-based Dulles International Airport (IAD) is nearly 30 miles from campus and Maryland-based Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) is less than 40 miles from campus.
One-Stop-Shop
The Washington DC campus, staffed by full-time student affairs professionals, employs a "one-stop-shop" model to ensure that navigating the school's resources is seamless. The team is prepared to address questions ranging from financial aid and health insurance to how to get involved with student life on campus. The team also works closely with the Office of International Students to ensure non-US students obtain student visas prior to the start of their studies.