Getting Ready for DC

“You are registered to visit a U.S. Department of State facility.” When I received an email containing this sentence just a week ago, I knew exactly what it meant: the William & Mary DC winter seminar was about to begin. One of the most exciting parts of the DC program is the opportunity to go on various site visits. In the coming weeks, my International Relations seminar will have the chance to visit Department of State facilities and meet with different DC professionals in order to apply our classroom education to the real world. I am so excited to live and learn in this city for ten days. There is a lot to look forward to; in addition to the class, the site visits and the speakers, students will be living in great locations around the city and will have multiple group activities in which to participate. I will be ice skating, going to a Wizards game and having a tour of the monuments during my time in Washington.

A city girl at heart, I am most excited to experience daily life in DC. I love that William & Mary provides this opportunity to change up our surroundings and move from colonial-era Williamsburg to the modern DC metropolis for several days. The university also offers more extended programs in the city, including semester and summer options. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

Over the ten days of the DC Winter Seminar in International Relations, I will be providing you all with a glimpse into student life in Washington. I am looking forward to an exciting program, and I cannot wait to get started!

-Katie Koontz ’19