Before you start your semester with The Washington Center, make sure to complete the following steps.
Step 1: Academics
- Meet with your faculty advisor to discuss your academic plan and confirm that this program will work for you!
- Fill out the Participation Approval Form (after meeting with your advisor).
- Enroll in the Internship Course (CAS 2991) (9 credits)*
- Enroll in Academic Course 1 (CAS 1900) (3 credits)*
- Enroll in Academic Course 2 (CAS 2900) (3 credits)*
- Get in contact with SAS (Student Accessibility Services) to make sure any accommodation documentation is forwarded to TWC as soon as possible.
- If you are an international student, please get in touch with OIE (Office of International Education) to obtain the proper visa permissions.
* Kelly Smith will send you an override for these courses.
Step 2: Internship
- Once you recieve your internship placement through TWC, fill out the Internship Information Form.
If you have any trouble or questions about the form, please contact Kelly Smith
Step 3: Housing
If you are signed up for a UVM dorm room during the semester you will be away, email reslife@uvm.edu stating your intention to withdraw from student housing due to participation in a CAS-sponsored program, The Washington Center. Please remember to CC Kelly Smith (ksmith52@uvm.edu) so that she can provide official documentation to ResLife! After this, you will recieve confirmation via email from ResLife that your contract will be cancelled.
You will recieve a bill directly from The Washington Center with instructions on how to pay the housing fee. Any questions should be sent to info@twc.edu.
Step 4: Health
- The Washington Center has lifted it's COVID-19 vaccination requirement as of March 2023. If you have any questions, please get in touch with them at info@twc.edu or talk to your admissions counselor or internship placement partner. Learn more about the program's policy here. Once you arrive in the nation’s capital, you may be working with your internship site remotely, in-person, or on a hybrid schedule (remotely on some days and in the office on other days). This will depend on your internship’s working status, so it's important to discuss work hour and location expectations with prospective internship sites as you progress through the internship selection process.
- Make any arrangements for counseling services and/or prescription medications while in D.C. If you currently work with UVM CAPS, you will need to locate a counselor in D.C. to work with while you are there. UVM's CAPS staff are only licensed to practice in the state of Vermont and can't work virtually with clients located in other states. Please get in touch with your CAPS team to see if they have any recommendations in the D.C. area and, if you feel comfortable, reach out to TWC to see if they have any recommendations or resources for you.
- Make sure that your UVM health forms and immunizations are up-to-date and your emergency contacts are correct in MyUVM. More detail about UVM's Vaccine & booster policy
- If you are enrolling in UVM SHIP (Student Health Insurance Plan), you MUST contact the student health insurance office to coordinate a PCP while in D.C.
Step 5: Connect!
UVM Alumni based in Washington D.C. are interested in connecting with you! Have you heard of UVM Connect? This system bridges the network between students, alumni, and faculty of UVM. Join UVM Connect before you depart for D.C., and build your network by reaching out and saying hello, or joining in on events that are happening in the area as you see them pop up on the forum!
Additional Information:
Travel:
Make your Flight Arrangements
Prior to purchasing your flight, make sure you have read arrival information from The Washington Center. You want to be sure to arrive during their suggested times, as it may impact your housing/transportation. UVM doesn’t recommend any specific travel websites, however www.statravel.com offers student discounted tickets. It is a good idea to start looking for airfares early, so that you can learn what its typical cost range is. This will allow you to recognize a good price when you see one, so that you can purchase it.
Make sure you are leaving enough time for any layovers. Planning to arrive at your final destination early in the day will leave room for flight delays and finding your way in the daylight. Do your research ahead of time about where you will need to go once you've arrived in D.C., and the best ways to get there.
Be sure to review TSA Guidelines and your specific airlines baggage requirements for all connecting flights.
Purchase your SmarTrip Card
Your SmarTrip card will allow you access to the Washington, D.C. metro and bus systems. It is a good idea to purchase a pre-loaded card before you depart to make your arrival as streamlined as possible. However, cards can be purchased and/or refilled at any metro station using the big machines by the entrance. The closest station to The Washington Center residential facility is NoMa-Gallaudet U New York Ave on the Red Line.
Money & Voting:
Notify your financial institutions:
It is crucial to notify all of your banks and credit card companies prior to traveling for an extended period to avoid your card being frozen or disabled due to suspected fraud. It is also advised that you ask for the best practice if your card is lost/stolen, and their policy for getting a new card sent to you at a temporary address.
Prepare to vote while away:
If you are a US citizen, voting in US elections is your right and civic duty. You can still vote in all local, state, and national elections using an absentee ballot while in D.C. Make sure to follow the process for getting an absentee ballot mailed to you, and pay attention to the date you are required to return it via mail.
The voter registration and absentee ballot request processes are different depending on your state of residency. Typically UVM students who are US Citizens are allowed to register to vote in either Vermont or their home state. Please see here for additional information and resources for voting via absentee ballot.
Health:
Make a plan with your doctor:
Keep in mind that moving to a new city and experiencing a transition to a new environment, new culture, new food, etc. can exacerbate or uncover physical and mental illness. It is important to work with your health professionals to make a plan for dealing with your health.
- Before you depart, make sure you visit your doctors, dentists, and any other health care practitioners that you regularly see. During these visits, you should discuss any medical issues you have that may affect your experiences abroad.
- Make sure your health records are up to date and that you have copies of them that you can access if needed. This is particularly important if you have a medical condition or if you expect to need medical care in D.C.
If you currently work with UVM CAPS, you will need to locate a counselor in D.C. to work with while you are there. UVM's CAPS staff are only licensed to practice in the state of Vermont and can't work virtually with clients located in other states. Please get in touch with your CAPS team to see if they have any recommendations in the D.C. area and, if you feel comfortable, reach out to TWC to see if they have any recommendations or resources for you.
Prescription Drugs:
If you are taking any prescription drugs with you, please visit your health care provider prior to departing to discuss transporting your medications.
- Ask your health care provider and insurance company for guidance on how to secure a sufficient supply of medication to last through your stay. Or, find out if you can transfer your prescription refills to a location in D.C. for pickup.
- For safety reasons, it is best to carry your medication in their original, clearly labeled containers along with a copy of the original prescription while travelling.
- Always keep your medications in your carry-on bag.
- If you have a medical condition, consider wearing a medical alert bracelet or other notification.
- Bring photocopies of your prescriptions- even a glasses/contact lens prescription.
If you have UVM student health insurance (UVM SHIP)...
If you are planning on enrolling in UVM SHIP (student health insurance) during the semester you are away, you MUST contact the student health insurance office to coordinate a new PCP (Primary Care Provider). Visit the UVM SHIP website for more information. Contact studentInsurance@uvm.edu with any questions.
