UCDC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
UCDC (an acronym which stands for "University of California-District of Columbia") is an internship program sponsored by the University of California which places undergraduates in quarter/semester or summer internships in Washington, D.C. Residents are housed in the UC Washington Center, the Washington, D.C. campus of the University of California. The Center also houses the offices of the University of California Office of Federal Governmental Relations.
The University of California, Irvine created the UCDC program in 1982 with four undergraduates. The program soon gained popularity through the University of California system, and offers two distinct programs. The most popular and competitive program is the UCDC Summer Internship Program, which places students in full-time internship positions from June to September. Alternatively, the UCDC Academic Year Program hosts students for one quarter/semester between September to June, depending upon which UC campus the undergraduate comes from. This program hosts about 20 or fewer students from each campus, each quarter/semester and pairs full-time internships with a courseload of required lectures and electives.
In addition to offering accommodations and courses, UCDC allows for regular guest lectures and a number of social activities. Some of these social activities include visits to various federal institutions, day trips to regional attractions, and in-house activities sponsored by the student-run Resident Advisory Council. Additionally, students may freely tour Washington, D.C., and travel across the Eastern Seaboard during the weekends is a popular option. Touring Washington, D.C. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is suggested, considering that most House and Senate members are out of town in their respective districts. Therefore most of their staff and lobbyists are home or busy in their offices, leaving the tourist to roam any time of the day without too much difficulty.
[edit] Facilities
UCDC is housed in the UC Washington Center, a modern 11-story complex located near Dupont Circle. Not far from the Washington Metro stations and five blocks directly north of the White House, it is centrally located and convenient for students. The Center offers fully-furnished suite accommodations for undergraduates, graduate students, staff, and faculty. The suite arrangement consists of two bedrooms for two residents each, and common areas (bathroom, kitchen, and living room). The Center also hosts a fitness center, mail room, computer lab, study rooms, lecture halls, recreational room, expansive patio, and a large lobby.
The Center also hosts the office of the UC Office of Federal Governmental Relations, which represents the University of California at the federal level. The UC Washington Center is also involved in an educational and mentoring partnership with the nearby Ross Elementary School.
