Washington 101 Reading

As part of your NYU Washington, DC, orientation, you will be required to read Washington 101: An Introduction to the Nation’s Capitol.   Each of the book’s ten chapters explores key features of Washington from both past and present perspectives that make it unique as a symbolic city, a political city, and as a living city. Topics covered in the book include Washington’s urban design and architecture, its memorials and museums, local and national politics, the regional economy, and the neighborhoods and people of the city and surrounding suburbs. This book draws upon a variety of intellectual approaches and a wealth of academic research to explain Washington in a manner that is clear, accessible, and engaging.

You can download the whole book or individual chapters for free. Click on Table of Contents and then the relevant chapter to open and download.

Please review the reading schedule for orientation week:

By Monday 8/22, read the following:

Introduction

Part I: Washington as Symbolic City

Introduction to Part I

Chapter 1: Rome on the Potomac

Chapter 2: Memorialization, the Mall and National Imagination

Chapter 3: A City of Magnificent Museums

By Wednesday 8/24, read the following:

Part II: Washington as Political City

Introduction to Part II

Chapter 4: Institutions, Power and Political Community in Washington

Chapter 5: A Center of American Protest

Chapter 6: Political Host to the World

Chapter 7: Home Rule, Race, and Revenue: The Local Politics of Washington

By Friday 8/26, read the following:

Part III: Washington as a Living City

Introduction to Part III

Chapter 8: Chocolate City, Vanilla Swirl or Something Else? Race and Ethnicity in City and Region

Chapter 9: The Economic Life and Development of a Capital City

Chapter 10: Neighborhoods and Suburban Communities of Washington

GeoBlue Health Insurance Emails Received

By now you should have received an email from GeoBlue with your certificate number and instructions about creating your GeoBlue profile. This was sent to your NYU email address only. Please register and bring your health insurance card with you.  

As a reminder, all students are still expected to maintain valid domestic health insurance over the course of the semester. GeoBlue is valid only for the dates of your study away program.

Please notify me if you did not receive an email from GeoBlue to ensure it is resent.

Rest assured that you will absolutely be covered.  Be sure to check your spam folder first, as they sometimes end up there.

What to do if you Encounter Flight Cancellations or Delays

While our hope is that you arrive at your study away destination without any challenges, we know at times these can occur for a variety of reasons.  Please note that NYU is unable to act as an intermediary between the traveler and airline, but it may be helpful to keep in mind the below tips should you encounter any flight cancellations or delays:

Contact Your Airline First

Number one tip: Whether it’s an airport delay or flight cancellation, contact your airline – immediately.  It is most beneficial to act quickly so that you are able to grab a seat on the next available flight if necessary.  Many passengers will be trying to rebook and options may become more limited the longer you wait.

If Your Flight is Canceled:

• Multi-task communications: If your flight is canceled or delayed, immediately get in line for a gate agent; at the same time, call the airline (it may be quicker).
• If you have a frequent flyer status with the airline that gives you access to a priority phone number, using this may expedite the service you receive.

Note: There are no federal requirements that require airlines to provide you with any hotel or meal vouchers due to events outside their control such as weather, but airline policies on this vary. When in doubt, ask. Some will provide you with certain amenities.

If Your Flight is Delayed:

• Stay in touch with the airline: Follow the tips above; stay connected to your carrier
• Don’t be late to the gate: Even if you’ve been told your flight is delayed, stay in the gate area. Delays can evaporate and windows of opportunity for take-off can be short; if you’re not present for boarding, you may be out of luck

Note: Always be at the gate at least 20 minutes before departure, minimum.

Ultimately, if you are in an area where you still have access to email or phone service, please contact the appropriate staff member(s) at NYU Washington, DC, listed on your arrival cheat sheet to forward your updated itinerary.  This is another reason why it is important to have a copy in your carry on.  

Should your updated itinerary arrive outside of the provided transportation window, you will be responsible for getting to housing (but don’t worry – the arrival cheat sheet will have all the relevant details necessary to do so!).  

The staff recognize these occurrences are beyond your control so will work with you to catch up if any material is missed.  On behalf of the entire NYU Global Programs team, we wish you safe travels!

NYU Washington, DC, Online Global Health & Wellness Orientation

By now you should have received an email from site staff at NYU Washington, DC, with instructions to complete an Online Global Health & Wellness Orientation.

This mandatory online exercise provides useful information about health and safety resources in Washington, DC. It encourages you to practice self-care, to support your fellow students and the NYUDC community, and to remain curious about all the things that are different and exciting in the nation’s capitol.

It should take you about 45-60 minutes and must be completed by tomorrow, August 19th. Please access the orientation by clicking the link in the email you received.

If you have questions about the content please email Brian Dooley, the NYU Washington, DC, Program Manager for Student Life.

Global Safety Tips

Keeping you safe — and ensuring your ability to make academic progress — are top priorities for NYU. As you prepare to spend the semester away from your home campus, we wanted to share with you some tips and best practices that will help to do so.

The University continuously monitors events in cities and countries around the globe, and adjusts security precautions, as necessary, based on the local environment. Should an urgent situation arise, the University maintains an emergency notification system, which delivers alerts via text message and email.

• Register your travel with your respective embassy or consulate – both while you are at your study away location, and anywhere else your travel plans may take you.
• Make sure to have a mobile phone with you whenever you’re away from the site – and be sure to keep it charged!
• If you are planning on traveling away from your site – even if only for a night — please be sure to register your trip in NYU Traveler, and let a member of your local site staff know.
• Please be sure that your site staff has a local contact phone number for you.
• Do your homework before you travel away from your site. Check for potential travel warnings for cities and countries to which you are thinking about traveling. The US State Department website is a good place to start.
• Always be fully aware of your surroundings. Avoid at-risk areas (in many cities, this could include locations that are very popular with tourists). And if during your travels you ever find yourself in a situation in which you feel uncomfortable, trust your instincts and leave.
• Whenever possible, travel in groups. Whether you’re going out for an evening, or are planning to explore the region (or beyond), go with friends!
• If you don’t know the person entering a building right after you, make sure they have their own ID — don’t allow “piggy-backing” at entrances to NYU academic centers and residence halls.
• If you ever have a question or concern about your safety – either at your site, or while you are traveling – either check with your local site staff, or call the NYU Public Safety Command Center (open 24/7) at +1.212.998.2222.
• Should you ever feel anxious or upset during your time away, or you simply want to have someone to speak to, please call the Wellness Exchange (24/7). You can always reach them at +1.212.443.9999, but many sites also have local numbers, which can be found here.

For more safety tips, visit: http://www.nyu.edu/global/global-academic-centers/washington-dc/student-life/safety.html

We’re Moving!

The Office of Global Programs will be moving from 25 W. 4th Street to 383 Lafayette Street, 4th Floor, on Tuesday, August 16th!

Our office hours will remain the same (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm EDT), but please note that we will temporarily be closed from 5pm on Monday, August 15th until 12pm Wednesday, August 17th to facilitate this move.

After our move, we can continue to be reached by phone at 212-998-4433 or global.admissions@nyu.edu.

Arrival Cheat Sheet

Hot off the press in your inbox are personalized welcome emails from NYU Washington, DC!

This email details what you should be doing in the next couple of weeks before your arrival, how to connect with the NYU DC community, and a slew of other important documents you’ll need to prepare, pack, and successfully arrival on site. Be sure to check it out.

Review Health & Wellness Information

You’ll find important information on the Health & Wellness page of our website about NYU-provided GeoBlue Health Insurance abroad, counseling services, medical services and more. Please take some time to look it over.

Understanding the Cost of Living in DC

There are several things that you can do to prepare your finances before you arrive in Washington, DC.

Figure out: what is the cost of living in Washington, DC?  What can I do now to make sure I save money? This site, Numbeo, can help you compare the cost of living in your home city and your study away location!

Practical Pre-Departure Checklist & Packing Tips

As you prepare to get on a plane, it is now time to review the below final checklist full of practical items and packing tips to ensure your travel goes smoothly.  Also, take note of what NOT to pack by visiting this website.

• Notify your bank and credit cards that you will be in Washington, DC.  Make sure they won’t block your accounts when they see charges from a new city, and ask for phone numbers to call in the event you have any issues. 
• Have all medications you may need for the full term & bring a copy of prescriptions (medication, eyeglasses, etc.) and carry it with you in your carry on.  Your carry on should also have all important paperwork, phone numbers, and a change of clothes in case your luggage arrives late.
• Make photocopies of your passport/visa, ID, and cards (bank, credit card). Leave one copy of this packet with your parents and bring a set with you in your carry-on.  That way, if these items are lost or stolen, they’re much easier to replace.
• Bring your flight confirmation printout to the airport.
• Check the luggage restrictions for your airline before you pack.
• Have some cash on hand to get you through the first few days.
• Have a copy of your arrival cheat sheet – and leave one with your family!
• Set up a plan of communicating with your family members while studying away —we recommend calling or e-mailing them only once or twice a week. Your parents will ALWAYS want to talk to you more often than that, but remember that part of studying in another city is putting some distance between you and your old life. You’ll be better for it!
• Buy a journal.  Study Away is a profoundly personal experience and Facebook updates alone won’t capture the spirit of what you are doing.  Keep a journal that is meant to be just for you.  
• Bring a small weekend-size bag/backpack/collapsible duffle bag for trips you’ll take. 
• Don’t forget that you cannot bring more than 3 oz. of any liquid in your carry on for your flight overseas.  Airport security can be very stringent. Make sure you follow all the rules when it comes to flying!
• If you follow a special diet (vegetarian, kosher, etc.) don’t forget to inform your airline ahead of time. It’s horribly unpleasant to be hungry and thirsty while you’re on a plane and they control when you get meals, so bring some snacks (stay away from fruit, as some countries don’t want you to bring perishable food into their airports). And make sure you have your own water on the flight (though, remember, you can’t take any through security).
• Last but definitely not least, try to pack LIGHT.  Layers, layers, layers!  You will inevitably come home with more than you started with.