One of the greatest advantages of becoming a PPIP intern is the chance to live in our nation’s capital ‑ an amazing city rich with history and culture! Plus it is conveniently located close to other major cities on the East Coast, like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New York City. More specific information about life in and around Washington, D.C., is listed below. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the PPIP staff, all of whom have lived and worked in D.C. as interns.
Living Accommodations
As a PPIP intern in D.C., your housing is completely taken care of, and you will be living with other Aggies! Click here to learn more.
Traveling To and From D.C.
You can either fly or drive to and from Washington, D.C.
Flying is the easiest and quickest way to get to Washington, D.C. There are three major airports located in the Washington area, each with its benefits and limitations.
1. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (also called National or DCA)
DCA is located just outside of Washington, D.C., and is a quick (10-15 minute) and inexpensive Metro or taxi cab ride away from the intern apartments. While it can be the most expensive ticket choice, it is by far the most convenient airport to fly into, especially if you are not familiar with the D.C. area.
2. Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
Flights in and out of BWI are likely the cheapest, but getting from Baltimore to D.C. is not as convenient. The airport is located approximately 30-45 minutes from D.C. in Maryland, so you will have to rent a car, take a taxi cab, take a bus to the Metro, or use the MARC train. BWI has been a popular choice for former interns looking for a cheap flight, but additional travel arrangements and costs should be taken into consideration. For example, the MARC train runs only during normal business hours on week days and a 45 minute taxi cab ride can become quite pricey.
3. Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Dulles is usually in the middle on ticket prices, but can prove difficult for getting to and from the intern apartments. It is approximately 45 minutes from the intern apartments, but there are fewer transportation options. You will either have to rent a car, take a taxi cab, or check into airport shuttles. When deciding whether to use Dulles, you have to identify whether the cost associated with getting from the airport to your destination is worth the difference in price.
Driving from College Station to Washington, D.C., takes approximately 28 hours. Owning a car in D.C. is convenient, but several arrangements should be made before arriving.* The TAMU intern apartments have parking spaces that are available to participating students on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you plan on taking your car, you must register your car with Arlington County (Virginia) and pay property taxes during your internship. If you are parking in the intern apartment garage, you will need to register your car upon arrival with the front desk (some fees apply for registration). If you drive a larger vehicle, please check with the PPIP staff for height restrictions in the parking garage before leaving for D.C.
*YOU DO NOT NEED A CAR! Although a car is nice to have for grocery shopping, taking road trips, and more, it is not necessary. You will not have a parking space at work, so your car will be for nights and weekends only. D.C. has an outstanding public transportation system close to the intern apartments. It is recommended that you leave your car in Texas and rent one in D.C. for road trips.
Getting Around the City
Washington, D.C., has one of the best and cleanest public transportation systems in the world with an outstanding subway and bus system! In less than a day, you’ll get the hang of the system and look just like a D.C. insider riding around town. For more information about the D.C. Metro system, click here.
D.C. Weather
The weather in D.C. ranges from hot Texas-like summers to cold, snowy winters. For a better idea of what the weather will be like when you plan to intern, click here.
Seeing the Sights
Historic monuments, amazing museums, a lively nightlife, great restaurants, and more will keep you busy for your entire internship! Learn more about what D.C. has to offer from the links below.
DC’s Convention & Visitor’s Bureau
Washington Post’s City Guide
Weekend Traveling
Spending a semester as a PPIP intern is a great opportunity to travel to all the historical and exciting places that you have always wanted to see. Colonial Williamsburg, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and more are located just a few hours away. Whether you like exploring big cities or seeing historic landmarks, many adventures lay just outside of Washington, D.C. PPIP interns spend many weekends taking road trips to make the most of their internship experience! Visit the intern photo page to see former Aggie interns on fun and exciting trips!