Study abroad at Washington

Washington, District of Columbia (internationally celebrated as the Capital of the United States and the premier global capital of world politics, international diplomacy, multilateral finance, and think tanks) is one of the world's most powerful, cosmopolitan, and intellectually transformative student capitals, situated along the Potomac River, home to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Globally celebrated for the iconic National Mall, the US Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, the Smithsonian Institution (world's largest museum and research complex with 19 free museums and galleries), the Library of Congress, and its unmatched headquarters concentration of global international organizations (the World Bank, International Monetary Fund IMF, Inter-American Development Bank, Organization of American States), over 175 foreign embassies, and Fortune 500 defense and cloud tech giants (Amazon HQ2). Washington, D.C. is home to world-renowned, elite universities: Georgetown University (founded in 1789, prestigious private research powerhouse ranked World Top 180 by QS and Top 20 in the US, famed for the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service #1 in the world for International Affairs, McDonough School of Business AACSB, and Georgetown Law), George Washington University (GWU - located in Foggy Bottom next to the State Department and World Bank, world-famous for the Elliott School of International Affairs and School of Media & Public Affairs), American University (AU - School of International Service SIS and Kogod School of Business), Howard University (America's premier historically Black research university), and Catholic University of America. Degrees are taught 100% in English with prestigious US accreditations. International students benefit from unrivaled global internship opportunities on Capitol Hill and international agencies, the Washington Metrorail transit system, and direct US F-1 / I-20 Student Visa support with 3-year STEM OPT work extensions.

Tuition fees in Washington, D.C. for international undergraduate students at top private universities (Georgetown University, George Washington University, American University) range between $58,500 and $64,800 per academic year for International Affairs, Business Administration, Computer Science, and Political Science. For public and regional institutions (such as University of the District of Columbia UDC), tuition is approx. $17,500 to $22,500/year. Leading universities award competitive international merit scholarships (such as GWU Presidential Scholarships and AU International Scholarships discounting $10,000 to $25,000/year). Modern on-campus university student residences (Georgetown: Village C, Copley Hall, Southwest Quad; GWU: District House, Shenkman Hall, Thurston Hall - fully furnished student suites with high-speed Wi-Fi, utilities, and dining meal plans) cost between $900 and $1,550 per month (inclusive of meal plans and utilities), while off-campus student apartments in Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, Columbia Heights, and Arlington/Rosslyn range from $750 to $1,350 per month for shared apartments. General monthly living expenses range between $950 and $1,600.

International students require a US F-1 Student Visa. Upon academic admission and verification of financial documentation (bank statement certifying first-year tuition and living expenses approx. $45,000–$55,000), the Office of Global Services (OGS) issues the official Form I-20. The student pays the SEVIS I-901 fee, completes the DS-160 online visa application, and attends the F-1 visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate. STEM graduates qualify for a 24-month OPT extension (total 36 months of US employment authorization across Washington, DMV tech corridors, and nationwide).