The 2013 WISE Program
Monday, 3 June – Friday, 2 August

WELCOME TO WISE !

Your society sponsors are anxious to meet you and get the 2012 WISE Program underway. Please look forward to a stimulating 9 weeks that many WISE Alumni have used to forward their education and careers. You'll also make new friends and establish professional contacts – and perhaps most importantly, you will have fun while learning.  We'll do our best to support your efforts and make the weather bearable (DC is notoriously "swampy" in the summer).

FIRST DAY ORIENTATION

Monday, 3 June 2013

STIPEND

Each intern receives (3) three stipend payments totaling $2,100 during the 9-week program. WISE issues your first check during orientation, your second check midway through the program, and your last check, after you have turned in your final paper. Additionally, the WISE program pays for all of your housing (not food) costs at GW University which is the equivalent of approximately an additional $3,000 per intern.

DRESS CODE

During the program, you will visit government and other professional offices, thus you are expected to have suitable business attire. However, you should also bring plenty of casual, cool clothing as Washington summers can be very hot and humid. Please check with your sponsoring society to be sure of what you should be wearing on a daily basis. Office dress codes vary by office. However, note that flip flops - even "dressy" flip flops - and shorts are are never permitted, anywhere.

TRAVEL & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Travel to and from Washington, D.C. to participate in the program is not included in your stipend and you will need to make your own travel arrangements.

AIRPORTS: Supershuttle travels to and from both BWI and Dulles, and is a lower cost option than a cab.

1 - Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (very close to downtown DC and accessible via Metro, or about a $20 cab ride to the dorms.)

2 - Washington Dulles International Airport (no Metro trains travel to Dulles; shuttle buses travel between the airport and Metro, about $60 for a cab ride from the airport to DC)

3 - Baltimore Washington International Airport is accessible via both Amtrak & MARC trains on the weekdays, and only Amtrak on the weekends; the trip is 45 miles one way so cabs are not recommended.)

TRAINS:

1 - MARC train site

2 - Amtrak site - Amtrak comes into Washington at Union Station on Capitol Hill.

3 - Washington, D.C. Metro Transit System

Your dorms are located within walking distance of your daily office spaces so you will not need to use Metro to get back and forth every day.

Rates vary depending on the destination point and time of day. Rates, routes and schedule information can be found online or by calling 202.637.7000. (Metro Map)

BUSES: DC buses also accept the Metro SmartTrip cards, or you may use cash. Riders must have the exact fare for each bus trip since drivers do not make change. Rates vary depending on the destination point and the time of day.  Schedules, rates and other information are available online.

Physically handicapped persons can ride Metrobus and Metrorail for half price with ID. For further information, contact Metro Handicapped Office, call 202.962.1245.

TAXIS: DC's taxis now use meters, so ignore any horror stories that you might have heard about the taxi zone systems.

BIKES: Several bike rental operations have recently opened in DC.

1- Bike and Roll - Bicycle rentals include Trek comfort bikes, performance bikes, road bikes and tandem bikes. All bike rentals include a helmet, U-lock, bike rack, flat kit and city map. Ride one way! You may rent a bike from Union Station and drop off at the DC Downtown location at the Old Post Office Pavilion or the location in Old Town Alexandria for a small fee. Rentals are available in increments of 2-hours, 4-hours, for a full day or for 24-hours. Extended rentals may also be arranged.

2 - Capital Bikeshare - Worth the investment of a month or two's worth of membership.

THE DORMS: GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOUSING

The WISE interns will live in thedormitories at the George Washington University (GWU), located in the Foggy Bottom area of downtown Washington.  Interns are assigned to 3 or 4 person dormitory rooms/ suites. Single rooms are not an option. WISE directly pays your housing costsfor the 9 weeks of your internship.  All campus buildings and residence halls are within walking distance of the two Metro stations serving the university. Both are on the orange and blue lines:

1) Foggy Bottom-GWU (23rd  and I Streets, N.W.)

2) Farragut West (18th and I Streets, N.W.)

IMPORTANT: GWU will send an e-mail directly to all WISE interns regarding your housing arrangements.  Please review that e-mail for updated check-in times.  Your WISE sponsors do not get this information.   In the past, check-in took place between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at New Hall, located at 2350 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20052. If you anticipate check-in after 8:00 p.m., you will need to make prior arrangements with GWU to ensure that staff will be available.  Please call the GW office at 202 994-CLLC to make these arrangements.

Check-out must be completed before 11:00 a.m. on the last day. Check-out also takes place in New Hall where you will return your access cards. Any change in this must be prearranged through the office to avoid additional charges. If you don't return your keys, you will be charged for them.

Summer Housing Staff: Summer staff members live and work in the residence halls throughout the summer months.  Staff members assist groups with check-in and check-out, provide information regarding campus and the Washington, DC area, and act as support staff in all residence hall offices.  One staff member is on duty each night, and can be reached for emergency situations after regular business hours.  GW Summer staff members will be the first to welcome you to campus and are there to provide assistance and support throughout your stay.

Summer Access to Residence Halls: Hall access cards are distributed to each summer resident upon check-in. The electronic access device provides access to the front entrance, elevators, and stairwells of the residence hall in which the resident is housed.  Residents must carry university-issued access cards and proof of identity at all times, and present them when requested.  Additionally, visitors must also show proof of identity and be escorted by residents while in the building.

Parking: Students contemplating bringing a car for the summer should be aware that parking on campus – or anywhere in DC - is very limited and in many cases, nonexistent. D.C. parking regulations severely limit opportunities for non-metered street parking and vehicles without DC plates.  You will not need a car for your WISE-related activities.  Neither will you need one for day to day getting around.  Most DC residents do not own cars. You are encouraged to rely on public transportation.  You will not be reimbursed for parking-related expenses. If you do want to bring a car, monthly leases are available in privately run garages all over the city.  The average monthly lease costs about $200.

Mail: Mail is delivered to each residence hall daily.  Mailbox keys or combinations will be distributed to each resident upon check-in.  A damage fee will be assessed.  Also, feel free to use the "IEEE-USA, Suite 700, 2001 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036" address for your mail ad packages.  Be sure that all mail and packages being sent to IEEE are clearly marked with your name and "WISE."

Also, if you wish to mail anything to DC prior to your arrival, feel free to use the same IEEE-USA address to ship boxes, bikes, etc... .

What to Bring: While GW's Summer and Conference Housing is dedicated to making your stay on campus as comfortable as possible, there are certain items that are not available in the residence halls.  These items are as follows:

• Alarm clock
• Blow dryer
• Ironing board and iron
• Kitchen utensils/dishes/pots/pans
• Toiletries
• Sheets, towels, blankets and pillows

GROCERY SHOPPING

Trader Joe's is located very close to your dorms. 1101 25th Street, NW (9am - 9pm)….Cheapest prices around.

Whole Foods

Safeway

Giant

Costco - accessible by Pentagon City metro (1 blocks from Pentagon City), you'll need a membership card for this one.

SHOPPING IN GENERAL

Shopping malls accessible by Metro include Union Station, the Fashion Center at Pentagon City, Mazza Gallery/Chevy Chase Pavillion, White Flint, and Ballston Mall.

HAVE FUN & EXPLORE : A SHORT LIST of PLACES TO EAT & THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE DC

Best Investment of 75¢: Happy hour is a D.C. specialty and My Brother's Place has one of the best. Their "Beat the Clock Happy Hour", during which certain draft beers cost 75 cents at 4pm and increase by a quarter each hour until 9pm, happens on Fridays. Alternatively, Restaurant Judy on 14th Street (U Street Metro, Green Line) has Mexican beers for $2.50 during happy hour.  Also has yummy food, and music on some nights.

Best Place to Pay Respect: Arlington National Cemetery

Best Place to Learn Everything: The epicenter of nearly everything known to man, the Library of Congress

Best Place to Imagine the Possibilities: National Air and Space Museum

Best Place to be Overwhelmed: The depths of hatred are on display at the United States Holocaust Museum

Best Real Estate Tour: Stop at the world's most famous address. If you've made advance reservations, you can get a free group (10 or more) tour at the White House

Best Place to Test Your Wit: Once a month, D.C. Improv hosts a no-cover-charge "Happy Hour Trivia Night," during which patrons can create value with their worthless knowledge: Tab discounts and free chips and salsa go to the top three teams.

Best Place to Feel History: Ford's Theatre

Best Place to Live JFK's Vision: John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Best Place to Embrace the Present: Carter Barron Amphitheatre The outdoor venue's annual lineup includes free shows that provide a great respite from the city.

Best Place to Cozy up to A Scientist: Sit on Einstein's lap and have your picture taken.

And other must-do items......

Bike or run along the C&O Canal, starting in Georgetown.

Rent a boat and kayak on the Potomac. Jack's Boathouse

Atlas District/ H Street, NE (and more)

Congressional Cemetery (and  more)

Visit the Legendary 930 Club

Washington Nationals - It's not PNC Park, but it'll do.  

Just up the road – The Baltimore Orioles

DC United - (…and their crazy fans - http://www.barra-brava.com/  &  http://screaming-eagles.com/:  both fan clubs have great pre-game tailgate parties and they welcome all new comers)

Go hear some music. Music venues drawing national acts include the Birchmere, WolfTrap, Merriweather Post Pavilion and the Nissan Pavilion.

Go to NEW YORK CITY - If you have the energy, you can get to NYC and back in one day. The cheapest option is the "Chinatown buses" – so called because they run from Chinatown, DC to Chinatown, NY.  There are many options, including: http://www.2000coach.com/; Bolt Bus; and http://www.staticleap.com/chinatownbus/.

Amtrak is very comfortable, quick (3 hours), fun, and the trains run all day, everyday. Roundtrip price about $98 -190 depending upon day and time of travel.

Or PHILADELPHIA, about halfway between DC and NYC and is also a day-trip option.

Or THE BEACHES -

http://www.rehoboth.com/

http://www.beach-net.com/

http://www.ocean-city.com/

http://www.goingoutside.com/beachstates/md.html

Bike Rock Creek Park on the weekends when they close the roads to vehicular traffic. Go see the baby gorilla at the National Zoo.  Remember that the zoo is part of the Smithsonian, and all Smithsonian facilities are FREE! Shop and eat at Eastern Market. Get a Library of Congress reader's card.

RENTING CARS

For those of you who want to rent cars to get around DC, into Virginia, or out to the beaches, all of the usual car rental company options are available.  However, if you need a car for only a few hours or less than a day, the better option is Zipcar.

You'll have plenty of time to explore the unique cultural, historical, and entertainment resources and attractions of Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, such as:  

• The Library of Congress

• The United States Congress

• The Smithsonian Institution

• The White House

• The National Theater

• The National Zoo

• The Washington Nationals MLB

Visit the DC Visitor Information Center for information by category.  Explore local dining, entertainment, and leisure opportunities through the Washingtonian Online or investigate the Washington, DC area through the Washington Post's City Guide, AOL, or WETA's ExploreDC websites. 

QUESTIONS

Questions concerning your research topic, papers and presentations, WISE visits, office arrangements, etc. should be directed to the WISE Faculty-Member-in-Residence and/or your sponsoring society mentor as appropriate.

Questions concerning administration of the WISE program, stipends, housing arrangements at George Washington University, emergencies, etc., should be directed to Erica Wissolik, IEEE-USA, 202-530-8347 or e.wissolik @ ieee.org; or Melissa Carl, ASME 202-785-7380 or m.carl @ asme.org.

WISE Webmaster: Chris Brantley, c.brantley@ieee.org