University of California, Washington Center

“DC was wonderful! I never imagined it would be such a vibrant city with such distinct neighborhoods.”
Michelle Harati

Home Away From UCLA: The UC Washington Center

Your home in DC, the 11-story  UC Washington Center , is right in the middle of one of America’s most exciting cities–just six blocks from the White House, near the vibrant and cosmopolitan Dupont Circle neighborhood .

Many internships are just a short walk or subway ride away.

UC Washington Center Features:

  • Fully-furnished two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens
  • Classrooms
  • 24-hour computer lab
  • Meeting rooms
  • Laundry facilities
  • Avenue C, a snacks-and-sundries shop
  • 24-hour guarded security
  • Fitness center
  • Weekly light housekeeping service

Meet the Quarter in Washington Student Ambassador

We are thrilled to introduce our esteemed Student Ambassador, Rujula Vikram, a distinguished alumna of our program who has graciously taken on the role to guide and inspire future participants. As a former student, they bring a wealth of firsthand experience and insights into the unique opportunities of living in the heart of our nation’s capital. Whether you’re curious about the academic rigors or the overall thrill of being part of this transformative program, our Student Ambassador is your go-to resource.

Rujula Vikram is a third-year undergrad student at UCLA double-majoring in political science and economics. She participated in the Quarter in Washington Program during Spring 2023 and interned for Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Outside of school, Rujula founded and currently serves as president of The Uplift Initiative—a 501c3 nonprofit that provides peer-to-peer mentorship services to students attending Title I high schools. She also enjoys playing tennis and exploring new cafes.

“Participating in UCDC enabled me to develop invaluable personal and professional skills. Not only did I have the opportunity to get hands-on experience on the Hill in drafting policy memos, but I also developed strong connections with my peers and coworkers. I now feel more assured in my decision to attend law school and know that I have the support of many mentors from DC in my journey.” – Rujula Viikram

If you would like to get in contact with Rujula Vikram about any concerns regarding living in DC, and the overall Quarter in Washington experience, please email them at rujula@g.ucla.edu.

For any administrative questions about the Quarter in Washington Program, please reach out to our Quarter in Washington Program Coordinator, Charlie Ruano, at cruano@college.ucla.edu.

Washington is something special. You could be there for 10 years and not see everything.”
Michael Farr
White House Garden Tour
White House Garden Tour

Rapidly redeveloping DC is full of college students and young professionals who want urban lifestyles. They flock to the city’s countless restaurants and events–not just for fun, but to network and to share their ideas and enthusiasm for everything from politics, foreign affairs, government, and international development to urban planning, history, art, and journalism.


Cherry Blossoms
“By the end of the program, you will not want to leave.”
Igor Kleyman

A Great Metro Means No Car Needed

One big difference between Washington and LA is that Washington, DC is compact, walkable, and has such a good transportation system–The DC Metro — that you don’t need to have a car to get around to all the free museums, monuments, and street festivals.

Want to learn more about DC? Begin your exploration on washingtonian.com , dccool.com , and culturaltourismdc.org . Get a feel for abundant policy and political events on DCLinkTank.com .