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, Leila Besic, 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.

Leila Besic is a third-year undergraduate student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Arabic. They interned in Congressman John Garamendi’s office in the House of Representatives.

“I participated in the Quarter in Washington Program in the Winter 2025 quarter. My most memorable experience was my internship in the House of Representatives, where I developed indispensable personal and professional skills. By drafting policy memos, attending briefings, and building strong relationships with peers and colleagues, I was able to gain hands-on experience on Capitol Hill. I also had to opportunity to attend Senate confirmation hearings for nominated officials, which was an extremely unique and insightful experience” – Leila Besic

If you would like to get in contact with Leila Besic about any concerns regarding living in DC, and the overall Quarter in Washington experience, please email them at leilabesicc@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 .