Grad School and life in DC

[MAurelius]

Hello everyone

I have been lurking here for some time. I appreciate your always honest and detailed answers to even quite difficult questions. 

I am very excited to move from Europe to the U.S. as I have been accepted for graduate studies (Strategic Studies) at SAIS at Johns Hopkins University. I intend to pursue a career in, preferably, a think tank or the defense industry. I hope to be in a good position to enter these fields as I speak Russian and Arabic (both full professional fluency) on top of being an Army officer in my native country.

I would like to know more of what kind of experience I will have at JHU. How is life in DC in general? What do you like about the city? How are foreigners welcomed? 

Links to other answers on the forum are also very much appreciated.

Thank you 

- Aurelius



 

[dippedincoffee]

I personally don't live in DC, but my sister does! She went to grad school at American University and now has a job there, loves the city. It is pretty expensive to live there and I found that many people I know live outside of the city for cheaper rent. I would definitely look into getting roommates to be able to afford a decent place. Other than that, I think DC is a cool place. There is a lot of free stuff to do and in general people are very accepting. A lot of people don't know this but DC actually has a large African American population and so I think that adds a lot to the atmosphere.