Illinois in Washington students live in program-designated housing while participating in the program. Living in Washington is an important part of the Illinois in Washington experience: students live alongside other participants, complete internships throughout the city, take classes in Washington, and have the opportunity to explore the nation’s capital outside of work and class.
IIW Housing
Illinois in Washington arranges housing for participating students through its designated housing provider (The Aria). Apartments are located in Washington, D.C., and are fully furnished. Students should expect to share an apartment with other students in the program; in some cases, students may live with students from other universities as well.
Participants are generally required to live in Illinois in Washington-sponsored housing. The primary exception is for students who secure an internship that provides housing at no cost.
Students may request to live with a particular student (additional information about roommate requests will be provided to accepted students, and requests will be submitted through the Roomsie platform). Although we will do our best to accommodate these requests, they cannot always be guaranteed. Students may also request a private bedroom, though this option is generally more expensive and subject to availability.
What is Included?
IIW housing is furnished and includes basic kitchen items, such as pots, pans, and utensils. Students should plan to bring or purchase the following items:
- Bedding for a standard twin-size bed, including sheets, blankets, and pillows
- Bath towels and toiletries
- A laptop
- An iron, if needed
- Professional and business-casual clothing appropriate for their internship
Students should check with the housing provider before arriving for the most current information about apartment furnishings, building amenities, and what is included in their specific unit.
Housing Costs and Move-In
The University of Illinois initially pays housing costs on behalf of participants and charges those costs to students’ UIUC student accounts. Students may pay these charges through the same methods available for other University of Illinois expenses.
Housing is generally available shortly before the beginning of the program and remains available briefly after the final class meeting. Students who need to arrive early or remain in Washington after the program ends may be able to arrange additional housing directly with the provider, but additional costs may apply.
Before arriving in Washington, students will receive information about their move-in date, apartment assignment, keys, and check-in procedures. Students should communicate any housing questions, accommodation needs, or arrival concerns as early as possible.
Preparing for Washington
Students may bring their belongings with them, purchase items after arriving in Washington, or ship belongings to their apartment. Students who ship packages should make sure that deliveries will arrive after they are scheduled to move in and that packages are addressed correctly.
Internships in Washington operate much like professional workplaces. Students should bring clothing appropriate for a business or business-casual setting. Expectations vary by office: some placements may require more formal attire, while others may be less formal. Students should ask their internship supervisor about the office dress code before arriving.
Living and Getting Around Washington, D.C.
- WMATA New Rider Guide
A practical guide to using Metro and Metrobus, including fares, transfers, trip planning, accessibility, and SmarTrip payment options. WMATA also has specific guides for visitors, airports, train stations, bikes, and service alerts. - WMATA Trip Planner
Plan Metro and Metrobus routes, check schedules, see real-time arrival information, and review service alerts. - Capital Bikeshare
A bike-share option for getting around D.C. and nearby areas. Students can use the system map, app, and pricing information to determine whether it is useful for their commute or exploring the city. - District of Columbia Public Library
Public-library branches, study space, events, digital resources, and local programming. This can be useful for students who want a quiet place to work outside their apartment or internship site. - Library of Congress Events
Current lectures, concerts, exhibitions, workshops, tours, film screenings, and special events. The site is updated continuously and is far better than linking one old “Live! at the Library” page. - Smithsonian Events
Current museum events, lectures, tours, exhibitions, and programs across Smithsonian institutions. - National Gallery of Art Calendar
Exhibitions, talks, films, performances, tours, and other programming at the National Gallery of Art. - National Archives in Washington, D.C.
Information about visiting the National Archives, exhibitions, research access, and public programming. - National Mall and Memorial Parks
Visitor information, park updates, ranger programs, and resources for exploring the National Mall and memorials.
Getting to Washington
Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own transportation to Washington. The three major airports serving the area are Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI).
DCA is directly served by the Washington Metro’s Blue and Yellow Lines, while IAD is served by the Silver Line. BWI is not connected to the Metro system; instead, travelers can take a free airport shuttle to the BWI Rail Station, which is served by MARC Penn Line and Amtrak trains to Washington Union Station.
Once in Washington, students commonly use Metro, buses, rideshare services, and walking to travel throughout the city. Students should become familiar with the location of their housing, internship, and class meetings before arriving. Washington addresses include a quadrant designation (NW, NE, SW, or SE), so students should always confirm the full address before traveling.
A Typical Week in Washington
During the fall and spring semesters, students generally complete their internships Monday through Thursday and attend Illinois in Washington courses on Fridays. Students may also take an additional course, such as PS 321: Principles of Public Policy, during the week.
Exact internship schedules, class times, and course formats vary by semester and placement. Students will receive current scheduling information before the start of the program.
Still Have Questions?
Students with questions about housing, roommates, move-in procedures, or accommodations should contact Illinois in Washington staff at IllinoisInWashington@illinois.edu as soon as possible. Students will also receive information directly from the housing provider regarding their specific building, apartment assignment, and arrival procedures.
For answers to other common questions, please visit our FAQ page HERE.
Housing Gallery
For additional information, including floor plans, please visit: https://www.thewihn.com/buildings/the-aria-on-l
