Prepare: The Housing

WISH Wooodly Park

WISH Wooodly Park is located at 2807 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC 20008.

Each 6-person apartment shares a locked mailbox in the lobby and packages sent to the building can be picked up from hall staff (make sure your apartment number is on all your mail).

Each apartment has a kitchen with a full-size refrigerator/freezer, stove/oven, dishwasher, and microwave. There is ample storage space in cabinets for food items and plateware. Dishes, bowls, glasses, and silverware are provided, though some past participants have also used disposable supplies to avoid cleaning dishes every day or so. Obviously, your experience may vary.

There are two full-bathrooms in each apartment. You will need to supply your own toilet paper, soaps, rugs, and towels. WISH Woodly Park will supply shower curtains if they're not already there when you move in. With six people often trying to get ready at the same time, it can be helpful to talk with your suitemates about scheduling in the mornings.

There is an elevator in the building. It won't break any speed records, but it's great when moving heavy or large items or when you come back from an exhausting day and don't feel like trudging up the stairs.

The Center supposedly has WiFi, but you'll need a miracle to get regular access, especially above the second floor. Each bedroom and the common room in every apartment have ethernet jacks and you can set up your own wireless router if you are desperate for good mobile access.

In the basement there is a coin-op laundry room (beware of the phantom dryers that spin, but don't heat up; if you are unlucky enough to use one of them, post a note on the machine so other residents know), basic vending machines, and a computer center. The computer center is great for students who don't have a laptop since bringing a desktop PC is awkward (each apartment has two desks, total, and they're in the common room not always in good computing locations) and is also useful for printing documents.

Every bedroom and the common rooms have cable TV jacks, so discuss who is bringing a TV with your suitemates before leaving. It's a good idea for there to be at least one TV per apartment, but don't get attached to any particular shows unless you plan on recording them...

WISH Woodly Park has a front desk security guard 24 hours a day and is quite different from Miami in its visitation and conduct policies, so make sure to read the information you're given by the WISH Woodly Park staff.

Woodley Park Centeris an upper-middle class residential neighborhood along Connecticut Avenue just blocks from Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, Rock Creek Park the National Zoo, and many other attactions.

There are several stores within an easy walk of the Center including:
Manhattan Market - A small supermarket with cereal, milk, frozen foods, breads, and some fresh produce. It's more expensive than Giant (below), but when you factor in Metro costs, it's a good place if you only need a few items. Also, it's one of the rare places you can buy quarters when the BU Center's change machine runs dry.

CVS - The pharmacy that also carries energy bars, basic medical and toiletry supplies, and some snack foods.

Dry Cleaners - There are two dry cleaners near the Metro station on either side of Connecticut Ave. They have comparable prices and service. Try them both and see what you like or stick with one unless they give you reason to switch. Make sure to plan ahead what clothes you'll be needing since turnaround time is usually 1-2 business days. Remember to ask when your items will be ready and keep in mind that they follow posted hours closely.

Giant - Okay, it's not really an "easy walk"--you have to take the Metro two stops north to Van Ness--but once you're there it's literally right outside the north exit. Giant is a full-scale supermarket (think Kroger) with all the usual goods. Most people find it worthwhile to go with some of their suitemates the first weekend to stock up on apartment supplies (dishwasher soap, toilet paper, bathroom rugs, hand soaps, and paper towels) as well as food. Whenever you're out of enough things to justify the cost of the Metro, head up to Giant (just make sure to only get what you can carry back on the Metro, or bring a hand-cart with you). See the customer service desk to get their free discount card.