Washington, DC: Global Gateway Summer 2026 (Discoveries)

Program: UW Global Gateway in Washington, DC, Summer

Meron A: “That’s new to me” Moment 

My “that’s new to me” moment was actually not even in the classroom; it was in this historical restaurant called Ben’s Chili Bowl.  My perception of DC before this experience was that it was a money-hungry, cold, and corporate climbing city. The first thing that came to mind was those people who always seemed in a rush with crisp suits.

Ben’s Chili Bowl completely changed my mind. It had a powerful history and even more powerful community that surrounded it. Just seeing how far back its lineage goes, along with all the historical and famous figures, was enough to move you. Their communities were so connected that it made you feel at home, not like a busy city. That is where I learned just how much the black community had to do with the founding of DC.

During our meal, we talked about how slaves actually built the Capitol and many monuments. We also talked about how there used to be rallies and meetings in the very room we were in. Ben’s Chili was genuinely a pillar in this community, and I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to see it in real life. The owner even came out and gave us an introduction.

I just remember being fascinated, listening to the rich history and culture, which made me realize that there is a community almost anywhere you go. It made me see DC through another lens, this time seeing the real people, not the people out side of capital hill, but the people of the community. I hope to bring this new perspective to Madison, so maybe I can start a new community for myself.

Briana R: A Home away from Home in Washington, DC

One of the new experiences that quickly became a part of my everyday routine in Washington, D.C. is walking to class with everyone in the group every morning. Along the way I pass by the Supreme Court and the Capital building. Seeing these historic government buildings nearly everyday was something different from my life back home. At the beginning of the program, I would stop to look at the buildings and take pictures, but eventually the walk became a familiar part of my daily routine.

Another part of my routine is spending my lunch break with the other students in the program at Union Station because it is the closest place to the classroom building. Most days I would grab lunch from Chick-Fil-A or Wendy’s. It became a food spot where I can eat with the others and recharge before taking the metro for the next couple of excursions.

Additionally, going to different excursions everyday has become part of my routine. I am now getting used to going to different places throughout Washington, D.C, and exploring different parts of the city. Whether it’s going to museums such as the Holocaust, volunteering at the garden, or visiting historical sites like the Lincoln Memorial, each excursion provides an opportunity to learn something new everyday. These experiences have helped me gain a much deeper understanding of the history and the community of Washington, D.C, making each day different and exciting.

A memorable interaction with the people in my program was spending time with the other students at the Wharf. At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go, but I am glad that Mary encouraged me too. I ended up having such a fun time. We decided to rent Lime scooters for $5 each and rode around the Wharf for about 45 mins. We also went on the swings and took pictures there together. We then walked around and looked at the pretty view. I enjoyed getting to know the other students a bit more in D.C, this was a good bonding experience for us. I would definitely go back again.