The 2010 WISE Program
Monday, 7 June – Friday, 6 August

WELCOME TO WISE !

Your society sponsors are anxious to meet you and get the 2010 WISE Program underway. Please look forward to a stimulating 9 weeks that many WISE Alumni have used to forward their education and careers. You'll also make new friends and establish professional contacts – and perhaps most importantly, you will have fun while learning.  We'll do our best to support your efforts and make the weather bearable (DC is notoriously "swampy" in the summer).

FIRST DAY ORIENTATION

Now, for the important stuff....

STIPEND

Each intern receives (3) three stipend payments totaling $2,100 during the 9-week program. WISE issues your first check during orientation, your second check on midway through the program, and your last check, *after* you have turned in your final paper. Additionally, the WISE program pays for all of your housing (not food) costs at GW University.

DRESS CODE

During the program, you will visit government and other professional offices, thus you are expected to have suitable business attire. However, you should also bring plenty of casual, cool clothing as Washington summers can be very hot and humid. Please check with your sponsoring society to be sure of what you should be wearing on a daily basis.

TRAVEL & PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

Travel to and from Washington, D.C. to participate in the program is not included in your stipend and you will need to make your own travel arrangements.

MAPS: - The Lonely Planet site offers a wealth of travel information if you're looking to venture out from the city of DC. DC's Chamber of Commerce also has information for travelers and visitors.

AIRPORTS: Supershuttle travels to and from both BWI and Dulles, and is a lower cost option than a cab.

1 - Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (very close to downtown DC and accessible via Metro, or about a $15-20 cab ride to the dorms.)

2 - Washington Dulles International Airport (no trains travel to Dulles; shuttle buses travel between the airport and Metro, about $60 for a cab ride)

3 - Baltimore Washington International Airport is accessible via both Amtrak & MARC trains on the weekdays, and Amtrak only on the weekends; the trip is 45 miles one way so cabs not recommended.)

TRAINS:

1 - MARC train site

2 - Amtrak site - Amtrak comes into Washington at Union Station on Capitol Hill.

3 - Washington, D.C. Metro Transit System

Metrorail, or "Metro” – is clean, modern, safe and easy to use.  WISE will provide each of you with Metro cards totaling $100 for your local subway travel within the Washington, D.C. area. These cards are to be

used to help cover the cost of traveling to and from your meetings. You are responsible for the card once it is placed in your care.  Your dorms are located very close to the offices of your sponsoring societies so you will not need to use Metro to get back and forth every day.

Rates begin at $1.45 and increase depending on the destination point and time of day. Rates, routes and schedule information can be found online or by calling 202.637.7000. (Metro Map)

BUSES: Riders must have the exact far for each bus trip since drivers do not make change. Rates begin at $1.35 and increase depending on the destination point and the time of day.  Schedules, rates and other information are available online.

TAXIS: DC's taxis now use meters, so ignore any horror stories that you might have heard about the taxi zone systems.

BIKES: Several bike rental opertaions have recently opened in DC.

1- Bike and Roll - Bicycle rentals include Trek comfort bikes, performance bikes, road bikes and tandem bikes. All bike rentals include a helmet, U-lock, bike rack, flat kit and city map. Ride one way! You may rent a bike from Union Station and drop off at the DC Downtown location at the Old Post Office Pavilion or the location in Old Town Alexandria for a small fee. Rentals are available in increments of 2-hours, 4-hours, for a full day or for 24-hours. Extended rentals may also be arranged.

2 - Better Bikes, Inc. - Better Bikes, Inc. rents all kinds of bicycles daily, weekly, or for weekends. Open 7 days a week, available 24-hours a day, including holidays.

3 - Smart Bikes - The first self-service public bike rental program, modeled after a program created in Rennes, France in 1998. SmartBike DC is a new and alternative transportation network that uses the latest technologies to facilitate user access and is structured to enhance the city's public transportation system. Located at key locations in the central business district, the bikes provide a new way of discovering and moving around the city. The bike stations are modular and the bikes are ergonomic and light-weight in a distinct design. Bikes are parked at docking points which use a proprietary locking system to ensure that each bike is securely stored.

THE DORMS: GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY HOUSING

The 2010 WISE interns will live in the Dakota dormitory at the George Washington University (GWU), located in the Foggy Bottom area of downtown Washington.  Interns are assigned to 3 or 4 person dormitory rooms/ suites. WISE directly pays your rent for the 9 weeks of your internship.  All campus buildings and residence halls are within walking distance of the two Metro stations, both on the orange and blue lines:

1) Foggy Bottom-GWU (23rd  and I Streets, N.W.)

2) Farragut West (18th and I Streets, N.W.)

IMPORTANT: GWU will send email directly to all WISE interns regarding housing.  Please review that email for updated check-in times.  In the past, check-in took place between 3:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at New Hall, located at 2350 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20052. If you anticipate check-in after 8:00 p.m., you will need to make prior arrangements with GWU to ensure that staff will be available.  Please call the GW office at 202 994-CLLC to make these arrangements.

Check-out must be completed before 11:00 a.m. on the last Friday of the WISE program. Check-out also takes place in New Hall where you will return your access cards or wands. Any change in this must be prearranged through the office to avoid additional charges. If you don't return your keys, you will be charged for them.

Summer Housing Staff: Summer staff members live and work in the residence halls throughout the summer months.  Staff members assist groups with check-in and check-out, provide information regarding campus and the Washington, DC area, and act as support staff in all residence hall offices.  One staff member is on duty each night, and can be reached for emergency situations after regular business hours.  GW Summer staff members will be the first to welcome you to campus and are there to provide assistance and support throughout your stay.

Summer Access to Residence Halls: Hall access cards are distributed to each summer resident upon check-in.  The electronic access device provides access to the front entrance, elevators, and stairwells of the residence hall in which the resident is housed.  Residents must carry university-issued access cards and proof of identity at all times, and present them when requested.  Additionally, visitors must also show proof of identity and be escorted by residents while in the building.

Parking: Students contemplating bringing a car for the summer should be aware that parking on campus – or anywhere in DC - is very limited and in many cases, non-existant. D.C. parking regulations severely limit opportunities for non-metered street parking and vehicles without DC plates.  You will not need a car for your WISE-related activities and are encouraged to rely on public transportation.  You will not be reimbursed for parking-related expenses. If you do want to bring a car, monthly leases are available in privately run garages all over the city.  The average monthly lease costs about $200.

Mail: Mail is delivered to each residence hall daily.  Mailbox keys or combinations will be distributed to each resident upon check-in.  A damage fee will be assessed.  Also, feel free to use the "IEEE-USA, Suite 700, 2001 L Street, NW" address for your mail.  Just ensure that your mail is clearly marked with your name and your society.

What to Bring: While GW's Summer and Conference Housing is dedicated to making your stay on campus as comfortable as possible, there are certain items that are not available in the residence halls.  These items are as follows:

• Alarm clock
• Blow dryer
• Ironing board and iron
• Kitchen utensils/dishes/pots/pans
• Toiletries
• Sheets, towels, blankets and pillows

GROCERY SHOPPING

Trader Joe's is located very close to your dorms. ….Cheapest prices around.

1101 25th Street NW
9 am - 9 pm

Whole Foods -  P Street, between 14th & 15th Streets, NW.

Safeway

Giant

SHOPPING IN GENERAL

Shopping malls accessible by Metro include Union Station, the Fashion Center at Pentagon City, Mazza Gallery/Chevy Chase Pavillion, and White Flint.

HAVE FUN & EXPLORE : A SHORT LIST of PLACES TO EAT & THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU LEAVE DC

Best Investment of 75¢: Happy hour is a D.C. specialty and My Brother's Place has one of the best. Their "Beat the Clock Happy Hour", during which certain draft beers cost 75 cents at 4pm and increase by a quarter each hour until 9pm, happens on Fridays.

Best Place to Pay Respect: Arlington National Cemetery

Best Place to Learn Everything: The epicenter of nearly everything known to man, the Library of Congress

Best Place to Imagine the Possibilities: National Air and Space Museum

Best Place to be Overwhelmed: The depths of hatred are on display at the United States Holocaust Museum

Best Real Estate Tour: If the buyer's market has you spending weekends at open houses, a stop at the world's most famous address should help you recognize quality architecture. If you've made advance reservations, you can get a free group (10 or more) tour at the White House

Best Place to Test Your Wit: Once a month, D.C. Improv hosts a no-cover-charge "Happy Hour Trivia Night," during which patrons can create value with their worthless knowledge: Tab discounts and free chips and salsa go to the top three teams.

Best Place to Feel History: Ford's Theatre

Best Place to Live JFK's Vision: The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Best Place to Embrace the Present: Carter Barron Amphitheatre The outdoor venue's annual lineup includes free shows that provide a great respite from the city.

Sit on Einstein's lap and have your picture taken.

Bike or run along the C&O Canal, starting in Georgetown.

Rent a boat and kayak on the Potomac. Jack's Boathouse

Atlas District/ H Street, NE (and more)

Congressional Cemetery (and  more)

Visit the Legendary 930 Club

Washington Nationals - It's not PNC Park, but it'll do.  

Just up the road – The Baltimore Orioles

DC United - (…and their crazy fans - http://www.barra-brava.com/  &  http://screaming-eagles.com/:  both fan clubs have great pre-game tailgate parties and they welcome all new comers)

Go hear some music. Music venues drawing national acts include the Birchmere, WolfTrap, Merriweather Post Pavilion and the Nissan Pavilion.

Go to NEW YORK CITY - If you have the energy, you can get to NYC and back in one day. The cheapest option is the "Chinatown buses" – so called because they run from Chinatown, DC to Chinatown, NY.  There are many options, including: http://www.2000coach.com/; Bolt Bus; and http://www.staticleap.com/chinatownbus/.

Amtrak is very comfortable, quick (3 hours) and fun, and the trains run all day, everyday. Roundtrip price about $140-190 depending upon day and time of travel.

Or PHILADELPHIA, about halfway between DC and NYC and is also a day-trip option.

Or THE BEACHES -

http://www.rehoboth.com/

http://www.beach-net.com/

http://www.ocean-city.com/

http://www.goingoutside.com/beachstates/md.html

Bike Rock Creek Park on the weekends when they close the roads to vehicular traffic. Go see the baby gorilla at the National Zoo.  Remember that the zoo is part of the Smithsonian, and all Smithsonian facilities are FREE! Shop and eat at Eastern Market. Get a Library of Congress reader's card.

RENTING CARS

For those of you who want to rent cars to get around DC, into Virginia, or out to the beaches, all of the usual car rental company options are available.  However, if you need a car for only a few hours or less than a day, the better option is Zipcar.

You'll have plenty of time to explore the unique cultural, historical, and entertainment resources and attractions of Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia, such as:  

• The Library of Congress

• The United States Congress

• The Smithsonian Institution

• The White House

• The National Theater

• The National Zoo

• The Washington Nationals MLB

Visit the DC Visitor Information Center for information by category.  Explore local dining, entertainment, and leisure opportunities through the Washingtonian Online or investigate the Washington, DC area through the Washington Post's City Guide, AOL, or WETA's ExploreDC websites. 

QUESTIONS

Questions concerning your research topic, papers and presentations, WISE visits, office arrangements, etc. should be directed to the WISE Faculty-Member-in-Residence and/or your sponsoring society mentor as appropriate.

Questions concerning administration of the WISE program, stipends, housing arrangements at George Washington University, emergencies, etc., should be directed to Erica Wissolik, IEEE-USA, 202-530-8347 or e.wissolik @ ieee.org; Marjorie Springer, IEEE-USA, 202-530-8364, m.springer @ ieee.org; or Melissa Carl, ASME 202-785-7380 or m.carl @ asme.org.

WISE Webmaster: Chris Brantley, c.brantley@ieee.org