AU students have many options this semester to get out and enjoy the city in the Experience D.C. program.
The program is based on student and staff input on the types of trips they would like to take, according to the Experience D.C. Web site, www.american.edu/ocl/activities/experiencedc.
"I think the program is a good idea, because it allows AU students who are new to D.C. to fully appreciate the many social opportunities that the District offers," said Evan Ewers, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.
"Participants have the opportunity to engage in lots of different activities," said Chris Tankersley, the Experience D.C. program coordinator.
"Typically, we organize events about once a month, sometimes twice if there are a lot of activities going on around the city," he said. "Last semester, we attended Washington Nationals games and also went to trips downtown to ghost tours around Halloween."
Past events also included trips to the Kennedy Center. An outing to a Washington Capitals hockey game at the MCI Center is planned for Feb. 7.
The number of people who attend varies, according to Tankersley. Last semester, the program bought and sold 50 tickets to a Washington Nationals baseball game, and a trip to see the Washington Wizards is sold out.
"The most popular event was the October ghost tour," Tankersley said. "Over 50 people attended that event."
According to Tankersley, the program usually receives a good mix of graduate and undergraduate students.
"Faculty and staff are also welcome to attend activities, depending on what type of trip we organize," he said.
Katelyn Keegan, a graduate student in the School of Public Affairs, attended the Halloween walk in October.
"It was something I would never have thought to look into doing myself and I have been in D.C. almost six years now," Keegan said.
Keegan called the program a "great value."
"You can't beat a $35 ticket for a tour, plus metro for $5 and you don't necessarily need to be with the people from school to get there or participate in the activity," she said.
Tankersley said the program is educational and also fun.
"Students who are hesitant to take advantage of the city by themselves or because their friends aren't interested in what they are can choose Experience D.C. It's also a very cost-effective program," he said.
Events are typically $10 and Metro passes are also given to participants
For more information on the program, visit the program's Web site at www.american.edu/ocl/activities/experiencedc or e-mail Tankersley at tankersl@american.edu.
