let me explain WJC, or at least try

So to those who keep asking what college I am attending, let me attempt to explain the unique structure of the Washington Journalism Center (WJC) with the use of numbered points...

1. I am not attending a specific college. WJC is a study abroad program that runs through BestSemester, a Christian study abroad organization that hosts students from various college within its Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (APU is a member). Therefore, the program has its own professor (Terry Mattingly who is a journalism genius) and an internship advisor (Greg Perreault who is also a journalism genius).

2. l live in the Dellenbeck Center. This center is where the main headquarters for BestSemester is located. So those who are in charge of coordinating the Uganda trip or the infamous Australia trip work here. Next to these offices are our apartments, lounges, a workout room and study rooms. Both the WJC students and those participating in the American Studies program live here.

3. I take classes in the "Greenhouse." The lovely brick house you see with the green door is two doors down from my apartment, less than a minute walk. They call it the "Greenhouse" and there's a cool/urban lounge upstairs with free coffee and tea. Our classroom is under the building (a short walk under those black stairs). I am taking three classes plus an internship that doesn't start until February. The class system, as I found out today in my first class session, is very different from the norm. I take one class at a time and only have class Monday and Friday with the internship in between. In total, there are 15 WJC students who take the same classes.

4. There's a coffee shop next door. This last point doesn't need further clarification because if you know me, you will understand. Let's just say when this semester ends, I will have lived next to a coffee shop for almost an entire year. At APU, Starbucks was a simple leap over the alley wall to tempt my wallet and calm my insanity. Now, Jacob's coffee shop completes my idea of an ideal neighborhood.

I hope that clears some things up and if not, don't worry. I'm still trying to figure things out.

Quick update! Since the last post, Sunday was filled with relaxation before heading to church at Grace Presbyterian Church of Washington D.C. in Chinatown (Yeah D.C. has one but there's not as many restaurants as San Francisco). The church meets at this old looking church that's massive (right). Our group later stopped for some "Fro-yo" at Tangy Sweet. Pomegranate yogurt with Cap'n crunch cereal never tasted so good. Today was spent taking my first classes and learning more about this exciting field of journalism.

Now I leave you with some beautiful images from today's D.C. adventure. A group of us took a monument tour today to see the Washington monument, cruise through the FDR memorial and walk along the Potomac river to the Thomas Jefferson memorial with the beautiful sunset behind us. I love this city, I mentioned that already...right?