First Thoughts

Although I arrived in Washington, DC a mere two weeks days ago, my time in the capital is proving to be a truly life changing experience. Growing up in close proximity to New York City I have been surrounding by individuals from many different cultures; however, I have never before experienced an environment as culturally rich as Washington, DC. I have already met individuals from Japan, Sudan, Mexico, and Canada. The different perspectives that these individuals bring are an asset to the program. I had the opportunity to partake in a discussion on global issues, and the eloquence of my fellow interns was remarkable. Montclair State University has its fair share of outstanding individuals, however, to be in an environment where everyone is as concerned with the issues facing the global community as you are is amazing.

Students in the International Affairs program had the opportunity to visit the World Bank. Although my focus is not on international development, I was excited to visit the World Bank. The presentation at the World Bank provided me with tremendous insight into the decision making process of the World Bank.

When I first arrived I was a bit apprehensive about living with individuals with whom I had never. I do not live on campus, thus, having roommates for the first time was something that I could not prepare myself for; I could only hope for the best. However, I am more than thrilled with my roommates. The personalities of roommates mesh well with my interests, so there has yet to be an awkward moment. The different cultural perspectives that my roommates share have allowed me to gain insight into the issues surrounding members of different cultures. I am looking forward to the many interesting conversations that we will share during our time in DC.

I have enjoyed the small town feel of DC. Although the district is small—at least in comparison to New York City—it is rich in culture. I had the opportunity to travel to Dupont Circle, which was lined with people from many different countries; for the first twenty minutes, I barley heard anyone utter a word of English. Coming from the New York metro area, I have been exposed to individuals from so many different cultures; however, the cultural richness of DC seems unparalleled. I plan on meeting as many people from as many cultures as possible. This goal is possible since my internship is located in Dupont Circle.

Thus far, I have truly enjoyed my time Washington, DC. I am fortunate to be paired with amazing individuals. I anticipate the semester will provide me with many opportunities to participate in various forums and build life-long connections with remarkable individuals. I am excited to begin the semester-long journey, and I am looking forward to taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.