Transforming

Hi Stonehill!

I am having an amazing time in D.C. There is SO much to do- although the busy schedule often can be tiring! My program, called Transforming Communities, is essentially a sociology course centered around public policy. My professor is incredible. She has practiced law, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran, and was part of the Civil Rights movement march on Washington! She has more energy than all of students! Her enthusiasm is contagious, and it motivates me to give 100% in all of our assignments discussions. I am learning so much this semester. Our class travels around the city- and I mean ALL around the city- to hear speakers who are experts in their field or are working within communities to solve some of their toughest problems. Because the classes here are small and meet at length three days a week, you form close bonds with your classmates. I have found most people here to be friendly and outgoing. My surprise third roommate (I didn't know there would be three of us until I arrived) is one of the sweetest people I have ever met! Patti and I have become great friends and she even coming home with me for Thanksgiving. As I mentioned in earlier posts, the Washington Semester program has a large number of international students. As cliche as it sounds, getting to know people from other countries has really opened my mind to other perspectives and changed the way I look at everything from daily practices to political processes.
Of course, another huge part of this program is the internship- and the search for an internship was pretty terrifying. I was much more nervous than I should have been, but most of us were, which made it worse! However, everyone gets through it and it is nice to be able to seek out and choose a place yourself. I am interning at the Peace Corps Regional Recruiting Office in Virginia, just one stop outside of the city on the blue line. Everyone in my office is very nice, and I respond well to the relaxed atmosphere. My favorite part of work is writing press releases about Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and promoting the personal projects they work on at their service sites. The volunteers need donations to help fund their projects, and I like to think I am helping them by writing up press releases and sending them to local publications.
It is always unsettling to be in a new place, but I am so glad I made the decision to come to Washington. Being in a vibrant city where high-profile events are around every corner, neighborhoods offer new cultural experiences, and change is in the air is a refreshing and exciting change from Easton! I would definitely recommend this program, especially the Transforming Community section.