Final Two Weeks in D.C.

As the WAIP chapter of my life comes to a close, I will be spending an extra two weeks in Washington to work. Zach and I are the last of the Mohicans. Our supervisors gave us the opportunity to stay over our obligation to work and contribute to our organizations. This will give me an extra two weeks to see more of the city because I will not have the class to worry about. I can simply focus on work throughout the day, then spend the rest of my time in the city. I will have more time to do the things I wanted to do during the quarter but didn't get the chance because of the seminar and policy paper. It will be a great opportunity. I am even thinking about taking a weekend trip up to New York or Philadelphia this weekend.

I would also like to take this time to give a shout out to Mike and Dr. Kolson. Thank you for all you have done for us throughout the quarter. It was a challenging, but fun and intellectually stimulating quarter. It was a great ten weeks and it went by fast. I am certainly intellectually richer from the experience. It is one that I will never forget. It was the highlight of my undergraduate education.

- JG

National Manufacturing Summit

The following day I will be attending a National Manufacturing Summit at the Ronald Reagan Building.  As a public affairs major with interests in technology and innovation policy, I will certainly find this summit very interesting.  Some speakers include the CEO of Deere & Co., Presidents of National Labs, the President of MIT, University Presidents, and top government officials.  I am really looking forward to see this collection of intelligent and diverse professionals discuss policies that will benefit our company.  Collaboration is the best way to solve the challenging problems that face our society.  Good thing we are provided business cards.

ZD

Dinner at National Portrait Gallery

Although the WAIP program ends today I figured I'd share some upcoming events I will be attending next week through my internship.  Next Wednesday I will be attending a dinner at the National Portrait Gallery celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Council on Competitiveness.  It should be a very exciting evening getting to enjoy good food and art.  Not to mention the opportunity to mingle with government officials, government affairs personnel for top universities and companies along with some executives.  The event is being covered by MSNBC, Industry Week, Scientific American, and other media.

ZD

Turkish Embassy

Although a little delayed, I wanted to share my experience at the Turkish Embassy. The seminar class headed to the embassy during one of our Friday afternoon field trips. We were especially anxious about the visit due to on-going turmoil between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots, as we had a Greek Cypriots among us.
The aspect I enjoyed most about the visit was seeing how diplomats interact. Our host spoke calmly and neutrally about all topics, even some of the most controversial ones such as our troop removal from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our host gave us a diligent history of Turkey and highlighted its unique and honorable democracy.
Secondly, the trip enlightened my view of foreign affairs. I have always focused on policy areas that affect me directly or those I know so it was advantageous to open my eyes to the realm of international affairs. The trip to the Turkish Embassy emphasized a unique and extremely beneficial between the United States and Turkey's western democracy surrounded by eastern-world philosophies.

-AKW

Hot Coffee

Every once in a while something exciting happens at your internship office. I just happened to have one of those experiences just two days ago. As usual we had our MENA staff meeting on tuesday at 3pm. Generally these meetings consist of everyone in the department telling the department heads what we have accomplished for the week or are going to accomplish. Nothing out of the usual thus far. For this particular meeting only 1 of the 3 bosses was in attendence for the other two are in Egypt. As the meeting progressed and got close to the end one of the girls had a sheet of paper she needed to give to the boss so she slid it across the huge table on the conference room, it only got halfway there. The paper was now sitting directly in front of me and the other intern Patrick, as I thought about if I should reach out and slide it it was too late. Patrick had already gotten up and slid the paper towards our boss. Now this is the interesting part. Patrick slid the paper a little too hard right into the bosses coffee mug knocking it over and spilling coffee all over him. Everyone on the staff was laughing histarically, all the while I was just glad he had pushed the stack of papers before I could or it might have happened to me. Patrick has yet to recover, he has been having nightmares.


-BS

No Soup For You

As the quarter winds down we are all aware that we wont be able to enjoy some of our favorite parts of Capitol Hill soon. We The Pizza is one of those things all of us loved. Living on Capitol Hill is one of the most boring things after 6:00 p.m. so you have to do whatever you can to find something to do.  Seeing as it is one of the very few places to get food near the hill we all have been there and enjoyed it. We The Pizza was such a great place to eat and hang out. The best pizza in D.C. I'm sure. We all enjoyed it and will miss it dearly. As you can see from the picture of Kyle crying he will particularly enjoy it. So most of us have made out last trip or will make our last trip to our favorite pizza joint for one last time.



-BS

Best views in D.C.?

The best views in Washington D.C. are without a doubt, the views that are unrestricted.  I was given an opportunity to take part in a Capitol Dome tour.   This provides a breathtaking 360 degree view of the city.  This is a tour that is not well known and I would encourage everyone to try and experience.  It's not easy, but it's not impossible.  The tour can be set up through your representative's office.  The tour requires that the representative or chief of staff accompany you.  However, if your office is not giving tour I would request to piggy-back another some tour.  It never hurts to ask.  It is important to note that this is a tour that climbs 300-400 steps.  There is no elevators or escalators, but it is completely worth it.

My personal favorite has been the view from the Speaker's balcony.  This has been the greatest perk of my internship.  I have loved having the opportunity to show it fellows, constituents, and family.  Looking out on the mall, the view is centered on the Washington Monument which cuts the Lincoln Memorial in halves.

On a personal level, it has been inspiring.  When I sit on the balcony, which I try to do as often as possible, I can't help but be impressed, thankful, and motivated.  I am impressed because of the Speaker is a man who has earned his title.  He is hard working, determined, and deserves his success.  I am thankful for having the opportunity to take part in this program, and having the support system back home to push myself to remain ambitious.  Most of all, the view from the balcony is motivating.  I ask myself, "Why not me?"

AA