A Little Thing Called Hope

Nothing relieves stress quite like the high you get from running. I’ve found this to be ever more true when my runs take me the scenic route past the Capitol Building. I can’t even begin to put into words how amazing the simple notion of taking a jog down the street can be transformed into an adventurous trip when taking into account my new residence in the heart of our nations capital. The orientation for the WAIP program and the first few days of at my internship have left me overwhelmed with facts, due dates, and expectations. Yet that hour of my day spent soaking in the D.C. air while I search for a clear path of “walk” signals along the sea of crowded and bustling cross walks gives me the ability to catch up with the time that seems to be flying by on this trip.



It’s hard to believe it’s already been four days since I unloaded the tightly packed car with my seemingly endless bags to serve as my suvivor kit until June. Each day I have become more and more comfortable with the prospect of one day considering D.C. a more permanent version of home. Although I have already adopted the double apartment room as my home away for home for the time being, and have begun to pick up on the tiny quirks that make this residence unlike any other I will experience in my lifetime, I can’t help but imagine the idea of living and working in D.C. without an end date circled on the calendar.

To the regular passengers of the metro, their journeys into work may seem like another ordinary day in their lives. But for me, that overly priced metro card signaling my entrance into the D.C. lifestyle helps serve as a reminder of why I originally applied for the WAIP program. Maybe it’s my idealistic view of certain aspects of politics (and life in general) but when it comes down to it I’m determined to prove that I can make an impact, even in a way that may seem insignificant or unimpressive to a percentage of others.



Even if my influence does not match up to impossible standards that today’s society places on us. I’m beginning to learn that the progress I want to make should be more about meeting my own standards and setting my own goals. Although the prospect of rubbing elbows with politicos and building networking skills may be at the forefront of the program’s recruitment process, my main motivations are slightly less bureaucratic. Similar to that rush and jolt of energy I feel when my mind is free to wander during a run, there is a certain feeling of excitment that entices me with political work. I guess it would be fair to say that I’m the definition of a political nerd. Call me naive if you wish. I’ll take my chances at success over accepting failure any day.

Erin Ryan

Ms. Kaufman Goes To Washington

Many of us now recognize this building as we find ourselves walking past it to the Metro, working in it for Senator Brown, or admiring it from the Congressional's windows. Today, I was graciously asked to attend a Senate Hearing held by the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight here at the Dirksen Senate Office Building (you can see my dark curly hair and tan trench coat in first few minutes, third row third chair from the left)!

Discussing Project On Government Oversight's General Officer Scott Amey's Bad Business report, I saw in action the effect of POGO's constant push to improve government. Listening to Senator McCaskill, Senator Rob Portman, and Senator Jon Tester's presentation and hearing first hand three testimonies, I stumbled on a subject for my policy paper and new interest in Contract Oversight. Amey's yearn to make government more efficient and effective illuminates the magnitude of opportunities available to me to create and suggest better government practices.

Although it was only my third day at the Project On Government Oversight, I feel integrated into their operation. I have been assigned my responsibilities, made apart of their team, and have been asked to perform to the best of my ability. While I may sound pessimistic, I hardly expected to be doing much more than administrative work this early in my internship. Yet, I have already been published on their blog and have learned so much (i.e., how to hyperlink).

Their enthusiasm and passion for their mission is remarkable and inspiring. It makes direct parallels to what we were prepared for in class Monday and has, in less than 72 hours, surpassed my every expectation. I am so proud to be a John Glenn Fellow and cannot wait to hear about everyone else's experiences.

Melanie Joy Kaufman

Becoming A Washington Insider

Washington DC is a city of old and new. It is a city that represents accomplishment and failure.  It is a city that brings together people of all classes and upbringings.  This unique city cannot be compared to any in the world because of its inhabitants who embody the full spirit of the American working class by keeping the heart of our government pumping.  Through the Glenn School program, I myself am now fortunate enough to become a part of the capital’s culture through immersion in work, exploration, and living.   If the first few days are any indicator of how my experience in DC will go, I am in for the time of my life as I become a fledgling “Washington Insider.”

 

I got to visit DC several times during my childhood and observed all of the interns walking around Capitol Hill and I have seen numerous protests outside the White House and on the National Mall.  I always wanted to make these political events a part of my everyday life, as a citizen of Washington.  Now here I am: Turning 20 as I intern at a professional security think tank and walk past the Supreme Court as the Justices make their historic Obama health care decision.  I recognize how fortunate I am to be provided this opportunity and its all thanks to the John Glenn School.

The next two months will be full of amazing experiences; through planned events and random DC happenings.  By already receiving a taste of what my internship will be like and attending orientation with Dr. Kolson and Mike McCandlish, I know for a fact that applying to the John Glenn program will be one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.  The advice and knowledge I’ll receive from Dr. Kolson and other experienced DC mentors I meet at excursions will be invaluable to us Glenn Fellows, who just happen to be some of the brightest, most enjoyable kids that Ohio State has to offer.  We may not succeed at everything we do in class or in our jobs, but we will reap the benefits of our DC accomplishments for years to come.  One more thing I foresee DC giving us will be in our interactions with the different walks of life that this nation has to offer. Whether it is the tea party folk camped outside the Supreme Court, the colorful variety of people that inhabit the DC Metro, or the high profile people I meet through at work, Washington will definitely show me many walks of life from around our country.  I look forward to every single day I have left here and reporting about my Washington experiences as I become a young “Washington Insider.”

-Alex Polivka

Muddling Through

            The idea of “muddling through” has been a recurring theme throughout my first week in D.C. Not only is it the title of our first lecture and our first reading assignment, but it has also been my general feeling as I have navigated my first week in the Capitol city.

*Rayburn House Office Building

            As a city D.C. moves at a pace incomparable to any city I have ever lived in and Capitol Hill moves twice as fast as everyone else. It only took about two hours on my first day to realize I would likely be in need of more dress shoes well before the trip was over.

            Prior to Tuesday I had only been in the Capitol building once and never set foot in any of the House offices. The only appropriate word to describe the three house buildings is: colossal. Many times I have felt stuck in a maze certain that I would never find my way out, but nonetheless I have “muddled through”.

            It is appropriate to note that none of this has had any effect on my experience so far or going forward. In fact it has likely made it much more interesting than it was setup to be. I couldn’t be more excited for the next 9 weeks and I hope they don’t fly by as I am sure they will.

-David Cameruca

A Tale of Two Cities

A Tale of Two cities

As I stepped off of the airplane with my Mom, Dad, and Brother, I was immediately greeted with the sights and sounds of Regan International Airport.  The hustle and bustle of congressmen, businesswomen, and any other type of “worker bee” in a suit gave me my first impressions of Washington D.C.  At the time, I was 14 years old, and had no intentions of caring about what any of these people in suits did.  I was in Washington with my family to see the monuments, eat street hot dogs, and gaze at life-size replicas of dinosaurs.  Everyday, we would get up, pack the backpacks with water, maps, and metro cards and head off to the Foggy Bottom Metro Station, Fodor’s travel guide for Washington D.C. in hand.  Yes, we were the stereotypical tourists in Washington D.C.  I loved every second of it.  I loved seeing the monuments and the places where important events happened.  I loved seeing majestic buildings full of powerful people.  I loved the atmosphere of Washington D.C. 

            From my first time in Washington, I knew I loved the city, but never thought I would be working there one day.  After my first week comes to a close working on “The Hill,” I have come to realize that Washington is “A Tale of Two Cities.”  When I begin to think about it, Washington provides two very different experiences for two very different audiences.  These two experiences coincide beautifully, and it astonishes me everyday that the most powerful people in the country are walking amongst the tourists of the world on the same sidewalks.  The people that produce the laws for citizens of this country are eating in the same restaurants as the law-abiding citizens!  Now that I am one of the “worker bees” buzzing around the city in my power suit, I have come to realize that, although the business world and tourist world in Washington are quite separate from each other, they can intermingle as well.  I always catch myself walking outside of the United States Capitol, staring in amazement.  I cannot walk down the street without taking a picture of the setting sun behind the Washington Monument.  Even though I am working very hard, I still admire the two different types of city Washington is. 

             I am so excited to finally be interning in D.C.  It has been a dream of mine for a long time.  The other Fellows here with me are some of the most intriguing, kind, and passionate people I have met in my time at Ohio State.  They are full of life, energy, and friendship.  I already feel that we have a tight friendship, and I cannot wait to see what other adventures we have here in D.C.  Although it has only been a week, Washington D.C. is definitely a “Tale of Two Cities.”

---Drew Calabro

Silent Marble Springs

This posting may seem premature, but I'm attempting to document changes in my perception of D.C. (even subtle ones), so here's to Sunday, March 25, 2012: Day One.

Familiarizing myself with the Capital through five or six trips over the past few years made me feel entitled to an opinion on the city's sites. However, I had only seen D.C. in daylight.

Serving as one of the city's most recognized and visited areas, I found a new appreciation for this (National Mall) tourist hot-spot in the darkness and solitude of a Sunday. Without the mass amounts of people snapping family photos, protestors screaming political frustrations, or the sun beating everyone's skin to a pulp, the monuments transformed from post-cards to emotive products of our country's past.

People have a way of forsaking history; making it seem so far gone, deeming it irrelevant before there is an end in sight. I commit this Millennial generation crime. Yet, last night in the quiet, came an echo of pertinence.

The WWII monument illuminates the loss our country endured, with each start representing thousands of (wo)men lost. It unites each State, allowing all of the columns to stand alone and tall. Yet, it encircles a body of water, which almost diminishes the height of each column.

Federalism, the complicated relationship between state governments and the national government, is as important as ever. Since the birth of our country (briefly mentioned in class today), people have questioned this delicate relationship and wondered about its properties. Today, still, theorists and scholars explore the concepts of allocation, redistribution, and stabilization, and question who should do what at which level of government.

I think seeing the WWII monument in the dark shed light on the intensity of this complicated relationship and demonstrated how it is relevant to our daily lives. We are affected by federal, national, and local policies and the success of our country depends on the efficient, effective, and equitable application of these policies.

While, the power of the National Mall is present in the daytime, it seems ever-important in the nighttime. I recommend to everyone, everywhere, to take a look at something they think they know in a different light. It may surprise you, as it did me.

Melanie Joy Kaufman

A weekend as a Tour Guide

Living in Washington is an amazing experience; however, like any city, one begins exploring again when a friend or relative comes to visit.  One of my best friends, Julia, was able to visit for a weekend, and I was so excited to get to show her around.  Friday evening we started by going to We the Pizza, which is just a few blocks from us and is amazing.  If you don’t trust my judgment, know that Julia is a snobby New-Yorker when it comes to Pizza and even she likes it!  After that, I wanted her to get to know my friends here in D.C. so we hung out in the Congressional for a while, then decided to take a night time monument walk-as is required when you live around the corner from the Supreme Court and the Capitol.  Despite all of the nice weather we had experienced leading up to the weekend, it was freezing, so everyone else ignored Zach and I’s suggestion that we keep going (in spite of our amusing galloping down the mall in the style of the Monty Python) we headed back before we made it all the way to the Washington Monument. 

The next morning we got up to, what I consider an early start on a weekend, and got brunch at a local place.  It was fairly hipster as many places in D.C. are but it was delicious so I won’t complain.   We then went to the National Archives to see the Magna Carta (my previous 2 times visiting it wasn’t there, but 3^rd times a charm!), Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.  We didn’t, unfortunately, have time to wander around the public galleries because we needed to see the J. Edgar Hoover Building before heading to the Capitol where Elliot give us a tour.  So after our stop at one of the ugliest building in D.C., with several pictures being taken (her dream job is with the FBI), we headed to the Capitol with a short stop at the Botanical Gardens, one of my favorite places in D.C.

Elliot then gave us a wonderful, extended tour of the capitol.  He was very good at it.  Having been on three it was interesting to see what each tour guide talked about.  We then grabbed lunch at a Chinese Restaurant (it was 4 so we were the only people there), before heading to GW University.  It was freezing and the wind was so strong, so we hurried to our end goal of the Elliot School, where Julia had applied.  After seeing the school we headed to Georgetown and did some shopping.  Then it seemed like no one else was going to meet us there so we went to grab some food.  We ended up picking up Crepes and they were delicious.  Then Elliot decided that he and our friend Alex would join us to get Ethiopian food, well I can never turn Ethiopian food down, so Julia and I managed to eat that too.  It was all delicious.  Then, exhausted we went home and watched a movie.  

Au Revoir, Shoshanna!

DC, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

I won't make my blog post as sappy as some of the other WAIP Fellows would prefer to, but I can say I am going to miss everyone involved in making this trip to our nation's capital one of the best experiences of my time at Ohio State.  I'll be back in a few months, DC.  Just look at the next few months as "taking a break."

That should about cover it.  Now, something useful for the upcoming class of WAIP Fellows:

At the beginning of the program, Dr. Kolson is going to talk about a far-off project, a simple sounding, fairly fascinating and open ended 15 to 20 page report, due in a not-so-distant ten weeks from the day.

Want to write an amazing policy paper?  Learn from the mistakes (and successes) of Fellows' past.  

*Note: We have not yet received final grades on our paper.  Take caution when utilizing any of my advice.

I will start with the positive.  

A good tip: look for any opportunity to write at your respective internships.  I spent just about every waking moment at my own writing research memos or blog posts, which I was very honored to get to do as a lowly intern.

Take this post, for example.  It combines narrative, research, and data tables; I would suggest learning to tolerate these unwelcome strangers into your writing style -- all will be necessary to incorporate into a stellar policy paper.

Now, a few mistakes (from my perspective).

First: the most important part of the entire policy paper is the preliminary outline.  Without it's guidance, your policy paper will most likely turn into 20 pages of incoherent quotes from CRS reports.  I had to rewrite my own outline to help guide me through the treachery that is late night paper writing.  Which leads to my second point.

Never, never, never consider saving your policy paper for the last week before it is due.

Sure, at Ohio State it is easy to lock yourself in Thompson or SEL for coffee-driven all nighters, avoiding whatever is going on east of High and producing a somewhat legible "research" paper.  The problem: there is always something going on in DC that you would rather be doing (especially during your last week) other than typing a paper at a desk in the Congressional.  

To top it off, Dr. Kolson will require you to present your paper in front of an extremely large and judgmental audience, hurling eye rolls and exasperated gasps at your every misspoken word, hesitant statement, or slight stutter.  To end the torture, Dr. Kolson will most likely subject you to one of the most grueling and self depreciating question and answer sessions regarding your topic, of a severity that has not been seen since the McCarthyism trials (barring that you haven't already ran out of the Hall of States in tears).

Okay, I completely made that last part up. Really.

But enjoy your time here, and make the most of the trip.

To conclude, I will leave you with one of my favorite parting lines ever produced in film:

This strange mixing of minds may be the greatest single service ever performed for humanity! Let's go, but, inconspicuously, through the window. We'll use our Batropes. Our job is finished.

ZR

Last Day Musings

So today was my last day at my internship and what a wonderful day it was.  I was able to get lunch with some of my co-workers at a nice Mexican restaurant.  DC, knowing today was important to me, made it warm enough so we could sit outside and enjoy the pleasant views.  It was wonderful.  Later in the afternoon I got coffee with a fellow intern and we chatted about future plans and adult decisions (yikes), also outside.  I watched the Georgetown basketball game with another co-worker in the afternoon and all in all did very little work.  However, while I may not have been working, I was excited to get to know my co workers better after all, better late than never.  Later in the day I received a very sweet card signed by everyone in the office that contained many “Go Buckeye” statements (this may have been related to bribing them with candy buckeyes from home).  As I walked home, I realized how broadly I was smiling when thinking about my day.  It was truly a wonderful last day filled with my laughs, great food, and good conversation.  I also realized how lucky I was to have had this opportunity to meet such wonderful people and pick their brains about many important issues.  To all you future WAIP fellows out there, you will NOT regret an internship with Human Rights First.  I really can’t advocate for them enough, they are warm people doing inspiring work.

KM

One of my favorites part of D.C. is all the amazing food that can be found here. I have experienced such a plethora of food that is rarely found anywhere else. I have eaten senate bean soup, thank you Nancy Pelosi, in the heart of the Capitol, to Banana Café on Pennsylvania, and $20 per dish Ethiopian in Georgetown.

So for any future students coming to D.C. I will presume to know enough about to culinary arts to offer up my top choices for good eating here in the capital of our great country.

In my modest opinion, brunch is one of the best meals of the day, so we shall focus on that

My top choice for brunch near the Hill would be Union Pub. With an excellent selection, excellent taste, and outstanding presentation, not to mention bottomless momosas…. You really can’t go wrong here! Their Tuscany Omelet, and Eggs Benedict, being a personal favorite

you wish to venture into a bit of foreign brunch taking a trip down to Banana Café is truly worth it. With a mixture of Latin American food and classic American selections this place really offers some great eatery. They also offer a great selection of adult friendly milkshakes… not that I would know of course… 

My First Day

Tomorrow will be my first day as a former intern of Marathon Petroleum Corporation.

For today though, I'm still a John Glenn Fellow and according to the computer system back in Findley, OH, I'm still an employee of the Federal Affairs Office of MPC. At least until the clock strikes midnight.  Then the carriage turns back into a pumpkin.  Or I guess DC turns back into Columbus.  Either way, this quarter has been magical and I'm sad to see my time come to a close.

What have I learned?  What have I gained?  My knowledge about the issues most pressing to the energy industry has vastly expanded.  It's been energizing to learn about policy crafting from the side of a corporation too.  Walking away, I know far more about energy policy then I could have imagined and that's great.  I could see myself following this along into a future career.

What do I wish I would have worked on more?  Networking is such a vital piece to succeeding in DC and I don't feel I improved as much as I could have.  I've learned parts of the process but haven't practiced putting it all together.  So I got someone's business card, how soon do I email them?  How often?  I guess that's something I'll work on when I get back to DC.

 Every Sunday, we WAIP fellows would lament how quick that week had gone and how we had less and less time left in DC.  And now that I'm at the end, all I can do is smile, and say wow.  So much has happened in 10 weeks and yet it feels like so little happened.  Work, class, new friends, new foods, new experiences, new memories all rush by in flash.

Going forward if I've learned nothing else, which of course I have learned something I just said I learned a lot but go with me for now, I've learned a little something about life.

Don't worry about the time that's now behind you, but be excited for the time that's still ahead of you.  You'll only waste what's left on what was.  So keep pressing forward, don't you dare look at that clock, and keep pressing on like the carriage will always be a carriage.  Today isn't my last day, but my first day of a new experience and it'll be a better one because of my time in DC.

-Kristofer Fetterman

It's the final countdown . . . . .

It's our last week in Washington and I couldn't be more pleased with the experience I've had here.  I had an excellent internship that brought me into the world of government work, I made new friends that I will keep in touch with back in Columbus, and have enjoyed hanging out with Mike and Dr. Kolson every Friday morning.  My week started off with a trip to Chevy Chase for dinner at Maggiano's with the OSU alumni.  The dinner was for DC area high school students who had been accepted to Ohio State and are in the process of making their final college choice.  Elliot and I were asked to talk to the students and their parents about our experiences at Ohio State.  For me, there is nothing more enjoyable then telling people how much I love my university.  Often I had to stop myself from talking too much.  And I have to say, the DC-area OSU alumni know how to throw an event.  We were treated to a fantastic three-course meal that concluded with my greatest love, tiramisu.  I also had a chance to network with a few people living in DC that recently graduated from OSU.  Even though it took me away from writing my policy paper, I'm really glad that I went.

Wednesday night, the Glenn fellows met at the Library of Congress for Ohio's Birthday Party!  We were treated to fabulous hors d'oeuvres, an open bar, and a (sadly sub-par) birthday cake.  Most of the Ohio State Representatives were in attendence, along with Senator Brown and Senator Portman.  Thanks to previous knowledge, I knew Senator Brown took Russian in college, so I decided to surprise him by greeting him in Russian.  The highlight of my night was definitely meeting the event's best celebrity,  none other than Jim Tressell!!  Given that I come from a very small Division IV high school, I was blown away when Tressell not only knew my high school, but also the name of our football coach.  That says something about how deeply this man has invested in Ohio football.  A few of us managed to get our picture taken with him:

I'm sitting at my cubicle on my final day of work and I can't believe how long, yet how fast this experience has been.  I had a great day at work, having lunch with Kyrgyz delegates and being surprise with an adorable Kyrgyz card for International Women's Day!  It (roughly) read:
March 8th!
Let your mood lift
Beautiful flowers of spring
And in these moments of light
All dreams come true
It is almost time for my coworkers to treat me to cake, so these will be my final words on the WAIP blog.  Good luck to all of the Glenn fellows and I hope you all achieve your dreams!!




JS

After being on the Hill for a while, I relieve anyone would being to notice that it is truly its own little world. It’s its own culture, stile of living and interacting and even an entirely unique way to walk as a man.

One of the more unique qualities about the world that is Capitol Hill, are the social interactions between interns, Staff Assistants, LCs, LAs, and senior staff members. While everyone is completely open to talk and help the lesser animal on the food chain, there is still a complete sense of “me first”. As one might imagine this creates quite the interesting atmosphere.

            There is also a very clear chain of command regarding who answers to who. While you might have a task or Project with a Fighter dead line that one from a higher up, you will always be advised that it is almost always preferable to answer to whoever is higher regardless of time constraint or anything of the matter.

            While this might make the Hill sound like a very unwelcoming cut throat enviroment, the beauty of it, is that it is not, and the described above is merely just how it all works, no more and no less. 

Supreme Court visit

After class Friday, I finally had the opportunity to visit the Supreme Court.  A visit to the highest court in the country had been on my to-do list from day 1.  I was lucky enough to be joined in my adventure by Dr. Kolson and a few of the other fellows and we had a wonderful time; admittedly maybe too much fun was had in the gift shop when we were mildly reprimanded for using the long pencils as light sabers (also Star Wars seem to be coming quite the theme in my posts…weird). 

Upon entry we were greeted by a security guard whose father, we learned, had attended Ohio State, and was himself, a Buckeyes fan.   We then proceeded upstairs to hear a lecture on the Court’s history and architecture.  

I was most surprised after arriving in DC to learn that the building we currently identify with the Supreme Court was not actually completed until 1935, and proceedings had previously been held in the Capitol building.  It was fellow Ohioan and former President and Chief Justice, William Howard Taft, who successfully advocated for a separate headquarters for the Judiciary.

Walking into the actual courtroom was one of the best moments I have had in DC.  I was especially giddy over the old-timey, extremely uncomfortable looking, wooden chairs.  For some reason these just made my day, and brought idealistic images of Atticus Finch type characters fighting for justice passionately and courageously.   Sitting there during the lecture, I could not help but think about all the historical decisions that have taken place in that courtroom and how those decisions, made privately by just nine individuals, influence our lives every minute of every day.

I also have to add this picture I took with Sandra Day O’Connor’s head bust.  I wrote a research paper on Justice O’Connor for my honors English class in 9^th grade.  It was the first research paper I recall enjoying so much that I actually needed to cut down my content to fit the requirements.  Justice O’Connor has been an inspiration to me ever since.

KM

A birthday in DC

I was lucky enough to have my 22^nd birthday in Washington this year.  To celebrate my birthday my office and most of Washington, D.C. had the day off in my honor…or maybe it was for President’s Day, oh well I will believe it was just for me.  Growing up I have often been fortunate to have my birthday either on or around Presidents day, and this year was no exception.  It was a beautiful weekend, unspoiled by any necessary work or responsibilities….wait, wasn't the rough draft of our policy analysis due on my birthday?  Oh yeah, so I spent most of the weekend working on that.  However, because I have wonderful friends in the other John Glenn Fellows, they would not let me simply work all weekend and treated me to dinner on Sunday night at a wine bar.  The food was delicious, even if the service was sub-par.  At the end they surprised me with a delicious slice of cheese cake, and then went home to spend a little more time relaxing and playing Mariokart before it was back to the grindstone of paper writing.   The following day, after turning in a rough draft of the paper I was determined to have some fun, and once again, my friends did not fail me.  We agreed to meet up in an hour after I had a chance to skype my boyfriend.  At the appointed time there was a knock at my door and 5 of the most wonderful people in the world walked in singing “Happy Birthday” with a freshly baked birthday cake!  It was absolutely delicious.  It was truly a special birthday, and I would like to give a big “Thank You” to the other fellows, you are all wonderful. 

Cathy H

My Quest for a Real Georgia Peach

My internship at the Open World Leadership Center allowed me to take a site visit to Atlanta, GA and observe one of our programs.  We bring delegations from countries in Eurasia, mostly from the former Soviet Union, to participate in ten-day programs in the U.S.  I followed a group of five Ukrainian legislators and their facilitator around to several professional meetings during my time in the Peach State.  Upon arrival at the world's largest airport (in number of people flying through per day), I was picked up by my host family and taken for a "Frozen O," a staple among Georgia Tech college students.  I was later treated to a fantastic homemade dinner at my host family's place.  On the second day of my trip, I went to a meeting with a Georgia State professor and visited the Atlanta City Hall and City Council Chambers.  We had lunch in the Atlanta Underground, a rather sketchy shopping area where I couldn't cling too tight to my purse. To my greatest surprise, I watched the men of the delegation dig into cheesy fries from Johnny Rockets.  During this time I also attempted to have a conversation with them in Russian.  On the next day we visited one of the Atlanta's most affluent suburbs, including a tour of their high school, city hall, and police department.  Here's the delegation before we stepped in to meet with the mayor (right) and our welcome to the high school (left):

Unfortunately (and luckily), I don't have any pictures of myself from the trip.  I do, however, have proof that even though this was a professional exchange, we also had some characters among the group who got excited about the police cruiser:

On the last day I was there (the delegation had several more days), we visited the Georgia State House.  We sat in on a session of both the House and Senate, and we were all able to shake hands with Governor Nathan Deal.  The delegates were welcomed as guests in front of the entire House, and had their picture taken with the Speaker.  Here is the delegation speaking to one of the Congressmen, and also their picture with the governor:

The trip to Atlanta was a great experience for me, and in case you were wondering, I did find a real Georgia peach.  My host had frozen peaches from last year's harvest (not unlike my family freezes Ohio corn for the winter) so I was able to enjoy a real peach, from Georgia, in Georgia.  But besides peaches, I also made friends with the delegates and was able to experience our programming firsthand.  I'm very grateful for the opportunities I've had at the Open World Leadership Center and am sad to leave this week.  Look for my next blog later this week to see how I wrap up my time in Washington.

JS

Giddy ^

            

The other day, an individual made a statement during a late night hallway discussion we were having. Following the topics of foreign policy, contraception, ethics, and schooling, he said “I’m looking forward to seeing where we’ll all be a couple of years from now.” Such a statement got me thinking about my future and what I want to do with my life. It is difficult to discern the future, daunting at the least, especially as an undergraduate with more questions than answers. However, I like to think that my colleagues and I here in DC have a good shot at “making it.”

            

What exactly is “making it?” Is it the magical six figures that we all love to see on a monthly paycheck? To some, success means living the life of limos, fancy dinners, and lounging around all day (Also, don’t get me wrong, that sounds phenomenal and I’m not some pretentious idealist preaching against such a lifestyle). On the other hand though, a general consensus on success, as defined by me and a few of my friends, is incorporating what you love with your work. What I’ve begun to notice through my internship and meeting with endless amounts of young professionals in DC is that we struggle to achieve that balance. It isn’t because of our lack of effort, education, and drive but rather the reality of the times. A college graduate’s first job, as told to me by just about every professional I have met, will almost never be the ideal job. The sooner we accept that, the sooner we can move on to better things.

            

I recently met with a state department representative and asked what advice she could give to a young college student. What I took away didn’t exactly help me chart out a career but instead put things into perspective. Here we are as young adults trying to “make it” in the world. We’ll spend more time worrying about situations twenty years in the future rather than the present. At the end of the day, a career isn’t just a position but also the events that led up to it. Take for example Deputy Secretary of State Philip Gordon, an Ohio University graduate who worked his way through graduate school and various think tank positions to reach his current diplomat position. What made his career wasn’t the title of Deputy Secretary of State but instead the journey that made him qualified (debatable in some circles.)

           

In the coming months, several of my close friends will be graduating. They will attend graduate school, get entry level jobs, join the armed forces, and even wander aimlessly until they stumble upon an opportunity.  I honestly believe that all of them will “make it” because every one of them is headstrong, intelligent, and genuinely good. Hopefully, if they’re reading this, they can appreciate what they have now, in the present, because we will never be able to replicate the value of time spent in youth. 

AK