Even now, after
more than three months in Washington, I’m still a little surprised by how many
people are willing to go out of their way to help you. My supervisor, my
coworkers, and my mentor all effectively threw contacts and helpful advice my
way. I was invited out to eat and to happy hours, extended opportunities and
offers of contact, and even invited to my coworker’s apartment all as part of
an effort to make me feel included in their circles, and I’ve found that they
have a genuine interest in how I’m doing.
I remember being
told that this is a very network-y, quid-pro-quo city, but it’s a little
foreign to me and it still manages to catch me off guard. I know there’s that
“Midwest nice” stereotype, but I’ve always found that it manifests in polite distance
rather than personal and meaningful connection. It took some getting used to, and
obviously still does, but I actually enjoy it.
Christian Lesnek
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