Wednesday, June 7, 2017

The Power of Exploring: On Your Own, With Strangers, or As A Bunch of WAIPers


I think it's safe to say that a characteristic all WAIPers hold is the desire to adventure. This is proven as the majority of us have decided to step outside of our comfort zones in Ohio (or elsewhere that is not Washington, D.C.) and venture to a different city to live here for three months. As a result, there is an unquenchable urge to always try something new while in the city. Here are a few quotes (slight paraphrasing due to memory overload with all of the things I have done thus far) I have heard from fellow WAIPers that prove this analysis:

-“I really want to try to go to every Smithsonian before the end of the summer”

-"I don’t want to buy lunch at work, but I also want to try all of the recommendations my coworkers give me about the area”

-"I don’t want to have a lot of free time throughout this summer”

-“I think I’m getting addict to brunch and I’m not mad about it”

-“It’s hard to maximize my time when there is so much to do”

-The best way to do as much as possible is to split up things geographically so we can hit multiple things at once”

And many more just like that.

So what does that mean for a WAIPer? Is it possible to always be doing something; visiting a new museum, trying out a new coffee shop, taking the metro to something out of the city, attending every weekend event that rolls through the summer? Unfortunately, the answer is most likely no; money is limited, time is not infinite, and sleep is inevitable (trust me, sleep will become your most sacred resource). That being said, here is a WAIPer’s cheat sheet to exploring this wonderfully historic, inclusive, entertaining, and captivating city:
1.    Plan ahead: Everything that you do has value to it, even walking to work. If there is a nearby museum or coffee shop to a study tour or your work, use that geographic placement to your advantage.

2.    Let others plan for you: Many of times, there will be cool things you haven’t heard about, but another coworker or WAIPer has. Let the people around you know that you are always looking out for new things to do, and you get the best Intel about what to do with your weekends. Explore with these relative strangers, it can be rewarding.

      3.    Do the free stuff: (see: unpaid intern)

      4.    Spend the money on the things you enjoy: I know, “things you enjoy” is so vague, but there comes a point to prioritizing what you want vs what sounds cool (i.e.- Chipotle might sound convenient and good in the moment, but a cinnamon roll bigger than your face from Ted’s Bulletin will certainly leave a longer effect, so save the money for the good stuff)
(Not the cinnamon roll but a breakfast from Ted's Bulletin, aka master of brunch)

5.    WAIPers can move in packs: Group rates exist for everything and hanging out with other Buckeyes in the city is never a bad thing, so be a “yes” WAIPer whenever there is a group activity proposed by another WAIPer.

      6.    Adventure by yourself: Walk the Mall. Take the Metro across the city. Introduce yourself to the baristas at the coffee shop. Find a YOU spot. Do things spontaneously after work or in between a study tour.

      Being in the city means a lot of things to WAIPers; future employment, an opportunity to learn first person about public policy, a chess game of networking opportunities, and so much more. But we mustn’t forget what is available for us to do in this amazing city, and the power of exploring it can be just as rewarding as the rest.

By: Teresa Cardenas
WAIP Summer 2017

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