Working in Washington, D.C. has always been a dream of mine. I just never thought it would happen so soon. As a self-proclaimed political junkie, my experience in the city has been nothing short of eventful. This fall, I’m interning in the press office of Senator Sherrod Brown, a Democrat from Ohio. As a native Ohioan, I am thrilled to be spending my semester working alongside Senator Brown and his staff.
When applying for internships for the fall, I had every intention of working somewhere like NPR or CNN. My goal has always been to work as a political reporter so these internships seemed like the best fit. However, when the opportunity came to work on the Hill, I couldn’t pass it up. This internship has definitely made me reconsider my options for the future. But, one thing I know for sure is that I plan on coming back to Washington immediately after I graduate.
The first few weeks of my internship were exciting but chaotic. I walked in on my first day quickly to learn that Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh was testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee just a few floors below the office. The Hart Senate building was bustling with reporters, protestors, and congressional staff. With the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford following weeks after, the atmosphere on Capitol Hill was tense. As a spectator, it was interesting to witness the hyper-partisanship first hand.
While D.C. is very much a politically-centered place, the city has so much more to offer. You can often find me on my weekends perusing the vendors at Eastern Market or studying in the National Portrait Gallery Kogod Courtyard. But, one of my most favorite places for shopping, food, and exploring in general is Georgetown. The neighborhood has an old timey, English feel to it. The streets are cobble stoned and the buildings are lined close together. It’s a really picturesque place with tons to do! My favorite place to visit in Georgetown is Laduree. It’s a vibrant French pastry shop that is infamous for it’s macarons.
My time in Washington has been an incredible experience so far and I’m sad that the semester is quickly coming to its end. I’ve met some really great people here and I can’t wait to come back soon!