This semester I made the exciting and terrifying choice to live in Washington, D.C. for a semester by doing an academic internship program. This is an amazing opportunity that I am incredibly lucky to have, and I’m looking forward to all the work that I’ll be doing. The terrifying part is being in the heart of a city when I grew up in Vermont, and go to school in New Hampshire. Let me clarify that I am not afraid of the city, but rather the difference in lifestyle is highly stressful when also trying to adjust to a brand new job. Some of the worries I had have already made me laugh, and other things that I never considered hit me rather hard.
The major difference for me was transportation. Obviously there is no widespread public transit in Vermont or New Hampshire like there is in a big city. We are deprived of a subway system, but we do have mountains! The D.C. metro is simple to navigate, and I was assured of that so many times, but the very first time I had to ride I sat as still as a statue with no music playing because I was petrified I was going to miss my stop. By the end of the first week I felt like I had been doing it forever, but my fear was very real. Something I found helpful was to take slow down for just a second and clearly read the signs that are posted because they haven’t misguided me yet. Without being in the way, it’s always better to give yourself a second to reset and be sure of yourself, especially when you’re doing something brand new for the first time.
One thing I didn’t expect about living in a city, but I really enjoy, is that everyone wears headphones all the time. One of my roommates hates this, but I find a lot of comfort in having the option to engage. Also, being able to constantly listen to music makes for great playlist building. Being able to walk anywhere in the city without always experiencing the noise of a city helps a great deal with my anxiety. I feel a lot better knowing that I don’t hear a lot of things that are yelled my way.
For all you Walmart-goers out there, myself included, you’ll be shocked to discover that the Walmart near me is nothing like a southern New Hampshire Walmart. It is partially underground, and there are entire fleets of security lining the entrances. Most of every aisle has all the product encased in locked displays with the employees ready nearby to get it for you. I understand why it’s set up this way, but I was still genuinely shocked by how intense the difference was. I’m used to going to Walmart for pretty much everything because it’s been my only option for so long, but it’s never been such an intense process.
On a similar note, grocery shopping has been my favorite activity so far. As much as my bank account despises it, planning out meals and then preparing them with food I bought for myself gives me a lot of joy. I’m looking forward to refining my cooking skills and learning new ways to budget for and enjoy food. Living on campus means I am lucky enough to have a dining plan, but it also means I live somewhere without a fully stocked kitchen, and don’t really have the option to cook for myself. My apartment in D.C. has given me a lot of freedom with that.
As the semester continues I know that I will face new challenges and I will find more things to love. I miss the New Hampshire mountains a great deal, but I am growing to love the business that comes with being in the heart of a city.