Alexander Nguyen
Management Information Systems senior
It was a night when the winter chill was still tracing the corners of the buildings and the summer humidity had just started collapsing on the sidewalks. A night that seemed to be caught in between two distinctive memories somewhere between Massachusetts Avenue and that Krispy Kreme we would always frequent.
Dupont. Where that fountain I always complained about finally started working and where ducks suddenly appeared. I remember asking you if this meant it was summer but I think we both knew that I was asking if this was the end.
We sat in Emissary, my head against the cold exposed brickwork and on the table, an afterthought tea candle. The light from the street lamp stretched the shape of the nearby window across my hands and thoughts flickered in and out with the candle. It’s only been three months. Three months is six percent of four years. Six percent of college. But why could I only think of six percent when I looked at you?
I warned myself but it happened anyways. I didn’t know that a single night that hung inconspicuously between my large winter coat and summer shorts would be so hard to say goodbye to. I didn’t know that a single night is what made me realized how much I was going to miss D.C. And just as I began to lift my head from the brick wall, just as I was about to say all of this, the tea candle started to smoke and the flame went out.
Thank you for everything D.C. I couldn’t forget you even if I wanted to.
Akshay Soman
Finance Senior
My final month of living in Washington, D.C. was an incredible finale to an outstanding chapter in my life. I wrapped up my internship experience with the SEC and received great performance reviews and was honored at a small office party to conclude my time. Looking back, I enjoyed the work I did for the agency and the many connections I made that will surely benefit my future endeavors in law school and beyond.
In my free time, I visited my nearby hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was a great experience to go back to where my family started their American dream. I bonded with my cousins and met my baby niece for the first time. When I got back to D.C., I went to visit a few more museums including the Sackler Gallery. I have been interested in Asian culture since I was a child so viewing the Asian art exhibits at the Sackler was a very enriching experience.
All in all, D.C. has been a transformative experience. I have grown more independent and have reinforced an already strong work ethic in my internship that will go a long way for me in law school. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and will always consider D.C. as a home away from home as it has a special place in my heart.
Rahni “Reece” Stewart
Marketing sophomore
So my last month in D.C. was quite a bit of fun. It was finally warm enough to enjoy the city. I spent quite a bit of my time hanging out with a friend from work as we explored the city together.
For the most part, my last month was filled with me trying to squeeze every experience I could out of the city. This included when my mom came to visit on my last weekend in D.C. We had a lot of fun. I took her to see the first ladies exhibit at the Museum of American history, the Museum of African American History and Culture, Library of Congress, and a lot more.
All in all, I really enjoyed myself.
Kobe Terrier
Management senior
The past four months have been an amazing experience! I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend my final semester of my undergraduate career in Washington, D.C.!
The Bauer in D.C. Fellowship program is a fantastic experience that I would highly recommend to all Bauer students!
Although I am sad to be leaving D.C., I am excited to be back at the University of Houston to graduate! I am forever grateful to Bauer for the opportunity to live and intern in Washington, D.C.!
Hina Uddin
Finance Senior
I cannot believe that the 2019 Bauer in D.C. program has come to an end.
In the last four months, I have had the privilege of representing the Bauer College of Business in one of the most exciting cities in the world. I cannot be sadder that my time in D.C. has come to an end this semester. As an intern at the U.S. Department of State, I was able to engage in dynamic and interesting work every day. As I wrote my thank you cards, and said goodbye to my office, I conveyed my deep gratitude to my colleagues at the State Department for their consistent support.
In my last few days in the city, I picnicked on the National Mall, visited a few museums, and bid adieu to the last remaining cherry blossoms. I also had the opportunity to take a quick bus ride up to New York City, where I took in the sights and sounds of the city that never sleeps- although after experiencing NYC, I was grateful to return to a manageable and much less rowdy D.C. D.C. became comfortable to me in the last few weeks. I felt like I finally got used to my daily commute and my free weekends. Yet, just as the sun started shining and the temperature went upwards of 80 degrees, it was time to pack my bags and head home.
D.C. has taught me so many things in such a short amount of time. I have learned to be more inquisitive and engaged. I have learned to fill my free time with outings and events, and to constantly learn, even outside of the classroom. Most importantly, I have learned to be confident in myself; in my ability to take on difficult circumstances and to adapt to new surroundings, in my ability to learn quickly and think on the spot, and also in my ability to seek out fun and excitement, no matter the location. I know I will be back in D.C. some time in my life, so for now, I am not saying goodbye to the District, but simply, “see ya later” to a friend I know I will meet again, soon.
