We asked the Bauer in D.C. students, “Hey, how is your first month in D.C. going and have you seen any snow?” These are their unedited stories.
When D.C. gives you a blizzard, find a broken trash can lid
By Daniel Ortiz
See more photos submitted by Daniel Ortiz during his first month as a Bauer in D.C. participant.
One has much time for reflection when trapped inside during a 40 mph blizzard-caused state of emergency. This first month in Washington has been nothing like I expected, but has meant that much more.
Off to a rocky start, I hit the ground sprinting when my plane landed in D.C. trying to find a job as soon as possible. After weeks of rejection emails in Houston and now in the nation’s capital, I was starting to get frantic. I began making calls around the middlemen recruiters until finally someone gave me a chance more than a week after I was settled in.
It’s definitely been an adjustment moving across the country, gaining a roommate, and starting a new job, but this cluster of events is just a shadow to what life may be after graduation. Growing pains are a sign of just that, growing.
So far, my favorite memory would have to be venturing out to Capitol Hill during a blizzard to be surprised by hundreds of people who had the same crazy idea of walking in frostbite temperatures as me and Josh did. What usually would be a 20-minute trek ended up taking 40 minutes to arrive from our apartment to Capitol Hill. To my surprise, about 40 people young and old were sledding down in front of the capitol as if there wasn’t casually 25 inches of snow. I found a broken trash can lid and sled down the hill when it hit me, I’m in Washington D.C.
Congressional intern enjoys opportunity of a lifetime
By Himy Beyene
See more photos submitted by Himy Beyene during her first month as a Bauer in D.C. participant.
As expected, the first week of work, and even being in the city, was nerve racking.
On the first day of work at Congressman Carson’s office, I met him! As nervous as I was, the lovely staffers there made me feel at ease and made me feel welcome. I was one of two interns that would be there this semester, but the other intern wouldn’t be coming in until the following week, so I was the only newbie for now.
One of the staffers working there is actually a Bauer alum. The workload is not bad at all, but I find myself deprived of the necessary training to get it done. However, as a Bauer student, I push myself to find ways to get my work done without requiring any handholding, which is one of their pet peeves.
Where dreams become reality, but also missing Tex-Mex
By Joshua Ferguson
See more photos submitted by Joshua Ferguson during his first month as a Bauer in D.C. participant.
3 weeks, 21 days, 504 hours, 30,240 minutes are just a few ways that I can measure the amount of time I have spent in Washington D.C, thus far, and I have wasted little time getting accustomed to the convenience of having an extensive public transportation system that allows me to explore the capital.
In under a month, I have sat on the steps of justice, stood where Martin Luther King Jr. breathed the dreams of a generation into reality, and woken up to an internship where I serve our nation’s leaders every day. The amount of power, history and change happening in the small radius of our nation’s capital is a new revelation on a daily basis, but there still remains the moments of nostalgia that remind you of home, like seeing the faces of the family and friends you love and yearn for in that of a complete stranger, or turning 22 years old in a new city and riding a train into Virginia to go to the only Chuy’s around just because you realized just how vital Tex-Mex cuisine is to your overall satisfaction.
In spite of having Houston on my heart at times, I am still having adventures that are advantageous to the time that I have here, like enjoying an early foggy morning hike up a hill to visit the National Cathedral, where for three hours my eyes were treated to the most beautiful architecture I have ever seen in my life.
Adapting well to chilly air and walking everywhere
By Maycie George
See more photos submitted by Maycie George during her first month as a Bauer in D.C. participant.
Only being here for one month, D.C. has already welcomed me with its chilly air and a blizzard. And here I thought only Texas did it big.
Despite its “warm” welcome, I am quickly adapting to the city. Although I hopped on the wrong train, lost a glove and frantically jumped off at the wrong stop my first week, I am adapting well (can’t you tell). The transition from Houston’s car culture to D.C.’s custom of walking has been brutal. I secretly admit, however, that I am enjoying it. As the cold air whips through my hair on my way to work, I am left with my thoughts. This small piece of tranquility is what I look forward to in the mornings. It is also what I will miss most when I leave.
I would be lying if I said I did not miss the southern accent of “y’all” or Texas’ infamous Tex-Mex, because I do! It is surprising how you can miss the little things, but D.C. is slowly gaining a piece of my heart. I intend to have many snowball fights, have many adventures, but most of all, enjoy every moment. Until next time…
Opening endless doors as snowstorm Jonas allows
By Rebecca Negri
See photos submitted by Rebecca Negri, center, during her first month as a Bauer in D.C. participant.
So it’s been three weeks in a new city, working a new job. As I am writing this, the federal government announced that it will be closed for a third workday following snowstorm Jonas, which means no work for myself or any of my roommates. I know, sounds great, but we’re starting to get bored.
I’d be lying if I said I’m totally alright being here. I miss my family, I miss my friends, I miss my school and I miss my home. I’m terrified that something will happen here, and I won’t have any help or support, and terrified that something will happen at home that I won’t be able to fix. Between the stress of money and the anxiety of work and school, I haven’t been able to relax since coming to D.C.
And it’s okay. I am living three blocks from our nation’s capital. I am working with a company that will open endless doors for my future. My roommates are awesome, and we have so many plans. I’ve finally been able to try out those recipes on Facebook I’ve been dying to do. There is an H&M 10 minutes away.
It’s been rough, but I’ll get through it. This is the opportunity of a lifetime; to do anything but seize the day would be a waste.