Semester in D.C. Grants New Understanding of Policy

Like many students, I was reluctant to spend a semester away from the comfort and familiarity of Hawk Hill. However, as an International Relations Major, I was determined to find a way to put my classroom knowledge to work and hoped to gain a clearer understanding of career possibilities in the field of Foreign Affairs. The Washington Center Program, a program for internships and academic seminars in Washington D.C., welcomes students from St. Joe's and all across the country every semester to experience the dynamics of living and working in our nation's capital. This semester I have had the pleasure to intern at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a prominent think-tank and living memorial to our country's 28th president. I've also been taking a course on how Washington D.C. shapes foreign policy, as well as attending weekly seminars on topics varying from human rights to international security.

As an intern at the Wilson Center, I've had the opportunity to research and compile a briefing book on the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement and the Merida Initiative, a cooperative agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Central America to fight drug trafficking and transnational crime. The book was a compilation of country studies, academic papers, and news articles that served as a briefing for the members of Congress that attended the Wilson Center's study trip to El Salvador and Guatemala this April. The Science, Technology, America, and the Global Economy program at the Wilson Center has permitted me to perform extensive research on public-private initiatives to improve K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education in the United States. Also, as a nonpartisan institute of advanced study, the Wilson Center allows interns the opportunity to meet, work alongside of, and converse with a variety of topnotch academics, journalists, and policy professionals. For me, that honor included meetings and discussions with James Reston Jr., David Frost's Watergate Advisor for the famous Frost/Nixon Interviews and Jane Goodall renowned primatologist, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, and UN Messenger of Peace. Most recently, the Wilson Center hosted several prominent journalists and academics to discuss the "The Obama Administration: A Report Card on the First 100 Days." This event allowed for the presentation of an interesting assessment. Obama certainly has a remarkable number of accomplishments in his first 100 days, although the effective scale of these events is contested by different critics and supporters. Some suggest that his actions could be viewed as socialist-leaning, although others disagree. One of the event's presenters suggested that Obama is changing the face of presidential leadership, especially with his use of technology. . As the semester draws to a close, I will miss many aspects of the city: reading a morning paper on the Metro, seeing the cherry blossoms bloom while touring the National Mall, enjoying a Happy Hour with friends, or being inspired by a speaker at the Wilson Center. However, I am glad I took the leap that got me here and am confident that the lessons I have learned will help transform my ambition into a purposeful career. Who knows, maybe D.C. hasn't seen the last of me yet.