while and it wasn’t until i asked for help from o...anabella – week 6 this week was a great...
TRANSCRIPT
Anabella Flores
Week 1
I found myself lost in the airport. I was only able to
contact our coordinator, Patrick for a brief moment
before my phone died and I thought I had left my
charger at home. I walked around the airport for a
while and it wasn’t until I asked for help from one of
the security guards, that I found my way to the
others. Once settled into our rooms, we all went out
to dinner that night and I was able to get to know a
little bit about each one of the other interns. We
explored the city for a little while and we were
shown our worksites. On my first day of work, we
all boarded the train and everyone said goodbye and
I felt like one of those kids who had had been
dropped off on their first day of school by their
parents. One day, the other students had finished their
training soon and had taken off home, I asked Patrick
not to come back for me, that I would take the train on
my own and when he agreed, I felt like a baby chicken
being left loose and I was scared that I would get lost,
but I felt the need to take the train on my own. With
the help of a few kind strangers, I made it back to my
dorm safely.
Today my roommate and I decided to go food shopping. We decided to wing it and got on the
wrong metro and ended up on the wrong side of town a few blocks from Maryland. We ended up
waiting for a bus that doesn't run on Sundays and then walking in 95 degree weather and being
the smart person I am I decided to wear long sleeves and jeans (I know, I know). After half an
hour of walking, we made it to our destination. Once we were done shopping, we were greeted
with a rainstorm along with thunder/ lightning and everything! Our bag broke and we had to fit
the food in my backpack and she carried the rest. By the time we made it back to our dorm the
storm had escalated and we were soaked! The funny and awesome thing about this is that it was
a good day. We met some really nice people who helped us and I captured this picture before we
realized we were lost. Above all, it was a great first week in my new home.
Anabella – Week Three
My third week went by too fast. Interning
in Capitol Hill has provided a closer look
on national and global issues. Interns are
given the opportunity to attend meetings
regarding a topic they find interesting.
For example, this week I was able to
attend a briefing regarding the
Israeli/Palestinian conflict and the two
state solution. I find this resource great because
I’m able to hear different experts analyze the
situation which helps me understand the topic
more. Being in DC has allowed me to experience
firsthand the news and events that go on to affect
the nation. I am able to witness others work on
policies and new laws with the hopes of making a
difference.
Anabella Flores
Journal 4
Week four of my stay in DC was a week of
reflection. Congress was in recess so work was
slower which allowed me to get to know the
staffers and my coworkers better. Throughout
the week I was constantly asked: “Do you have
any questions? “Every time I was asked this
my mind went blank and I couldn’t come up
with any! Today, while sitting in the metro on
my way to Arlington I reflected back to the
past four weeks and realized that I haven’t
asked as many questions as I should. I’ve come
to learn a lot but I feel like I’m still not asking
enough questions. I started to reflect on what I
really want out of this internship. What do I
want to take back home with me? I want to be
able to go home and not only share the crazy
stories and great experiences but also be able
to say that I helped in some small way make a
difference in my community. This week I’ve
challenged myself to really get out of my
comfort zone, ask for more work, more
questions, and we’ll see the results next
week!*Although I was exhausted at the end of
the day, I challenged myself to visit/explore
different places a day However, the weather
did not cooperate and I did the best I could. I
was able to explore The MLK Memorial, the
Moon Gate Garden, the Arlington Cemetery,
and The Smithsonian National Zoological
Park.
Anabella Flores
Journal 4
Anabella Flores
Journal 5
Last week I had challenged myself to ask more questions
and ask for more work. On Monday when I arrived to
work I had that thought in the back of my mind when
someone came by and asked me if I wanted a project, I
automatically jumped and said yes! I was so glad and
when more staffers asked if I wanted a project I said yes.
Because I chose to accept the projects, I was introduced
to different issues I didn’t know about. The projects kept
me busy and because of that I
felt very accomplished. As my
time in DC is approaching to
an end, I’m realizing that I’m
really going to miss this city.
Anabella Flores
Journal 5
**This week, I was able to explore: The American Indian
Museum, the African Art museum, The Hishhorn
Museum and Sculpture Garden, the Freer Gallery of Art
Museum, United States Botanic Garden, Washington
Monument, National World War 2 Memorial and we
were so tired we just walked past the Lincoln
Memorial**
Anabella – Week 6
This week was a great week! Work was slow this
but it went by so fast! The annual Director’s
meeting was held in DC and I was able to attend the
workshops and help out with the presentations. I
was also able to meet other Directors from across
the U.S. and I thought that was really neat. I was
able to see my Director and tagged along on the
Capitol Hill visits. During the visit, I got to go into my
office and have a meeting with one of the Legislative
Assistants I work with and advocate for the CAMP
program. On the last day of the Director’s meeting,
all of the current interns and some of the old, went out for dinner with the Patrick and
the rest of the directors. After seeing my Director, I’ve realized how close home seems
and I’m starting to count down the days until I get to see all my wonderful friends and
Family. This week, I was able to go to the Holocaust Museum where I spent the entire
day to make sure I didn't miss a thing. I also went to the Air and Space Museum, the
National History Museum, and I took a tour of the Washington Monument.
Anabella Week #7
This week by far was eventful and very exciting. We were able to get a tour of the White
House and also meet with Roberto Rodriguez, Special Assistant to the President for
Education Policy and Julie Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the White House Office of
Public Engagement. At the meeting, the other interns and I were able to share our
stories with them and say what our future plans consist of. The interns bid our farewells
to Irene and her team, and that's when I realized that our days here in D.C are counted.
Thank you Irene for working with us!
We were also able to go to New York for the weekend and explored as much as we
could. We were lost most of the time but it was a great bonding experience. I learned so
much about my roommates and we also ate some delicious food! We visited Wall
Street...well walked around Wall Street, took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty, but we
didn't actually visit the statue. All of us went into the 911 Memorial Museum and
afterwards visited the new World Trade Center where the view was splendid! We hiked
to the Brooklyn Bridge but not before we explored Chinatown and enjoyed a little bit of
Central Park. All in all, New York was a great experience!
As my last week approaches, I'm starting to think about how far I have come. When I
first started my internship at Senator Merkley's office, I had no clue about what I was
supposed to be doing. I didn't know the first thing about politics. Well maybe just a little
but not enough. I've come to learn what an amazing opportunity this is! I got to travel
and learn new things, and never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine working for a
senator. The thought of sitting in an office, doing policy research, running to get the
signature of other representatives, reading & answering constituent mail, and living in
Washington D.C never crossed my mind. I'm just feeling so grateful for this opportunity.
Anabella – Week #8
This week I wrapped up projects from last week and focused on finishing up my
responsibilities. My worksite supervisor, had me look over my goals and reflect on
whether I achieved them or not. They included asking for work, asking questions, asking
for feedback, networking with other interns, and having several different informational
interviews. I attended a luncheon with Maria Echaveste, the former Deputy Chief of staff
of President Clinton and cofounder of NVG,LLC. Maria shared her migrant background
and her experience of being the first from her family to go to college, I was really
touched because I felt like she was someone who I can relate to. I asked her how she
dealt with the culture shock of being different from her classmates and she shared with
me instances where people tried to put her in a box but she didn’t allow that because
she knew her worth. I also attended the closing ceremony for NMSHSA at Microsoft
Innovation & Policy Center and I was able to witness the accomplishments of my fellow
interns. One of my goals was to have an informational interview with someone from the
Mexican Embassy so I asked around and one of the staff members connected me with
Arlene Alvarez. Arlene works for the Cultural Institute of Mexico, a branch from the
Embassy and she was willing to have coffee with me and answer questions. Arlene also
encouraged me to look into internships with the Department of State and offered to
connect me with someone who could give me more insight on what it’s like to work for
the Embassy. I met with different staffers all who offered to help me and asked me to
keep them updated throughout the school year. Well here it comes, the inevitable
goodbye. Four months ago, I never thought my summer would be spent the way it did. I
had the most beautiful and amazing experience. For the first few weeks, I felt homesick
and I was constantly missing my family but as time progressed, I adapted to this place
and called it my home. I want to thank my Director, Gianluigi Benvenutto who worked
extensively to get me funded and made sure I was well taken care of. To my sisters who
are my heroes for the never ending pep talks and encouragement, my friends from the
Career Center back home who always believed in my abilities and served as my
support system, thank you. To Patrick who was my go to person and who is constantly
checking up on us to see how we’re doing. Thank you to the
Association for the opportunity to be a part of this cohort.