History Has Its Eyes On You

in Fall 2016, Student's Blog
December 23rd, 2016

by Abigail Kass (Fall 2016)

This past semester, I was lucky enough to spend a few months in DC during one of the craziest and most turbulent times in U.S. history. From attending briefings on Capitol Hill, to exploring historic sites throughout the city, to even just grabbing brunch in Adams Morgan, my semester in DC was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

When I came to DC, I was expecting to be completely immersed in politics every second of every day. And while it certainly was a major part of my life, much more so than when I am in Boston or certainly at home in Kentucky, it was not everything. While I did love being able to have vibrant discussions with the other students in the program from all over the political spectrum, I also appreciated being able to just kick back in the common room and talk about sports or classes or anything other than politics sometimes.

But for me, what really made my life in DC unique was being able to work in a Congressional office. While spending 30-45 minutes on the Metro every day to get to work was less than ideal, it was worth it to be able to spend time on Capitol Hill. To me, that was where I saw DC really come to life. There was the history of the Capitol Building, but also a great range of restaurants, food trucks, museums, and shops. People of all backgrounds and political views are always walking around, discussing the issues affecting our nation and world.

The Capitol itself was of course the highlight of my internship. Having that orange Congressional intern badge meant I was able to freely walk around the Capitol Building, something I did daily. I loved knowing that I was walking where some of the most important people in the history of this country have walked. And when I spoke to Congresswoman Slaughter, the Congresswoman I worked for, she said that even after 30 years in Congress, that feeling does not go away. That sense of history was what really made me love DC. And that included seeing things occur that I know will become history.

I was also given the chance to explore my passions, both in class and at work. In my Democracy and Democratization class, we had debates about the merits of the Electoral College and the spread of democracy throughout the world. And at work, I got to go to briefings on electoral integrity and the role of women in emerging democracies. I explored my passion for women’s rights through the internship class and also some of the research I did and briefings I went to for my internship. For me, being in DC means being able to find other people who are passionate about the things you are passionate about. While this is possible in most major cities, it is certainly much easier in DC.

While I do not know where the future will take me, I definitely do not rule out someday returning to DC. No matter your interests or career path, it is likely that you can find what you are looking for in DC. Whether or not I do end up returning, I will always vividly remember my semester here.

 

Abby Kass is a junior studying political science and interned in the office of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-25).