A City with Friends and Gifts from All Over the World

in Current Semester, Spring 2017, Student's Blog
May 8th, 2017

by Vicky Liao (Spring 2017)

The only reason I chose to come to this Washington study abroad program was because I got an internship at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). I did not expect life will be interesting here at D.C. outside of my internship because it is such a small city. But it turned out to be one of the best semester I ever had throughout my four years of college in Boston University. All the places I went, events that I have participated in and people I have met made me feel like I belong here. The main reasons are Washington D.C. is a very open minded city and very diverse in culture. The city itself as the capital of United States receive many gifts from U.S. allies from all over the world. People are very welcoming and respectful to other cultures. Every gift received are well represented and immerse into the daily life of the Washingtonians.

One of the class field trips was going to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Kennedy Center). I was impressed by all its design and the stories behind foreign artworks. When the United States decided to build a cultural center in its capital, countries from all over the world sent in their gifts as contributions to the cultural center. Inside the Kennedy Center, there is a Russian Lounge, and a Chinese Lounge. Each lounge is designed to match with the gifts received from Russia and China. Both lounges are for people to rest and network during break times. The Opera House also have beautiful crystal chandelier with matching pendants from Austria. The Millennium Stage provides free performance to everyone in D.C. everyday. In the Kennedy Center, people can enjoy foreign artworks and local performance all in one location.

Another big thing happens in D.C. every year is the Cherry Blossom Festival. In 1912, Japan sent 3,000 Cherry Blossom trees to Washington D.C. as a gift to honor the lasting friendship between the two countries. Since then, Japanese has been sending Cherry Blossom trees to the United States in support of the greatest springtime celebration. I was lucky enough to see these Cherry Blossoms near National Mall and Tidal Basin with my family during my time here at D.C. The day I went was the Kite Festival at the National Mall next to all these Cherry Blossoms. I saw people from different ethnicity, age, and gender all worked together to decorate and fly a kite. The atmosphere was very relaxing, and people were enjoying their time and staying away from politics. I think the Cherry Blossoms have changed the way Americans celebrate spring in D.C.

Beside from receiving great gifts from friends, D.C. also invite friends to connect and learn from each other. Every year, the Office of International Affair at the SEC will organize two events for international delegates to learn and explore effective methods used by the U.S. to regulate the financial market. I was lucky enough to participate in one of the two events in April. I met with delegates from India, Pakistan, China and other countries and engaged in short conversations with them to learn about their countries. The issues and solutions discussed in the conference were broad enough to meet every country’s need. It is good to see all these delegates from all over the world to meet in one place and solve problems that can benefit everyone. Every year the number of attendees continue to increase and the ideas exchange in these conferences continue to keep D.C. connected with all its allies around the world.

From the foreign artworks in the Kennedy Center to the Cherry Blossoms to the International Conferences, D.C. was great at promoting the idea of diverse culture and successfully integrate all these cultures into one city, so no one will feel left out.

Vicky Liao is a senior studying Finance and Information Systems, and interning at the Securities and Exchange Commission.