Or Ashkenazi
How were your first two months of the semester in Washington? How does it compare to the first few weeks or months of a semester on campus?
By Or Ashkenazi
Fall 2014
My first two months in Washington D.C. were definitely action packed. Although I didn’t leave the country for my “abroad” experience, the feeling was very similar – there was so much to see and so many places to explore. I’ve been to D.C. in the past, but it’s different seeing it independently, without your family or friends. Washington, as a city, is so different culturally from Boston. The people are different, the layout out of the city is different, and most importantly, the metro system is different (and it’s super embarrassing when you accidentally call it “the T”… even two months into the semester). Besides the new and temporary location, my routine is completely different. I work every morning and take classes every night. I’m way busier than I ever was on campus. I had maintained a job while going to school in Boston… but not like this, not at this pace.
Being so busy has been really exciting and exhausting. I intern at the Department of Commerce and the experience has been educational and one where I am able to professionally develop over time. I intern in the International Trade Administration and have been learning a lot about the way the U.S. conducts international trade and exports its goods and services. Working has supplemented my understanding of basic economics I’ve learned on campus, and has allowed me to apply it to a real working environment. I’ve met some incredible people who come into meetings for my department, ranging from major U.S. company CEOs, to former ambassadors, to military officials. Being in the nation’s capital has really made me think about what I want to pursue professionally after graduation, and to test if a place like D.C. is for me. It’s been more of a juggling act than just being a student at BU. Here, it’s work, school, and a lot of play to make the most of our time here. It’s a great experience so far!
The U.S. Deptartment of Commerce
Or Ashkenazi is a senior majoring in Economics and is interning this fall at the U.S. Dept. of Commerce
