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It’s been two of those weeks. Exhausting, rewarding,
sentimental, and exciting all at the same time. There’s something about going
to work each day and only having a vague idea of what you may be doing, that is
so exciting.
First, a throwback to something I forgot to mention. I’m
really excited to announce that I was chosen to participate in the Ford Global
Scholars Program at the Washington Center this fall. This means I’ll spend my
Mondays meeting with International Experts, practicing for the Model United
Nations convention in October, and taking a class. I also get to work with 23
other students from 7 different countries so I think it will be really cool to
hear everyone’s perspective.
On Monday, I went to the state department for a roundtable
discussion on human trafficking with interns from over 100 organizations. We
heard from a lawyer, ambassador, and FBI agent. Then, on Wednesday I got to go
to ONE (a human rights lobbying organization) where I happened to sit next to
the ambassador of Burkina Faso and I got to speak French with him. I am in the
process of writing a memo on human trafficking because of the huge trafficking
bust (the biggest ever) that happened last week.
I’ll admit, I started this blog post about two weeks ago. I
was stopped in my tracks by someone insulting me because I didn’t have hair.
Without going into a long story that has the potential to make your blood boil,
It’s handled, I took it with a grain of salt and my hope is that the culprits
will never dehumanize anyone again. You just have to realize some people are
shallow and be the bigger person.
And on that note, I think the most influential thing that
happened in my entire time in the Congress (and that’s saying a lot) took place
this past Tuesday. My writing cannot give this event a portion of the justice
and respect it deserves. That being said, I can at least try to describe it. 13
years ago, Senator Landrieu (I am now disclosing who I work for) founded an
organization called the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute. As part
of the program former foster youth (who are all college or older) are assigned
internships with congressmen and committees. Earlier in the summer, I met
someone who was in this program. However, I didn’t know it at the time. He told me I should come to the briefing at the
end of July and basically I forgot about that. Everyone should definitely check out
ccainstitute.org to learn more.
Fast forward to this past Tuesday, my boss asked me to go to this congressional
briefing on adoption, so I gladly went. I learned that all of the foster youth
(16 youth) 2 of whom worked in my office all wrote policy changes in regards to
adoption and the system. The whole time unlike any other briefing I have ever
attended. I reconnected with my friend from the beginning of the summer and
ended up hanging out with the foster youth and learning about their lives. Without
divulging too much of their personal lives, they are some of the most
inspirational people I have ever met. They, especially one in particular embody
the face of human resilience and empowerment. Some of them once had lives not
too different from my own but instead that took a terrible turn. And as Senator Landrieu said, “When are you
ever too old for a family? When you get married, when you graduate from college
and no one is there, when you have grandkids? Never. “In the short time I hung out with them I
learned what it means to be grateful, appreciate life and live every day.
Having gone to private school my entire life and living in a world of many
surface relationships, it’s refreshing to have situations like this help put
your life in perspective. So as I head home and to Texas for the next three
weeks I have a few finishing thoughts and reflections (and will probably think
of more later)
I have grown in independence, thought, and compassion this
summer. I have made mistakes and seen direct consequences. I have been impacted
more by people I’ve known for a few days than I have by some people I have
known for years. Lifelong friendships have been established. I have owned,
explored, and experienced a city that 73 days ago was largely foreign to me. I
have loved, lost, let go, and learned more than any other experience in my
entire life. I can say without a doubt I
have a clearer vision of what direction I want my life to head and appreciate
the opinions of those that matter not societal pressures.
I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has made this
experience possible. From the professors who wrote me recs to God who put
Alopecia and Senator Landrieu in my life, words will never be able to express
my appreciation for the most incredible summer of my life.
On that note, 23 days until I embark on Fall in DC, but who’s
counting?
