As a sleep-deprived college student, only the most incredible of circumstances would prompt me to give up precious sleep over the summer. But the term "incredible" hardly does justice to the 10-week experience I had. as part of the University Engineering School's Science and Technology Policy Internship Program -- a summer program associated with a similar endeavor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The University's program is unique not just about the internship, it's also about living in the very center of our nation's capitol with a group of U.Va. and MIT students eager to explore the city, develop friendships and learn as much as possible.
An integral part of that learning experience is, of course, the internship itself. I spent the summer at the Center for Science, Technology, and Congress at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the publisher of Science magazine.
Having spoken with some of the CSTC staff, I knew coming in that my research over the summer would focus on international human embryonic stem cell policy. What I did not know is that I would have the opportunity to attend a slew of events ranging from congressional hearings to Nobel Prize winner speeches, interview people from all across the globe and get to know an amazing group of people within CSTC and more broadly, within AAAS.
The CSTC staff quickly became my friends and confidantes, and I also found an incredible set of friends among the other interns on my floor. We had lunch together nearly every day and talked about topics from movies to our varied experiences at our respective colleges.
While different backgrounds allowed those of us at the same workplace to share interesting stories, different workplaces allowed those of us with the same backgrounds to share interesting stories.
Our workplaces ranged from Senator Clinton's office, to a small non-governmental organization to the National Science Foundation office in Paris, France -- we had drastically different work experiences and learned so much just by sharing these experiences with each other.
We also learned a lot through the Speaker Series, through which we heard from President Bush's science advisor and the director of the National Science Foundation.
The experience was incredible. As one of the MIT students commented while we walked out of the NSF building, how many people can say they saw the director of the NSF struggle with the blinds in his room?
After work and speaker events, our days did not end. We were quick to realize that a 9 to 5 job meant just that -- after 5 p.m. the day was yours, and we took full advantage of that by exploring D.C. Along with the MIT students, we went to the Folklife Festival, walked through the zoo, watched the fireworks go off on July 4th and more. By the end of the summer, we knew the city so well that we had gone from asking for directions to giving directions.
Before we knew it, the internship came to a close. The last week was a whirlwind of experiences, culminating with our presentations in the House Science Committee hearing room and dinner with mentors and friends. As I watched the slideshow of the summer's pictures, I was consumed by the bittersweet feeling that marks the closing of a chapter.
On our last night in D.C, as our group of nearly 30 University and MIT students headed out to dinner, I was struck by how close we had all become in the weeks we had spent together. As much as we dreaded the goodbyes that would come the day after, we were determined to enjoy our last night as roommates, as D.C natives and as interns.
I was incredibly sad that this dinner marked the end of a phenomenal 10 weeks. But I was incredibly happy for much more: I had found an amazing new work experience, a wonderful set of friends and a slew of career options I had never before considered. I also had a lot to look forward to: hanging out with these 11 people during the course of the next school year, visiting the MIT interns in Boston, and visiting next summer's interns. Most of all, I was happy to think that I could always look back upon this summer's experiences, and I have no doubt that the memories will be both a great help and a great comfort as I begin the next chapter of my life.
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 4 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 6 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
