Arrival
Arriving in Washington, DC I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was excited to finally see the United States capital. Being from the state of Washington and always having to clarify that I am not from Washington (DC), I have been eager to finally see the place we’re constantly mistaken for. Having travel experience helped me ease into DC’s public transportation but even with that I have struggled to keep up because buses are not the most reliable and departure times given are never accurate. My classmates and I automatically clicked when we met, and they have made these first 3 days of being here so enjoyable with plenty of experiences already from attending the pride festival, to using metro buses, and trying new foods.
Meeting the NMSHSA team was amazing, everyone was incredibly welcoming and made us feel 100% supported the moment we arrived. I have been quite busy since the day we arrived and have balanced my resume building, our preparation for the Public Policy Forum and then starting with my work placement in a few days. It's been a lot already, but DC keeps me constantly entertained and going because it’s such a fast-paced environment. One of things I have had a hard time adjusting to is the style here, just when I think I dressed professionally, the person next to me is dressed wayyy nicer. I have realized that this may be connected to imposter syndrome and feeling out of place since I’ve never dressed like this before, doing so for the time has made me get out of my comfort zone.
I’m hoping that I will create amazing relationships and build a community with people in DC during my short stay. In a couple days I will start at my work placement, and I am extremely excited to be placed at the Center for Law and Social Policy for these next few weeks to learn and grow professionally. This is just the beginning and I have already done so much and cannot imagine what else is in store for me. Being involved with NMSHSA has truly opened opportunities for me and I am extremely thankful.