I've been in DC a few days, but I've had very limited access to the internet while at the hotel. Mom and I have been happy tourists for the last few days, and boy are we tired! Lots of walking around and seeing the sites.
It's been nice to be here for a few days because I've been able to figure out the metro system, and I feel very comfortable on it. I know my stops to work and we even ventured out during morning rush hour yesterday to see what my commute will be like. I LOVE the metro! It's so easy to get around, and I love not having to drive.
I move into my apartment tomorrow, and I can't wait to see it. The building is very new, and the summer program was the first to use it (I believe). So it should be pretty sweet! I'll update more there when I have permanent internet access.
-Jen
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Riding The Rails
(This was written a few days ago on the train.)
I’m sitting in the nice, sunny lounge car of the train now, watching endless fields of corn glide by. Traveling by train is incredibly comfortable, but it does take awhile to get your “train legs.” However, the ride is very smooth, and will easily lull me into a deep sleep tonight. The seats are huge, and spread very far apart. I know I’m short, but my feet barely reach to the seat in front of me! And they are very comfortable. We didn’t get a sleeper car, but I suspect Mom and I shall sleep well tonight.
Our train has a dining car, for formal dinners, and a café car. The café car sells snacks, food, and beverages (including the eco-friendly Green Mountain Coffee-YUM!). It also has seats facing the windows on the upper level, which are really comfy. There are booths there as well. The best part of the café car is that there are observations windows that stretch up onto the ceiling. It’s a pretty sweet place to hang out, although finding a seat took awhile!
I honestly don’t know if I can handle air travel again. Trains take awhile, but it is so comfortable and stress-free. And the people are nice, which is a big plus. I know for sure that I am taking the train home in December. It’s so peaceful!
However, if you’ve never been on a train before- be warned! When an oncoming train passes on the track next to you (especially if you have a window seat), it’s a little frightening. Before Mom and I were out of Ottumwa we nearly died of fright when a freight train zoomed past us! Another lesson learned…
Jen
I’m sitting in the nice, sunny lounge car of the train now, watching endless fields of corn glide by. Traveling by train is incredibly comfortable, but it does take awhile to get your “train legs.” However, the ride is very smooth, and will easily lull me into a deep sleep tonight. The seats are huge, and spread very far apart. I know I’m short, but my feet barely reach to the seat in front of me! And they are very comfortable. We didn’t get a sleeper car, but I suspect Mom and I shall sleep well tonight.
Our train has a dining car, for formal dinners, and a café car. The café car sells snacks, food, and beverages (including the eco-friendly Green Mountain Coffee-YUM!). It also has seats facing the windows on the upper level, which are really comfy. There are booths there as well. The best part of the café car is that there are observations windows that stretch up onto the ceiling. It’s a pretty sweet place to hang out, although finding a seat took awhile!
I honestly don’t know if I can handle air travel again. Trains take awhile, but it is so comfortable and stress-free. And the people are nice, which is a big plus. I know for sure that I am taking the train home in December. It’s so peaceful!
However, if you’ve never been on a train before- be warned! When an oncoming train passes on the track next to you (especially if you have a window seat), it’s a little frightening. Before Mom and I were out of Ottumwa we nearly died of fright when a freight train zoomed past us! Another lesson learned…
Jen
Friday, August 27, 2010
T Minus 23 hours
The countdown is almost over, and I'll be leaving for DC tomorrow at about 10 am on the Amtrak. My room is an utter mess, with luggage, clothes, and random stuff strewn around. However, my packing is nearly done. Thank goodness for Space Bags!! Packing the bedding would have been impossible without them!
I'm feeling only excitement now, as my nervousness seems to have disappeared. I can't wait to get there, explore the city with Mom, and get settled in. Oh, and I can't wait for the train ride!
I'm feeling only excitement now, as my nervousness seems to have disappeared. I can't wait to get there, explore the city with Mom, and get settled in. Oh, and I can't wait for the train ride!
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Ford Global Scholar Program
I forgot to share some great information in my last post! I found out a few weeks ago that I was accepted into an amazing program through The Washington Center. Each fall, 12 US students and 12 international students are accepted into the Ford Global Scholar Program. And I was one of the 12! As part of the program, I'll be taking a course that focuses on the UN Millennium Development Goals . I will also be participating in a Mock UN session, which should be eye-opening!
I feel very honored to be accepted into this program, and it fits perfectly with my career and major goals. It should be a valuable experience, to say the least.
-Jen
I feel very honored to be accepted into this program, and it fits perfectly with my career and major goals. It should be a valuable experience, to say the least.
-Jen
Ready for D.C.
Hello everyone!
I'll soon be off on another adventure for the semester, this time in Washington, D.C. I will be studying in our nation's capitol through an internship program at The Washington Center. I am beyond excited for the semester!
Last week I received an internship offer, and I'll be working with the Ecological Society of America. I will be working with the Director of Education and Diversity Services. My main project for the first half of the semester will be helping to organize the Ecology and Education Summit. It is a national wide conference that will be held in mid-October. From then on, I'll be working on various other tasks relating to smaller workshops and an online database for college students.
For those of you who are wondering, I decided to study in D.C. for a few different reasons. I wanted to do another internship (I was an intern while studying in Mexico) that related both to my political science major and my environmental studies minor. I also really wanted to spend another semester off campus. I waffled between going to China or to D.C. I know, the two are sooo alike...and finally decided on Washington D.C. I'm hoping to live there after I graduate in the Spring (gulp!), so I view this as my trial for D.C. living!
I'll update as I learn more information and it gets closer to departure time. I am leaving on the Amtrak on August 28th, and be in D.C. the 29th. Why the Amtrak? I've never been on the trains, and I'm sure it'll be better than air travel!
-Jen
I'll soon be off on another adventure for the semester, this time in Washington, D.C. I will be studying in our nation's capitol through an internship program at The Washington Center. I am beyond excited for the semester!
Last week I received an internship offer, and I'll be working with the Ecological Society of America. I will be working with the Director of Education and Diversity Services. My main project for the first half of the semester will be helping to organize the Ecology and Education Summit. It is a national wide conference that will be held in mid-October. From then on, I'll be working on various other tasks relating to smaller workshops and an online database for college students.
For those of you who are wondering, I decided to study in D.C. for a few different reasons. I wanted to do another internship (I was an intern while studying in Mexico) that related both to my political science major and my environmental studies minor. I also really wanted to spend another semester off campus. I waffled between going to China or to D.C. I know, the two are sooo alike...and finally decided on Washington D.C. I'm hoping to live there after I graduate in the Spring (gulp!), so I view this as my trial for D.C. living!
I'll update as I learn more information and it gets closer to departure time. I am leaving on the Amtrak on August 28th, and be in D.C. the 29th. Why the Amtrak? I've never been on the trains, and I'm sure it'll be better than air travel!
-Jen
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