Things you learn only in D.C.

When Thi Duong, a family Ecology major and community diversity minor, first realised she was going to Washington D.C., the hub of U.S. International relations and diplomacy for her internship, she didn't expect it to be that much different than what she's used to here in Canada. She would be after all, just a few hours away.

"Although the US and Canada have a lot of similarities, there are also quite a few differences between the two. I had to be mindful that I was in a different country and that the cultural norms weren't always the same as what I was used to at home."

Thi went to D.C. as part of the e3 program, during which she took an academic course and participated in an internship. She had set out her goals: get experience that would add value to what she had been learning in the classroom, increase her administrative and management skills, and gain valuable work experience. However, living and working there, Thi realized she gained a lot more than just that.

"Living in a foreign country for an extended period of time, you really have to be aware of your surroundings and analyse each situation to avoid miscommunication."
While in D.C., she not only learned that American culture has its own particularities, but she also learned how to adapt to it. For example, she got her first ever slugging experience. 'Slugging,' according to Washingtonians, is a concept similar to carpooling; random people meet at a common place in the city and carpool to work, for free. This type of ride-sharing was different from anything she's known back home and completely shocked her at first. Despite the shock, Thi was able to get accustomed to it, so much so that it became part of her everyday routine. "Being part of the D.C. professional scene meant adapting to the fast-paced commuting life." With networking skills and learning to be flexible she could literally get anywhere.

Thi interned in the public health department of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "We had many guest speakers from well-known institutions that spoke about their work environment and of DC's culture. "All of which reinforced what I was learning first-hand throughout my internship placement." Even though she had never worked in in government before, she knew it was an experience she wanted. She gave it her all, and completely nailed it! She was recognised by the USDA and her supervisors with an award for going over and beyond her duties.

Aside from attending several program related events during her work placement, such as the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Public Sector Summit and the 2016 Federal Forum, Thi also got to experience Washington D.C. like she never before. She spent her evenings discovering the city and visiting iconic sites like the Smithsonian museum. But, one of her fondest memories of D.C. is watching life go by as she rode her bicycle along the Potomac River.

Through the e3 program, Thi learned a lot about herself and developed important skills that will see her through the rest of academic career and prepare her for a professional life. One word to describe her experience? Invaluable. "Take the initiative, don't be scared to explore, and ask for what you want."

After all, there is no reward without risk.