WHIP… Ugh.
There was not a lot of virtus tentamine gaudet going on as I packed my bags to fly to Washington D.C. for the semester. Spending a semester in D.C. had seemed like a great idea my freshman year. In fact, when I was an ambitious, career-minded high school senior trying to figure out where to go to college, the WHIP program helped me decide to attend Hillsdale. A chance to kick-start my career? Sign me up!
After three years of forging lifetime friendships and finally figuring out how to manage the Hillsdale course load, it dawned on me that attending WHIP would mean spending the fall semester of my senior year an eight-hour drive and a philosophical lightyear away from the place I considered my second home. Despite my misgivings, at the end of August I found myself moving into the heart of our nation’s capital.
Just a few weeks later, I could not imagine my college experience without spending a semester in D.C. Interning here has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I have learned more in one semester than I thought was possible. Here are some of the most valuable lessons I have learned while living in D.C.
I can successfully apply what I learned at Hillsdale to the “real world.” As a politics major, my professors did an excellent job of helping me develop a philosophical framework within which I can analyze policy. Interning in D.C. let me practice that skill for an entire semester. As a result, I am confident that I can successfully utilize that skill in the workforce after I graduate.
D.C. also taught me the meaning of balance. On campus, I was consumed by a slight obsession with my grades. Living in D.C. helped broaden my perspective. Sure, I might not get a flawless grade on my test if I decide to go to a networking event or a fall-themed street festival; but if I choose to study all night instead, I might not get that job I want — and I’ll definitely miss out on pumpkin donuts.
Even a college student can network. Networking is about building relationships, starting with the people around you. Whether college students, interns, or co-workers, every person has a “circle.” You never know which circle might contain a new friend, a future boss, or future partners for your own firm!
Living in D.C. also helped me reflect on my time at Hillsdale. I realized that a Hillsdale education is priceless. A lot of people think D.C. is one of the most hectic places on earth, and between the full time internship, the networking events, and the classes it might look that way. However, as a Hillsdale student accustomed to spending half a day in class and then studying for eight hours, D.C. is a walk in the park. Literally — I had time after work to walk in the park. That time for introspection helped me realize how much I have learned in the last three years, both in and out of the classroom.
My time in D.C. has given me confidence, perspective, and a new set of life skills that will help me tackle whatever lies ahead. I look forward to returning to Hillsdale for one more semester in the spring. After a semester away, I will appreciate my friendships, professors, and classes more than ever before. Even though I had my doubts, I am glad I took the plunge and spent a semester in Washington.
