Archives for September 2021

Do you ever find yourself going on vacation and being the “boring” one who always wants to go home? If so, you might be a homebody. Regardless, you still like to travel and see new things, but you have a limited amount of time before you feel yourself itching to go back home. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for those who love to be on the move 24/7 to experience everything a place has to offer. Exhausting, right? Well, have no fear! In my infinite wisdom, which I have gained after a whole three weeks of being in D.C., I have devised a fool-proof system to having fun outdoors as a homebody.

First, you know those exhausting, always-on-the-move folks I mentioned earlier? Yeah, you need to find some of them. In my case, my roommates have been wonderfully adventurous and on the move. Although I initially found it overwhelming trying to keep up with them, I soon realized that 1) I don’t always have to keep up with them and 2) if not for them, I wouldn’t know where to go or be motivated enough to explore. I am infinitely grateful that my roommates always include me in theirs plans but are understanding of when I need to go home to recharge. Also, there are no rules to going out. Just because they’ve already arrived somewhere, doesn’t mean I can’t join later or leave early. So, go find yourself some adventurers to guide and motivate you.

Secondly, know your limits. Going out with friends, experiencing new things, all of that is wonderful. I’ve had so many good experiences with my roommates. This being said, I know when I need to go home and when I can allow myself some more time outside. There is nothing wrong with leaving a little early, even if fear of missing out is real. I won’t lie. Initially, it was hard to go home because I felt like a killjoy, but my roommates were more than accommodating and knew that my need to be home had nothing to do with my levels of enjoyment while out with them. Explain yourself well, and I promise your adventurers will understand, too! If not, find new ones. I swear they are everywhere.

Lastly, set a schedule for yourself. Currently, I am typically good to go out on Saturday. Friday can be arranged, and Sunday is usually spent indoors. Now, this is, of course, flexible. In times where plans change, I usually go from a day schedule to an hours schedule. So, instead of having designated rest days, I have a designated number of hours where I need to be home. This gives me more flexibility. Whichever works best for you, express it with those around you. Then, plans can be made that accommodate you while also allowing everyone to explore.
So, there you have it! An ultimate guide to enjoying a new city as a homebody. Always remember, you have plenty of time to explore, and not all fun has to be had outdoors.

Katherine Olvera
National Farmers Union
Washington, D.C. | Fall 2021

     1.Living with 3 strangers can actually be one of the best things ever

If you’re like me, you never lived with a stranger. You moved in with a friend from high school freshman year, and everyone you’ve lived with since has been someone you knew. With this in mind, thinking of living with strangers was a little scary. It turns out, it’s So. Much. Fun. We not only get to adventure together, but we also get to learn and grow from each other as well. These girls are the best roomies I could ask for, so definitely trust Erin and Stephanie when they say they’re good at roommate matching.

     2.The metro is actually pretty simple

As scary as it seems, the metro is not hard at all. Ride it twice, and you’ll be good to go. You can use your maps app on your phone to figure out which lines to take to get to different places, and every train says where it’s going on the outside, so you know exactly what to look for. Honestly, it becomes kind of fun because you start feeling like a local. 😉

     3.You get into the groove fairly quickly 

Getting acclimated to my work environment was one of my biggest worries. After all, we’re only here for three months; it honestly didn’t seem like enough time. Two weeks in, and I feel so welcomed. Coworkers and supervisors know you’re an intern, so they expect questions, welcome them, and they really want to help you!

     4.EVERYTHING, even the mistakes, is a learning opportunity 

You are going to make mistakes. Some tiny, some not so tiny. Regardless, use them! They are amazing learning opportunities. A huge part of this experience is growing as a person and learning the hard way. So, don’t beat yourself up or be too hard on yourself because every mistake means you are growing and getting better!

     5.People are actually nice

The biggest shock of all to me was how nice people are here. Everyone warned me before moving to watch out for people and to have tough skin because D.C. is one of the scariest/ meanest places. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Strangers will help you if you’re lost, metro workers will help you if your card isn’t working, and your neighbors can turn into friends!

Emma Golightly
National Association of Wheat Growers
Washington, D.C. | Fall 2021