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
