Once you’re accepted to ANRP and placed with your office, the anticipation starts rapidly building. While you’re itching to get to D.C. and daydreaming about our nation’s capital as you wrap up the semester, here are a few practical ways to prepare for an internship:
1. Prep your packing list
This seems like common sense to most people, but don’t underestimate the power of a good packing list! Creating a comprehensive list is a great way to quantify the limited real estate you have in your luggage. Based on your office’s dress code, think about how many outfits you can mix and match, what shoes you’ll practically wear, and how many A&M t-shirts you can actually wear. Make sure you consider outfits for evenings and items to adapt for D.C. weather! Don’t forget about your non-clothing items too-chargers, your favorite water bottle, the retainer you should be wearing every night… The more comprehensive the list, the less likely you are to forget an essential. Bonus tip: save your list and use it to check off all your items while you’re packing to head back to Texas!
2. Prep some meal ideas
While we all love eating out and discovering new restaurants, the costs definitely add up in a city like D.C.! To prevent a meal prep lull, look for recipes for some of your favorite meals and snacks. Look for ones that are easy to make multiple servings of and pre-pack for lunch. Some of my favorites are pasta salad and cheese and crackers (think adult lunchables!). Coming with recipe ideas on deck will make shopping and cooking a lot easier.
3. Prep your weekend plans
The DMV area is packed with so many incredible places to visit and explore, plus it is just a short journey from places like New York and Philadelphia. It can be overwhelming to find where you want to visit and not feel like you’ve wasted your limited weekends up here. Ask for recommendations and search for the must-see museums, green spaces, and restaurants in and around D.C. If you know you want to go out of town, decide on a weekend early so you don’t put it off and run out of time!
Helena MacCrossan
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
Summer 2022 | Washington, D.C.
