Moving to D.C. for your internship is a big and scary thing, and I can say that honestly! But! It is also one of the most rewarding things I have ever done, and I am so thankful that I stepped out of my comfort zone to do it. Here are five preconceived notions I had before moving to D.C. and how they have been debunked after living here for two months!
It will be hard to get around places without a car
- I was really worried I would miss my car and being able to drive everywhere, but I do not miss it all that much. I am really grateful I do not have to commute in D.C. traffic every day to and from work. The metro is really user-friendly and is a much better form of transportation so far in my experience!
Everything will cost lots of money
- Don’t get me wrong, everything here is way more expensive than it is in Texas, BUT the good news is, there are lots of fun, inexpensive and free activities that you can do around the city. Most of the museums here are free, which is amazing, and can take up most of your weekends! My favorite free thing that I have done is go to the Smithsonian National Zoo!
It will be hard to make friends
- The A&M program is really great because you get to go through the same experience as 20 other people in the program. Moving to a whole new city really bonds you, and some of my best memories here are with people from my cohort!
I’ll get tired/bored of seeing the D.C. sights
- I thought that I would get tired of seeing the Capitol and memorials every day, but I can say for a fact that I do not. It will never get old to me that I am in one of the most historical places in the world with the most architecturally beautiful buildings.
I’d miss Texas and feel homesick
- I definitely thought that I would feel homesick and miss Texas, but I can say that I don’t think about the Lonestar State as much as I thought I would. The D.C. life is just more my speed, and the culture is just something that you cannot get in Texas. I am in the process of hopefully getting a job and moving up here full time and saying goodbye to Texas!
Emma Keiser
The Fertilizer Institute
Spring 2023 | Washington, D.C
