By Abigail Pollock | Echo
The Echo interviewed Molly King, a senior international studies major. She is currently participating in the public policy track of Best Semester's American Studies Program in Washington D.C.
Why did you choose the American Studies Program?
Can you describe your internship?
I am interning with the U.S. Senate. My responsibilities generally vary from day to day depending on if the Senate is in session or not, what issues are happening in the world and what legislation is coming up for a vote. I have been working primarily with our foreign relations and health care legislative assistants, doing research for them and attending hearings. Other responsibilities include writing responses to constituent letters, giving Capitol tours, answering phones and generally filling in around the office as needed.
What is the most valuable opportunity this program has given you?
Being able to learn firsthand from professionals working in my field of interest has been invaluable. I have been so appreciative of the generosity of time and thought people have shown to me. My concentration of International studies is in politics and economics, which are pretty broad fields, so to be able to learn directly from someone about how they got to where they are, how their faith shapes their work and what it really looks like to work in that field has been such a great opportunity.
What are some differences between your ASP semester and your time at Taylor?
A few people have described D.C. as "the biggest small town you'll ever see," and the longer I'm here, the more that I'm finding there's truth to that. However, one of the biggest differences that I've experienced this semester between ASP and Taylor relates to time and relationships. At Taylor, it's expected that you run into someone you know everywhere you go. Here in D.C., I'm at my internship from 9 to 6 three days per week, so while I see people I know at my office, I don't run into anyone I know anywhere else. It also means that it takes a lot more energy and effort to connect with someone after work. Because D.C. is also a much bigger space than Taylor, it also takes more time traveling to and from those meetings so it means you can see less people with less frequency. Community is just experienced in a completely different way.
What is a memorable experience you have had?
Are there other unique experience you get by living in D.C.?
Other fun things have included seeing Ben Affleck at a hearing and attending the first real hearing on the situation that happened between Russia and Ukraine in Crimea. We also went to New York City for a weekend.
What would you like students to know about the American Studies Program?
Thumbnail photograph provided by Molly King.
