The following blog post was written by Abby Brook, a senior in the Elliott School studying international affairs and international development.
One of the best choices I made within my first couple weeks at George Washington was going to an Ultimate Frisbee practice. I knew that I wanted to play a sport in college, but hardly knew that Ultimate even existed. After I was cut from the club sport I wanted to play, I was pretty bummed so I tried a couple different teams, including Women’s Ultimate. Once I arrived, I automatically knew that Ultimate was exactly the sport–and team–I was looking for.
You see, Ultimate isn’t like any other sport. Most sports involve physical activity and development of skills–as does ultimate–but it is not just about the game. Ultimate frisbee was created with an important component called Spirit of the Game. USA Ultimate, the main organizational body, describes Spirit of the Game as “The integrity of Ultimate depends on each player’s responsibility to uphold the Spirit of the Game, and this responsibility should remain paramount.” This means that not only must all players respect each other on the field as we work out calls together–no referees–, but it also translates into relationships of respect off the field.
Ultimate is one of the most impressive communities that I have come across. At GW every year, it helps create a home and community for anyone who wants to join. We not only play hard together, but I have found some of my most valuable relationships through the sport. As a community we hold each other accountable to creating an inclusive community and addressing topics like sexual assault and gender inequity.
But this community extends beyond GW. I have been in cities across the US and even the world, where I have been able to find communities through ultimate frisbee. When I was in Chile, I played with a team and was able to make real friends with Chileans in the short period of time I was there. Ultimate is involved in peace and development initiatives globally and is tackling gender inequity within its own institutions.
If you are interested in playing a sport in college or even need to find a new community, come check out Ultimate Frisbee! You just might find it is the right place for you, and fall in love with a community and a sport along the way.
Category: Student Voices
Study Ablog: From New Zealand with Love
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Sydney, a SEAS sophomore studying biomedical engineering and currently studying abroad in New Zealand! You can learn more about Sydney here.
As with most great things in life, studying abroad is not easy. Don’t get me wrong, it is a beyond amazing experience that I absolutely wouldn’t trade for anything in the world. But it isn’t all fun and games. Sure, it’s a lot of fun with a fair number of games, but there are still many of challenges along the way. Here are some helpful tips to help you survive the time of your life.
- Learn to love planning.
If even the thought of planning a trip stresses you out, be prepared. Study abroad is 25% having the time of your life and 75% planning how to have the time of your life. Whether it’s planning how to even get there, or planning all of the adventures you want to have while you are there let’s just say you and your calendar are about to become very familiar with each other. But hey once you make it there all the stress of planning will melt away. - Step out of your comfort zone
You are on the adventure of a lifetime. Don’t be afraid to take some risks. Don’t be stupid of course, but you can take risks without risking potentially dying. Whenever somebody asks you to do something you aren’t sure about just think, “Will I ever get the chance to do this again?” “Will I regret it if I don’t?” “Will I regret it if I do?” If the answers to these questions are yes, yes, and no, respectively, go for it! Why not? You are there to have fun, so have some fun! - Don’t be afraid to travel alone
Traveling alone is not as scary as it sounds. I promise. Especially if you come into it with plan (see above). During my mid-semester break I spent a few days traveling alone and honestly it was the best few days of my entire break. The great thing about traveling alone is you can do whatever you want whenever you want. It’s an absolutely refreshing feeling and it really takes a lot of the stress out of traveling. - Take care of yourself
Don’t forget to take care of yourself. It is very easy to fall into the trap of feeling like any time not spent adventuring is a waste of time, but that’s not true. It is okay to take some time for yourself to relax and decompress. As great as the whole experience is, it can be stressful. Your physical, mental, and emotional health is just as important abroad as it is back home. - Maybe try going to class?
Yes, you are in an amazing new country with so many great experiences waiting for you. BUT don’t forget, you are still a college student. Sad, but true. You still have to pass your classes and one of the easiest ways to do that is going to class every now and then. You may be in a new country, but college basically still works the same way. Sorry to disappoint. - Take plenty of great photos
When in doubt, take a photo. You absolutely want to catalogue this amazing experience with as many photos as you can. Not only will they allow you to show off to the whole world what an amazing time you are having (we all do it, don’t lie), but they will also help you remember this experience when you get back home. Here are some of my personal favorite photos from my time here:
#HonorsProblems: Struggles of an Intellectually-Curious Student in an Achievement-Oriented World
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Tori, a sophomore in the Elliott School studying international affairs and conflict resolution. You can learn more about Tori here.
It’s 12:52am. You register for classes in approximately 6 hours. In your groggy stupor, you, an intellectually curious student, think to yourself “Math is my weakest academic area, but maybe that’s because I haven’t found a topic that I genuinely enjoy! Calculus sounds interesting!” You, nostalgic for a time when academic success was not determined by the letter grade you receive on a transcript (4th grade, maybe), decide to register for Calc I.
But you, a pragmatist, remember that you are scared of numbers and hate taking exams, and you decide that you don’t want to take any more semesters of math than is absolutely necessary. You, a problem-solver, amend your original plan and decide to register for an accelerated version of Calc I.
You have never taken Calc before. You haven’t taken any sort of math class in 2 years. You tell yourself you will review basic concepts in mathematics. You, a busy person with other more relevant academic interests, don’t. You, a stubborn and intellectually-curious individual, don’t drop the class.
The semester goes by, and you find yourself spending a disproportionate amount of time studying for a class in which you’re doing significantly less-well than all your other classes. You, a reflective student, ask yourself: was this even worth it? Why did I do this to myself?
—
Confession #1: This was me.
Confession #2: The grade I ultimately received in this class was lower than any other grade I’ve received in my life.
Confession #3: I would 100% recommend that everybody make the exact same decision.
I chose to take Calc for two reasons: 1) Even though math was never my strong suit, Calc seemed like an interesting and applicable version of math and I genuinely wanted to give it a chance, and 2) I knew that I would rather struggle through a class I found interesting than get a decent grade in a class I absolutely hated. At the end of the semester I realized that, even through the fatigue, complaints, and packages of erasers, I was intellectually satisfied. I had learned more than I had anticipated, and I was proud of what I had learned. Maybe that didn’t always show through on an exam, but I knew deep-down that I was being honest with myself and that I had made a choice that was the best decision for me.
The details of this story are specific to my own experience, but I can almost guarantee that the sentiment is not. Honors students are driven by a desire to learn everything they can about the world around us, and sometimes, this leads us down a more challenging academic path than we had initially anticipated. Maybe my Calc experience will be your experience with a philosophy class or an art class, or maybe you’re struggling through your own personal mathematical abyss. In the spirit of this registration season, I tell you this: TAKE THE CLASS. Trust me, the struggle will be worth it.
Intern Files: The US Trade Representative
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Bridger, an SMPA senior studying political communication and business administration.
When I arrived at GW almost four years ago, international trade was not high on my list of issues of interest. Indeed, I am quite sure I had no idea what “international trade” really meant, to say nothing of how it impacts the lives of people all across the globe. However, as my time at GW wore on, and the issue became more and more salient, I decided it was time to educate myself on the issue. Since I was a Political Communications major who had already finished his Political Science courses, I turned to the world of internships to do just that.
I spent the summer of 2016 at the United States Trade Representative (USTR), working in their Public Affairs Office. While I have interned many places throughout my time at GW, I had never taken on a full time internship. To those reading this, wondering if you should work full time for a summer, I would advise you to do so. At the USTR, not only was I able to develop far more meaningful professional relationships than I have previously at internships, but I was also able to grasp the material to the point that I felt I had, at the very least, achieved a solid understanding of a very complex subject. Moreover, by interning in the summer, I felt I was able to get my first real glimpse into what the “real world” of 9-6 work looks like. You don’t realize, as a student, how tired you’ll be at the end of the day, or how little time there is during a work week for things you really enjoy. While that may sound a bit downtrodden, the experience of working at the USTR made me realize that prioritizing what is important, and working somewhere where you are fulfilled and happy, truly are keys to an enjoyable life.
Furthermore, for those reading and wondering if they should use internships to expand their knowledge base, I say go for it. Believe me when I say I did not have a great grasp on the Trans Pacific Partnership when I arrived at the Winder Building in early June, and that was definitely intimidating. However, by the time I left I felt I had achieved a mastery of the subject, and that I could defend the deal’s merits to anyone. By throwing yourself into professional situations that force you to “figure it out”, you, in a way, force yourself to improve. Especially when pay is minimal or nonexistent, finding ways to take things away from an internship other than the line on your resume is the most worthwhile thing you can do. Expand your horizons, don’t worry if you don’t know everything about a subject, and, if possible, try an internship that allows you to explore a topic that you may not know all that much about.
The Extra-Curricular: Students for Justice in Palestine
The following blog post was written by Abby Brook, an Elliott School sophomore studying the Middle East, international development, and music. You can learn more about Abby here.
Hello UHP Community, I want to share how my experience with Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) has been the most influential aspect of my life at GW. SJP is an organization that advocates for the justice and human rights for Palestinians and seeks to educate the community about the occupation of Palestine. My experience with SJP has been pivotal in my life for two main reasons: through my involvement, I learned how to be a student organizer while I also found a loving and supportive community that challenges me.
While I joined SJP last year, I truly got involved this year. I am a member of SJP’s non-hierarchical coordinating committee, so this year I gained different kinds of experience and skills with SJP; I planned multiple events, helped launch a divestment campaign, and learned skills for working with other students and organizers in the DMV area! As a result of our style of leadership and the nature of being in a student organization that focuses on organizing, I was able to learn through experience with the supportive community of other students! In the process, I have learned so much about organizing, social justice, and community. My involvement with SJP has played a big role in realizing that after graduation, I want to continue doing community organizing for racial justice!
An equally important part of my experience with SJP has been how it created a home for me at GW. The relationships that I made through SJP have helped sustain me through the ups and downs of organizing and college life. I’m so grateful for my community and inspired by my friends every day!
If you are interested in getting involved with social justice and community organizing on campus, I would love to talk to you and find the right space for you so you can find your own family and community like I did! 🙂
The Intern Files: Office of the Solicitor General of the United States
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Zach, a pre-law CCAS junior studying history, law and society, and jazz studies.
As I sat in a black van with tinted windows, driving down Constitution Avenue towards the Supreme Court, Edwin Kneedler, a Deputy Solicitor General of the United States and 125+ Supreme Court Oral Argument veteran, turned around and said to me, “So what the hell happened at the Oscars last night?”
Innocently sitting at my desk, the head of the Research & Publications division walked in and handed a thick packet to the paralegal sitting at the desk behind me. The packet was the United States’ Amicus Brief in State of Washington v. Trump, being delivered for cite-checking.
And every morning, Noel J. Francisco, the current Acting Solicitor General, President Trump’s pick to fill the role permanently, and the legal architect of Travel Ban 2.0, smiles at me and says good morning.
These are just a few of the quirks of my job as an Administrative Intern in the Office of the Solicitor General of the United States. It’s an interesting place to be, nowadays, but to understand exactly why, let me give you a quick briefing on what exactly the OSG is and what the Solicitor General does.
The Solicitor General of the United States is responsible for representing the interests of the federal government in all litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States. This includes in oral arguments, where the SG represents the “United States” and its executive agencies when they are parties to a case; via writing amicus curiae briefs, even in cases where the United States is not a direct party, and deciding when to appeal cases to the Supreme Court. For instance, Solicitor General Don Verrilli represented Sylvia Burwell in the Obamacare litigation (King v. Burwell, Zubik v. Burwell, etc.), and the OSG wrote the Obama administration’s brief in Obergefell v. Hodges, the gay marriage case.
It’s an office that has immense influence on the development of law, and it’s rightly considered by many to be the pinnacle of the legal profession – just ask Justice Thurgood Marshall, who called his time as Solicitor General “the best job I ever had.”
The internship has given me an incredible level of insight into my future profession. One of the main perks is carte blanche access to the Supreme Court, so I’ve been able to ride in the van with lawyers preparing to argue on a given day, watch them argue, and observe them debrief from the experience. For a nerd like me who would wake up at 5:00am to see Oral Arguments anyway, it’s a dream come true.
As a history major, it’s been fascinating to walk through the halls of the Justice Department and see faces of Attorneys General and Solicitors General past looking down on me. The OSG, one of the offices created by the 1870 Act to Establish the Department of Justice, has a deep history. It’s been involved in just about every major Supreme Court decision in our nation’s history: former SG Samuel Phillips represented Homer Plessy in Plessy v. Ferguson. Solicitor General Philip Perlman first suggested in his brief for the United States in Henderson v. United States that Plessy should be overturned. Assistant to the Solicitor General Philip Elman wrote the amicus curiae brief in Brown vs. Board of Education which suggested the “with all deliberate speed” approach to racial desegregation.
It’s an office that has been the primary force for justice and change since the very outset of its existence. Merely being present and attentive during the past few tumultuous months to watch the nation’s best litigators, do their work, irrespective of politics, has been a fascinating and instructive experience. I would encourage anyone who is interested in an internship that truly gives you a platform for high-level observation to apply for the internship for the fall, and feel free to reach out with any questions you might have.
The Extra-Curricular: Computers!
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Riley, a CCAS sophomore transferring into SEAS to study computer science. You can learn more about him here.
Hi, UHPers! Welcome to another edition of The Extra Curricular. My academic career began at the Elliott School and is transitioning into SEAS, where I study computer science. When you’re in a position like mine, you will be much better off by exposing yourself to all the new things and rooting yourself in orgs that reward you for sacrificing free time. I belong to Buff and Blue Hat (BBH) and GW Systems Hacking Club (SHC), both of which are focused on understanding systems. My experiences with these orgs taught me lessons about personal growth that I would like to share with you.
This semester, I serve as vice president of BBH which looks at system security and is generally more open to newcomers who know very little computer science. When I first started attending meetings, the great thing about BBH was that the club had loose structure, few members, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions from knowledgeable people. These factors are so important because they let me shape my learning. As I often suggested stuff I wanted to learn and researched topics to bring to the group, I became a central part of the club and it became an excellent tool for me. There is a lot of value in growing an org because you will find yourself growing with it!
Even in established clubs, getting involved will build you up. That’s especially beneficial when the club teaches you skills and concepts that will appear in later jobs, classes, etc. SHC focuses on the gritty details of operating systems and large code bases. It’s backed by professor Gabe Parmer (Operating Systems Professor) and is a great avenue for research with him or for participating in projects with other students. And it provides students with a way to teach interesting topics that you learn along the way. By getting involved and giving a talk, I was able to take on a research position with a systems professor and feel comfortable with the material.
If these clubs sound interesting or you want to contact me, check out the info below:
Email: rileykennedy@gwu.edu
BBH: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bbhgw/
SHC: https://github.com/GW-SHC
Study Ablog: From Florence with Love
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Sammi, an SMPA junior studying political communication and art history. Sammi is also currently abroad this semester in Florence. You can learn more about her here.
My study abroad preparation began a few months into my freshman year at GW. Being the type-A planner that I am, I started to research study abroad programs for the spring semester of my junior year before I even knew what I was doing with my life for the next semester. Over the next few years, I decided on a program, arranged my four-year plan to fit study abroad (see they are helpful!) and applyied to my program. After being accepted to my program in late August, I began researching packing lists and advice for studying in Florence and studying abroad as a whole.
All of that being said, there are many things that I did not plan for in my multi-year study abroad preparation. I am going to share a few pieces of advice that either nobody told me before going abroad or that I heard but did not take to heart. Hopefully by reading this, you will be spared some of these difficulties (albeit minor difficulties) in your own study abroad experience. If not, I hope you will be amused by my random stories (see #2). Here we go…
#1: Document your time abroad
You have probably heard this a million times. So have I. Yet, when I arrived in Florence, I forgot entirely about my nice leather journal I got for Christmas and only took my camera with me on weekend trips. Documenting the day-to-day activities, even if it is just what you eat (I would love to have had a tally of how many slices of pizza I have had), helps you remember the days that comprise your everyday study abroad life. I have only been in Florence for five weeks, but I am already forgetting what I did in the days before I started classes. Find a medium that works for you—private journal, online blog, photography, video—and stick to it. You will be thankful for this when you get home and your family asks you what you did while abroad. I have a million pictures from this “Sound of Music” tour I went on in Mondsee, Austria (because the scenery was gorgeous) and other weekend trips, but only a handful from my days in Florence.
#2: You will miss American food/snacks
Everyone has that one snack that you would willingly eat for the rest of your life. For me, that is Hot Cheetos. After a few weeks of trying to decipher what the Italian snacks at the supermarket were, I started to miss my Hot Cheetos, which are nowhere to be found in Europe. I am lucky enough to have a few people visiting me from the US throughout the semester that will supply my Hot Cheetos need. I also had no idea how much I would miss burgers. Most of my meals during my weekend in Paris were burgers and fries (I know, pathetic) because I had not seen them in Florence. Now, I know of three restaurants within a five minute walk from my apartment that serve good burgers for those days I start missing American food. Before you go abroad, look up what items aren’t sold in your study abroad location (peanut butter, ranch dressing, Hot Cheetos, etc.) and decide whether you realistically can live without them for a semester. If not, pack some with you before you leave.
On a rainy day, I decided to explore some of Florence and I caught a photo of this saxophonist playing “La Vie en Rose” outside the Duomo. Now, I stop to listen every time I see him.
#3: Dedicate time to explore your home city
This lesson is one that I repeatedly told myself I would abide by before arriving in Florence and one that I find to be extremely important. There is a reason you are choosing to study abroad in a certain city, so make sure you give yourself the chance to explore it. I made a plan to travel at most every other weekend so that I could spend my other weekends exploring Florence and surrounding Tuscan towns. Despite this plan, I have traveled 4/5 of the weekends that I have been abroad. Although it has been absolutely amazing to visit cities like Budapest and Paris, I have not allotted the same time to enjoy the equally amazing city of Florence. Either travel less on the weekends (your bank account will be happy about this, too) or set aside a few hours every week to explore a new neighborhood—going into shops, trying out restaurants and visiting museums.
Studying abroad is a privilege that most people are unable to experience. While it may feel like it is a norm at GW, it is important not to take this opportunity for granted. These lessons are by no means life changing or even in the top 10 pieces of advice for study abroad. However, they have helped me, and hopefully will help you, make the most out of our time abroad.
#HonorsProblems: On being a high achiever who doesn’t fit the GW mold
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Kate, a CCAS sophomore studying statistics. You can learn more about Kate here.
Everyone knows one: the perfect archetype of the GW student. This student is majoring in Political Science, or International Affairs, or, if they’re particularly ambitious, both. Their Instagram is all monument pictures. They have a favorite Supreme Court Justice; they already support someone’s 2020 campaign. They attended the DNC, are currently working at multiple think-tanks, and have interned on the Hill. Twice.
For those of us who don’t fit this image, it can often feel like we’re not doing enough to keep up. Honors students tend to care about academic success. However, how can we measure our achievements if they don’t look like this university’s image of success? As a Statistics major, I’ve learned that my victories often aren’t exactly the same as everyone else’s—and that’s okay. So here’s a few tips on how to stop comparing yourself to others and celebrate your own achievements.
Look for Strengths in Different Areas
I’ve found that students (especially Honors students) who worry about how much they’re doing actually already have plenty of accomplishments. Many of us just don’t know where to look. It’s obvious that a Hillternship can go on your resume as experience. But have you considered that your student org involvement can provide valuable skills, too? I used to worry about not having done enough, until a fellow peer advisor pointed out that being an RA is an accomplishment to be proud of. I had to look to my residential experience instead of my professional experience to see that I am successful—just in different ways than my friends.
Make a Plan
If you’re in a field that’s not typically GW (like Statistics), typical career advice may not be applicable to you. Investigate what you need to be successful on your chosen path. Do you need to go to grad school? What classes should you be taking? Are internships important to your field, or is something else weighted more heavily? For me, I’ve realized that the most important part of my resume is not job experience, but the statistical packages I can program in. See if there are similar norms in your discipline.
Sometimes, You Come First
Taking care of yourself should be a student’s first priority. No one can take classes, work, be in student orgs, maintain friendships, or balance any other commitments we encounter, unless you’re mentally and physically healthy first. Be conscious of yourself and your needs. If comparing yourself to someone makes you feel like you need an internship, but you can barely handle your classes as is, guess what: you shouldn’t take an internship. Your needs are different than that student’s, and that’s okay.
Similarly, it’s okay to prioritize what you want instead of what you “should” want. Next year I will be an RA on the Vern. I’ve been told I shouldn’t take the position because I should stay on Foggy Bottom—but I love being an RA, I love the honors community, and I love working with freshmen. I’ve realized that my passions don’t have to align with the choices that others would make.
Conclusion- Stop Comparing Apples to Oranges
In summary, if you’re not the typical GW student, by golly, stop feeling bad about it. You’re great too. Look for other accomplishments, figure out how to be successful in your discipline, and take care of yourself. You’re going to be fine. I believe in you!
Intern Files: Tammy for Illinois
The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Benji, an SMPA junior studying Political Communication. You can learn more about Benji here.
It was easy to overlook in the craziness of this past presidential election, but there were lots of exciting campaigns all the way down the ballot. Over the summer, I had the privilege of being a part of one of those races. As the press intern for Tammy for Illinois, I worked closely with members of the communications team to get Tammy Duckworth elected to the U.S. Senate.
A campaign press internship is a fast paced, tiring, and often thankless job. I’d be the first person in the office in the morning to send out an email with important news that is going to be driving the day’s conversation, and one of the last people to leave after making sure there was no breaking news – a rarity during this election cycle. In between, most of my time was spent media monitoring: scouring various news sites and social media for any mentions of my candidate or her opponent. Throughout the summer I also participated in the various traditions of campaign life: marching in parades, stuffing envelopes, knocking on doors, and most importantly asking people for money. Calling up complete strangers to solicit donations is a surprisingly useful skill!
The best parts of my internship were the chances I got to write speeches, statements, and op-eds. It’s extremely challenging to write in someone else’s voice, learning how to match their cadence and speaking quirks, but the feeling of seeing your work printed in the paper and hearing the candidate deliver your words makes it all worth it. In my time working for Tammy I wrote on subjects as varied as Wall Street regulations and subsidies for corn growers. That’s one of the things I liked best about working on a campaign; so many different topics are covered and so many crazy things can happen that every day at work is unique.
As a political communications major in the School of Media and Public Affairs, the material I learned in class was directly applicable to the work I did for my internship. But you don’t have to be an SMPA student to have a successful career in politics. In fact, I picked up some of the most important abilities in my Honors classes. As annoying as it was to see red ink splattered across my Origins papers, my professor’s critiques made my writing shaper and more concise – essential traits for political writing. Additionally, the Honors Program developed my critical thinking skills, so I could cut through the boatload of information floating in the news and pick out the issues that actually mattered. I even managed to work a Plato reference into a speech!
Even though the next election seems so far away, its vital to realize that there are campaigns all the time for local races. It’s here that many of the most impactful decisions are made. So if you’re upset about the current state of American politics, hop on a campaign and elect people up and down the ballot that stand for the values you care about. As Aristotle pointed out, we are all “political animals”, and there’s no better way to tap into that natural instinct than by working on a campaign.
