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Thank you so much for honoring me with the opportunity to attend the
Washington Workshops program! I wasn't sure what to expect from the trip
beforehand (since this is the first workshop I have attended) but the
seminar never failed to amaze me each day. After I adjusted to the time
difference and the humid weather in DC, I realized that I was having a
really wonderful time! When I arrived at Marymount University, I was
greeted by friendly and helpful counselors, as well as students from all
different states. The trip gave me a chance to meet many new friends, and
to learn about their different backgrounds and political beliefs.
Of course, the most amazing parts of the seminar were our visits to
historical sites throughout Washington DC. It was a unique chance to see
the way our country is run, and to actually observe the process. For
example, I loved sitting in the Senate Gallery and watching our Senators
voting on a proposed bill. I even saw a few of my favorite senators, John
Kenny and Barack Obama. I definitely felt like this seminar gave us an
exclusive view of US Government, and it was fascinating to me to see these
things up close. Tours of Mount Vernon, the Supreme Court building, the
monuments, and the Smithsonian museums were also fun and very
informative.
Perhaps my favorite part of the workshop was the fact that we heard a
number of guest speakers -- sometimes several in one day. I loved this
because each speaker offered us a different perspective on an issue. We
heard presentations about so many different topics, from current events in
Iraq to news companies and the media. It was a truly thought provoking
experience, and it sparked many interesting discussions among my new
friends.
The model congress we created was another highlight of the trip.
Everyone was sorted into focused committees, in which we had to propose a
bill to solve a problem. In the process, we learned more about the way
things are done in the real Congress, including Parliamentary Procedure.
On the last day, we got to present our bills in a Capitol Hill building.
The debates about each bill were very exciting and allowed us to tackle
important issues.
The Washington Workshops Congressional Seminar is an experience that I
feel very lucky to have had. I am so glad I entered the essay contest and
went on the trip, because I came away with a better appreciation for (and
understanding of) our country's rich history. It was really a
mind-expanding experience. Whether speaking for our committee's bill on
the model congress floor, or watching C-Span with some of my new friends
on a break, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Thank you again for giving
me this great opportunity! |
