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?
This program allows me to attend class two days a week and intern the other three days. As a graduating senior, it seemed like a great opportunity to end my undergraduate career in a place where I could conduct informational interviews with people working in my field of interest.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?
A few weeks ago, Andrew Whitworth, Hannah Anderson and I stood in line from midnight until 6:30 a.m. in 20 degree weather outside the Supreme Court. We were holding spots in line for the law firm representing Hobby Lobby in their suit against Obamacare. It was paid, so that provided a good incentive, but it was after a full day of classes and then we had to be at our internships at 9 the same morning, so it was a bit crazy. We also saw the protesters get there in the morning. They were later featured in FOX News, so it was slightly strange to have my life happen faster than national news could cover it.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?
I have been really thankful to have this season of "in-between" to help make the transition between full-time college student and full-time employee. Having one foot in the academic world and one foot in the professional world, although still an adjustment, has helped me to feel more prepared to transition out of college and into this next phase of life. No, it might not seem as flashy or exciting as backpacking in Europe or living in another country, but it has provided me with a much better understanding of how I can honor God through my vocation. I would highly recommend this program to anyone who is seeking greater clarity about how their individual story fits within the greater story God is working in the world.Thumbnail photograph provided by Molly King.
