Orientation+: The Better Version

This was written last week, but I couldn't get my internet to work until now.

I realized that my last post was absolutely not informational, since I had already posted the super long email from AFS. So allow me to elaborate on the congressional meeting instead…

My meeting was at 3 PM, but unfortunately, I showed up at 3:05 (oops!) But all was well, because the legislative aide was also late. She was really nice, and we ended up talking about current issues in education, transportation, and the budget. My Congressman was not available because he was at the Democratic National Convention (reporting on the budget, actually).

 I also learned that my representative had studied abroad in Sri Lanka, which I thought was really cool! I mean, I barely hear about that country (the only reason I have heard of it before was because a classmate of mine was from there). Later, I gave the LA “leave behind” materials, and proceeded to tell her that I would like to see more exchange students in our area. In total, the meeting was 45 minutes, which was a lot longer than I expected.  This visit made me realize exactly how lucky Marylanders (and DCers) are--they can always come to visit their representatives relatively easily. Most people's meetings lasted anywhere from 5-20 minutes.

After our congressional visits, we went to the German American Heritage Museum. It’s a small, but VERY interesting museum (or at least in my opinion). It reminded me how important it is for people to keep part of their heritage to share. Like I had written in my application essays before, I think it is absolutely unnecessary to try and act “American“. (and I often wonder whether there is something such as acting American in the first place). All you need to be is yourself, and hey, if someone thinks you’re weird, that is their problem, not yours.

So..how was orientation, you ask? All I will say is that it isn't the most exciting thing ever. There were tons of workshops, and we often had to be in the meeting room (Salon A) for the majority of our day (except when we were in DC). Only you and your roommate are allowed in your hotel room, which means that everyone else has to stop at the threshold of the door. I get that for rule being applied for the opposite gender, but not allowing friends in was a bit annoying. On the day before departure, all the "core" students (tuition-based) joined us, and their were 80 some people. That day was a lot better, since we played an AFS trivia game and just chilled.

Right now, I am on the airplane, and should probably get some sleep due to the time difference. So goodbye for now--my next post will be directly from Germany!