My Road to Washington, D.C.

As I sit at my desk at the office of the Public Integrity Section of the United States Department of Justice, I think back to where I was one year ago from today. In the fall of 2012, I was a sophomore at Lafayette College in Easton, PA researching schools that would be worth transferring to after the academic year ended. After having lunch with my father's good friend, who happens to be a distinguished alumnus of Hamilton College, I realized that maybe taking a short trip to Hamilton couldn't hurt. Long story short, I loved being on "The Hill" and by January, 2013, I was a student at Hamilton College--the best decision I have ever made. While in my first semester at Hamilton, I had heard about the "DC Program" and immediately became interested in knowing more about it. Fast forward to the beginning of September and here I am interning for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. As hectic as it has been transferring and then only spending one semester on The Hill, a place that feels like my own home, I couldn't be happier.

As I mentioned before, I am currently interning at the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. Almost every year if not every semester of the Hamilton D.C. program, there is at least one intern from Hamilton in the Public Integrity Section--the attorneys here often joke that Hamilton College almost has a cult-like following in this section. Every day that I am here, I am presented with a new challenge. Whether it be compiling evidence for the trial attorneys, helping the paralegals prepare indictments, or dealing directly with the FBI, there is never a dull moment. I am still unsure as to what kind of law I would like to study after graduating from Hamilton, but the hands-on experience I am receiving here in D.C.  is truly unbelievable.

Though I have only spent a short time in this wonderful city, I can honestly say that it is one of the most interesting places to live. The last time I was in D.C. was for an eighth grade trip--it's amazing how much more you can appreciate your nation's capital with just a few more years of age under your belt. Taking trips to places such as the Newseum and the U.S Supreme Court has been a blast (it's almost surreal how much U.S. history you can see in one day). Though I do miss being on The Hill, this was an experience that I could not pass up and I look forward to having a great rest of the semester here in D.C. Oh, and as always....

GO BLUE