How DC Stacks Up: 2nd Edition

I ended up in Washington DC, again. I knew it was going to happen, and I typically prefer to avoid repeats in living situations, but I'm back in DC. I'm doing an internship (again), taking metro (again), exploring DC's finer arts (again), and taking two classes (unfortunately). Part of attending EMU requires students to do a "cross cultural" and because my life wasn't cross cultural enough, I'm in the Washington Community Scholars Center program killing time, money, summer and final requirements.

Being back in the city a second time brings back thoughts from last summer, it's also leading to some to some new adventures. But when the old and the new collide, it gives rise to some interesting and significant thoughts...at least that's what I think.

1) Politics Reign. Last summer I was in NGO world. This summer, I'm in advocacy world. I'm not sure exactly how I feel about it either. I'm working on education on policy issues which is brilliantly informative, yet I'm in the world of cutthroat partisan politics, and I dislike that. The Hill is a place of power, so there's power in understanding it and learning to play the game.

2) Race Reigns. I noticed race relations when I was in DC last summer, but this summer we're studying it intensively. It's confusing and perplexing to see institutional injustice happening right before my eyes. Images of racist Zimbabwe and Barack Obama's post-racial statements come to mind. What sort of world do we live in?

3) Gentrification Reigns. I didn't realize it last summer but DC is undergoing widespread and radical gentrification, perhaps most noticeably on H St and in Columbia Heights. I didn't notice it last summer because I didn't understand it. Now I realize exactly how much gentrification affects a community both negatively and positively, for whatever it's worth.

4) Heat Reigns. Call it climate change, call it insanity, but DC is so hot this summer. Last summer was unusually mild. This summer is awful. End of story.

5) Bikes Reign. I'm writing a research paper on cycling in DC. I have my beloved new black and red Fuji 2.0 with me. I realized just how popular cycling is becoming, especially as a cheap, healthy, and sustainable form of transport. DC had over 60 miles of bike lanes, tracks and paths and I'm embracing them.

6) Coffee Rules Supreme. I didn't drink much coffee last summer. I went to museums and spent time in solitude. This time, friends in tow, I hit coffee shops...repeatedly...and not Starbucks. It helps when you know people who love finding coffee shops and probably love your reaction...I mean...my reaction to a great cup of coffee is pretty enthusiastic. There's Tryst in Adams Morgan, Ebeneser's at Union, Kramerbooks & Afterwords at Dupont, and Leopolds in Georgetown. Coffee made the summer.

How to Learn to Live Overseas...in College

I'm a great global nomad. I excel at it, partly from so much experience. And then everything I knew about the world collapsed into Americana and because I have white skin, blue eyes and was born in the States, the expectations to conform into a "real American" were enormous. So I walked around my white American university disoriented and confused before deciding to take what I learned Stateside and apply it back to my overseas life. Actually, maybe I just applied my overseas life to the States. It's hard to tell. After all, living overseas is my greatest asset and what I know best.

Be Flexible: It's important to be a flexible human being. It's always super difficult, though I want to say it's more difficult when there are papers at stake. No matter where you are, or when you're there, you have to know when to go with the flow, and not take everything completely seriously. You can even take yourself completely serious all the time because you are a work in progress and every day is a learning experience.

Be Friendly: I learned in uni that people can be super unfriendly. In fact, it shocked me. I learned about in-groups and out-groups and cool-groups and strange groups. I went from core to periphery and back again before creating my own social group. I never went to high school, but this might have been the next best thing. I learned that, like overseas living, being friendly and honest is the best asset as a global nomad. In my nomadic experience (which is rather extensive, sorry), each global nomad has an absolutely amazing story that you don't want to miss. If you wind up totally lonely and miserable, it's your fault, which is ridiculous and unproductive.

Be a good writer: My dad says if you can write, you can eat. (He's older then me so I think he's right.) I studied applied sociology. I wrote. I wrote every single day. I wrote short papers and long papers and boring papers and had no time to write blog entries on subjects which I honestly enjoy. I wrote some pieces I'm proud of and some research projects I honestly enjoyed. And into the future, global nomads do a lot of writing. I shall use my improved writing...at least I think it improved.