Hi All-
So, i've dabbled in the world of online journaling for some time now--mostly just to get my thoughts out during stressful or exciting times during senior year of high school or college. For the most part, I've really benefitted from doing this--whether it be because it is relaxing just to get all of my thoughts out there, a means of keeping in touch with friends or just because i love going back and remembering what was affecting me at a certain time. This time in particular, i've decided to make a journal to keep track of the next year of my life and so that i might share all of these experiences with others.
This fall, i will be interning in Washington, D.C. through the Washington Center internship program (http://www.twc.edu). I was just accepted to their international affairs program on Monday and will find out my internship assignment hopefully soon. I can't even begin to describe how excited i am for this experience (as many of you know, I've kind of outgrown the midwestern surroundings and am kind of thinking I might be an east coast girl...) So hopefully, this experience will solidify that assumption and also hopefully tell me if international relations is really the area that I want to be involved in for the rest of my life... (I'm hoping I might have some kind of epiphany in these four months there about what i'm supposed to do with my life...fingers crossed). Regardless, i ship out on August 28th and move in on August 30th and simply cannot wait for that time to come :)
After coming home for two weeks in December for Christmas, I will be going to Geneva, Switzerland in the Spring to study abroad through Kent State University. As if getting to spend four months in DC wasn't enough, I get to be surrounded by a beautiful lake, mountains and one of the greatest cities on earth (not to mention, being smack dab in the middle of Europe and having a 2 month EurRail pass at my disposal) This experience will hopefully not only allow me to have 4 months in a beautiful setting, but will also put me in an area where some of our world's top organizations are placed (WHO, WTO, UN, among others). Though a little on the pricey side (the infamous 8 dollar big macs and all...), I know that Geneva is going to be the right place for me... but the east coast move is the first priority.
Anyway, i look forward to keeping in touch with everyone and sharing this wonderful experience with all of you.

Take care~
aim