First week of work...

Well, a week of work behind me now and I actually feel like I'm beginning to "live the life" of a professional out here in the District (I'm trendy now and say "The District" like I'm cool). Anyway, Monday was basically getting our badges at "The CAB" (DHS headquarters building) and then had the afternoon off (again!). The rest of the week was mostly spent getting acclimated to my surroundings, getting phone and e-mail set up and finally plunging into scheduling my first visit. Basically,, my job is working on the International Visitors Program which is an initiative that helps bring law officials/state reps/ambassadors etc to the US to meet with officials in the Department of Homeland Security and more specifically ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to hear about what we do and possibly coordinate their efforts. This is a write-up on the program that the State department runs that is basically the same thing (we coordinate a lot of their visits with ICE officials):

The International Visitor Leadership Program operates under authority of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Fulbright-Hays Act). The emphasis of the program is to increase mutual understanding through communication at the personal and professional levels.

The International Visitor Leadership Program brings participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials overseas. More than 200 current and former Heads of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished world leaders in government and the private sector have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program.

The Department of State directs the program in cooperation with a wide range of non-profit organizations operating under cooperative agreements with the Department of State. The program also relies on the commitment and skills of over 95 community-based organizations across the country. They represent a wide range of institutions and expertise from universities to World Affairs Councils to all-volunteer. These organizations are known collectively as "Councils for International Visitors (CIVs)" associated under the umbrella organization of the National Council for International Visitors located in Washington, D.C.


Anyway, even though it's only been a week, I've really enjoyed my job so far. Everyone I work with is really interested in letting us (the interns) see all different aspects of not only DHS but the entire federal government as well. There has been talk of taking us on a tour of one of the airports with TSA officials to see what they do there (TSA is also a part of DHS--sick of acronyms yet? It's like HS all over again!!) as well as letting us spend a few days over at Interpol (again, another branch of DHS) to see what they do there. Additionally, we are always being encouraged to attend lectures and events held by different think tanks and universities that may pertain to what our office does. Friday, Jeff and I left work early to go see a lecture on Sex Trafficking at American University (Sex Trafficking is one of ICE's major focus as we are mainly concerned with the illegal movement of people (sex trafficking/human trafficking), drugs (drug trafficking, narcotics stuff) and money (money laundering, etc) across borders. However, upon our arrival at American, we discovered that the lecture was CANCELLED... So, that was kind of a bummer to get all the way up to AU and not get to see a lecture but we did stop by the School of International Service and pick up some information on their graduate programs. Though American's campus is definitely not my favorite of the Washington DC universities, their School of International Service is the best in the country for international affairs and their international law program is in the top ten so perhaps I can look past appearance... We'll see. Still a long way off anyway. Today, I was supposed to take a practice LSAT but the metro by our apartment is having track work done so the fact that I was already running late, combined with a 15 minute stand-still at Reagan ensured that I would not be taking the test today. Not to let the day go to waste, I got off at Metro Center at random and just began to walk. I stopped by the White House (you know how I roll), and then walked for another 20 minutes and found myself on GWU's campus (love it there), stopped and had a bagel and then proceeded to walk to Georgetown (only to miss the campus AGAIN) and stopped at a Whole Foods store just to see what it was like (I think I could definitely start eating organic if I wanted to... But it is just so darn expensive!). At this point, I was incredibly far from both the Foggy Bottom (GWU) metro stop and the next closest stop (Tenleytown/AU). So, since I had already been to GWU today, I decided to adventure up Wisconsin Ave. to the AU stop (which I am already very familiar with). On my way, I stumbled upon (literally stumbled upon...I have biffed so many times since I've been in DC people probably think I'm nuts) the National Cathedral so I decided to venture on in. It was beautiful (though it cannot really hold a candle to churches I've seen in Spain and France). Nevertheless, I took several pictures (soon to be up on Webshots) and just spent an hour gawking at it's enormity. There is just something about big cathedral churches that I absolutely love. Someday in my life, I would love to take a class on the art/architecture that goes into those. No matter where I am in the world, cathedrals are still some of my places to visit. Still, I maintain my opinion that the Sacre Coeur in Paris is the greatest church in the world. When I am rich and famous, that is where I am getting married. Write that down--you're all invited. Ha.

Alright, that was kind of an off-shoot. Tonight I'm just relaxing and staying in. I actually would have gone out tonight (I know...Minor lapse in my usual lame-ness) but the roomies are all either out with other people at exclusive parties or here (Amanda and Jeff stayed in to watch a movie...I decided it was probably best not to impose...) so here I am writing all about my life. Anyway, I miss all of you a whole lot- and wish I could celebrate birthdays with the 95 of you with birthdays this/next month...(Happy Birthday Diggy, Face, James, Meggie, PV!) Please do not hesitate to give me a call any time. I always love talking to all of you. And, as always, if you ever need a fun weekend get-away and have some money to blow, we have a pretty comfortable couch and a pretty sweet view :)


Oooh and a DOUBLE dose of my faux-xangazon this week because I finished "A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" which is now of my favorite books of all time...

Currently reading...Dreams From my Father by Barack Obama (who I am determined to shake hands with before the semester is through)

Currently listening to...All I Need- Mat Kearney (this song was featured on this week's season premiere of Grey's which made me love it more... though I was already in love with Mat Kearney prior to this. :) )

Love Always,

Amy