I made it! My TWC classmates, colleagues and I are here in Washington, D.C., eager as ever to begin this amazing adventure to further our careers and professional futures! What can be more exciting for an aspiring professional?

My flight in was easy, as always. Although, I will say I never want to lug around as much luggage as I did, 600 miles across the country. As soon as I got here, I was welcomed by the amazing TWC staff and the check-in process was made painless by the student services team in the Residential and Academic Facility (RAF). This place… is awesome! I thought I was at the wrong location at first because it looks like, feels like and is as clean as a hotel! So many amenities are provided to you and it makes the transition from your home to D.C. so easy. Major props to TWC for helping all of us along the way!

Orientation was exciting. I'm an extrovert by nature, says my Gemini horoscope, so meeting people here has not been difficult for me. My roommates are awesome.  The guys down the hall are awesome. The girls below me are awesome… what more can I say about the people I have met so far? Honeymoon stage? Of course. But I know there are plenty of fun, amazing adventures to come with these people and I can’t shake my excitement for that.

Last night a friend and I walked to the Capitol. Personally, I like the monuments and federal buildings at night. They seem almost perfect…er. Although I’ve been to D.C. before, the sights of the world’s most powerful city never gets old.

I will add, however, the construction here is beyond normal. In Michigan (or any other winter-stricken state) there are two seasons: winter and construction. But this is crazy! Everywhere you turn, there’s a hole in the ground or massive equipment turning over the earth. I don’t mind it. I see construction as a renovation of something important and if that means making Washington, D.C. more spectacular then I'm totally ok with a short detour. Take a look at the National Park Service’s low-down of what's happening and why!

I’ve only been here for 72 hours! The days have been long as ever but filled with new opportunities and friends. A long weekend is here and the “things to do list” keeps getting longer. I guess I should go meet more people and get crackin’ on that list! Before I know it, my 10-ish weeks here will be over… just like that.

This is one of many posts to come! My local news station says “when news breaks, we’ll break in” and you can be sure I’ll do the same. I'm excited to share my experiences in Washington, D.C. with you all and I hope you come back to keep up with all my life’s happenings.

A little about myself...

I am originally from Kalamazoo, Michigan, born and raised in the same general area all my young life until I moved (an hour away) to the Grand Rapids, Michigan area to being my education at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). I am going into my fourth year as a public administration major where I concentrate heavily on public health. A political science and statistics minor fill out the rest of my degree. I plan to get a Master’s Degree in Public Health after I (acceptance pending) complete a two-year commitment with Teach For America post-graduation from GVSU in April of 2013.  My passions include the public’s health, health education and the elimination of the achievement gap. Career goal: Epidemiologist in a major metropolitan area. Be sure to follow my every move on Twitter!