Hey! I’m Hector. I was selected as a part of a small group of young people in my state — Queretaro, in Mexico — to receive a scholarship to attend the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars in Washington, D.C.

Hector with other scholarship recipients.

The arrangements were settled before everything else. As you can imagine, suddenly everyone has perfect advice for your trip — some very useful and others not so much. Each of them came with good intentions, however. I remember that someone even told me that the best idea for me to get to Washington, D.C., was to set out on a road trip across nearly half of the continent — a one-week journey in order to admire the best landscapes I could ever imagine. I thanked him for his suggestion and moved on. However, ultimately they all contributed to increasing my excitement to get here — I just couldn’t wait.

The day finally arrived

Everything was ready. From making sure I´d packed everything and that the zipper on my bag would not explode after fitting inside more than it could carry, to hugs, gifts, good wishes — even a little crying form my grandma — seemed surreal while sitting in an airplane on my way here. Those moments, along with the view of the beautiful Gulf of Mexico — would be the first memories of a journey that was just about to begin.

After my brother's experience of spending a semester in D.C., I knew that it was going to be one of the most enduring memories of my life. It is all about living in the political center of everything— talking to ambassadors along the Potomac River, jogging with congressmen through the National Mall, spending Thanksgiving with people from all around the world and maybe even taking a glance of the President of the United States! All of that during a period when elections are taking place. After being here for just one week I can assure you of one thing: there is more to the TWC experience than I could ever imagine!

Once I stepped into the doors of the Residential and Academic Facility of the Washington Center on the 1005, 3rd Street N.E., Washington, D.C., I came to find out just how worth it all the pre-semester planning was.

The main entrance to TWC's Residential and Academic Facility.

The first day I got there I had to admit I was feeling really excited and also a little scared. What if I didn’t like my roommates or they didn’t like me either? Then I met Mike, Brenden and Mano and they all turned out to be really nice guys. So, I guess that everything just starts falling into place at the right time. Once we had a little time to meet each other we got ready for the orientation talks. That is the time when you get to learn more about the rules, history and goals of TWC. Additionally, this was actually the first time I got to see all of the students that became a part of the fall semester at TWC.

New roommates hanging around at the RAF.

There were all kinds of people with lots of different career goals and objectives to achieve during the upcoming semester. That’s when you really get to talk with and meet students from all around the world, and get a glance of the dream they are in pursuit of. It’s just something I had never experienced before.

Hector, and many other TWC students, at fall orientation.

During the last couple of days we have had lots of time to familiarize ourselves with the city. From museums to baseball games, it is all part of a place that’s so big that I´m afraid I won´t have enough time to get to know completely. But I could certainly assure that every way you look, you´ll find something new to discover. Even if it's just a “public air pumping device” for your bike, that is really something else!

Taking in a first-place Nationals ballgame!

I remember that in my way over here I was sitting in an airplane when the flight attendant gave me a glass of water and a napkin that said: “Ultimate to do list”. Now I know I ´ve accomplished one of those goals.

Hector at the Lincoln Memorial.

I am very aware that my experience here is just starting, but I get overwhelmed just by thinking all the great things I will encounter on my way in the upcoming months. This is not someplace where you can waste time doing nothing. This is a place when you really need to test yourself and I am sure that The Washington Center gives you the best little push to become a new person and find out what are you really capable of.

So, let the journey begin!