Date Started: Aug. 31, 2011
Date Returning: Dec. 17, 2011
Course: 21st Century U.S. Foreign Policy: Dynamics of Change
Year: Senior
Major: English
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Entry No. 6 | Dec. 5, 2011
Hello All,
One of the best things about living and working in Washington, D.C., is the people you may happen to run into. A few weeks ago, as I got off work, I was walking toward the Metro station and I noticed an older gentleman who looked like former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. I was unsure at first, so I scurried alongside this gentleman to get a closer look. I still was not sure, but at this point I HAD to find out.
Before I could muster the courage to say something, another gentleman made a statement and lo and behold Donald Rumsfeld turned around, waved, and walked away very quickly.
I just stood there confused by what just happened.
Was I the only one who noticed that? Why isn’t anyone else shocked? Is this normal in this town? I was floored.
I was also at an event at the U.S. Capitol and I walked past Senator Joe Lieberman. While it may not seem as random, considering I was at the U.S. Capitol, it was still unexpected because it is not every day that you run into a Senator, especially one that you recognize.
I know occurrences like this would have never happened in Tampa, and that is why deciding to do this internship was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Best,
Teddy
Entry No. 5 | Nov. 9, 2011
Hey guys,
I was recently asked to write a blog entry for Empowered Women International, which is an organization that gives immigrant women a platform to showcase their artistic and cultural skills and promotes entrepreneurship among women.
I decided to write about three extraordinary women, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Liberian president, and Tawakkol Karman of Yemen, who recently was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
If you guys can check out my blog posting it would mean the world to me.
Here is the link to the blog entry: Nobel Ambitions.
Best,
Teddy Grant
Entry No. 4 | Oct. 31, 2011
Hey guys,
Sorry for the delay in a blog updates, as things have become much busier on my end. Work has been going well and so has the program, as I continue to meet many amazing people and experience many amazing things.
We had an opportunity to meet with the legislative staff of Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and that was such a great experience, especially since we met in his office on Capitol Hill. While it was initially disappointing not being able to meet with the Senator himself, his staff was well informed and engaged with Senator Nelson’s policies, which was truly a delight. I managed to ask questions about his recent stance on the Iranian government and the worsening economic situation in Florida. I am grateful that I was able to ask questions about issues that truly mattered to me, and that it was answered by the staff of a politician that I truly admire.
His staff expressed excitement over his upcoming reelection campaign and highlighted his commitment to better serve the people of Florida.
Best,
Teddy
Entry No. 3 | Sept. 22, 2011
Hello all,
Exhausted!!! There is no other word to describe how I feel after these last two weeks. I only see my BFF “sleep” on Saturday and Sundays and even then our relationship hasn’t been on the best of terms. Sorry sleep… I still love you!
I knew when I decided to sign up for this program that it would be intense, but this is really INTENSE. On top of the mountains of work that I have to do at my job, I also have a class with a lot of reading--oh did I forget to mention that he said he was going to teach this like a graduate course? Did I also mention that I am not in graduate school? *bangs head on table* I also have a lot of work to do for my actual program with The Washington Center, which involves volunteering and creating a massive proposal that will be evaluated.
Even with ALL of this, I am beyond grateful that I am here. I am meeting new people and attending events that normal people wouldn’t be able to even attend. I know my hard work will pay off in the end, and I am blessed to have this amazing opportunity; I will not let it go to waste.
Best,
Teddy
Entry No. 2 | Sept. 15, 2011
Hello all,
Sorry for taking so long to update, but it has been a very busy week here in Washington. I have started my second week of work and it has been a blast so far. Last week, I worked directly with the President and CEO of the nonprofit I work for, and I was able to hear some of his ideas on the future of his organization.
I had the opportunity to attend a meeting with my boss where I sat down with the ambassador the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was such an honor to be a part of that meeting, even though I stayed silent for the most part and took down notes. Not everyone can say they have met an ambassador before and I am glad to be a new member of that group. Being a part of that meeting further proved that I definitely made the right choice to intern in D.C. for the semester.
I also had the privilege to visit the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. It is truly breathtaking and a true work of art, and I would encourage anyone who lives or visits Washington to check it out. It is a well deserved memorial for a man who stood up and fought for what he believed in during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.
My first week was exciting and I hope the momentum continues during my time here.
Best,
Teddy
Entry No. 1 | Sept. 6, 2011
Hello all,
My name is Teddy Grant and I am a senior at the University of South Florida, majoring in English. A great opportunity arose and I just knew that I had to jump on it. Through this wonderful program called The Washington Center, I am able to live, work and go to school in the nation’s capital for the fall semester.
I will be interning at a nonprofit called Leadership Africa USA, which helps educate and empower Africa’s youth. I am so honored to be working for an organization that is truly trying to make a difference in these kid’s lives.
If someone had told me a year ago that I would be living in Washington, D.C., for a few months, I probably would’ve rolled my eyes and dismissed them, but here I am and I couldn’t be more excited for this experience.
I have only been here for a few days and I have already conquered the Metro, been evacuated from a museum because there was a “mysterious package” found by the Canadian Embassy, and have met some amazing people.
This is already shaping up to be an exciting and adventurous three months.
Best,
Teddy