My semester in Washington, D.C. as a student at Rollins College has been an exhilarating and transformative experience. The moment I stepped off the plane, I was captivated by the rich history, vibrant culture, and bustling energy of the nation’s capital. From the iconic landmarks to the diverse neighborhoods, every corner of this city offered a unique and valuable opportunity for personal and academic growth.
Though D.C. wasn’t much of a culture shock for me as someone who grew up in big, international cities including New York, It was still different from every other place I have been and particularly Orlando. A common experience that I had in D.C. that came as a surprise to me was the way locals talk to people. Almost every person I met seemed to put so much more value on their profession than people in other places do. The first question was always about your career and education, where in the city you worked and where you lived almost as if they were gauging what your salary was. Though this isn’t necessarily unique to the city, it is very much the culture there to treat every interaction with a stranger as if it were happening at a networking event.
This was a bit new to me so, I had to learn to navigate conversations with people I met in D.C. but it did help me practice networking for when I would actually need it. As a someone who comes from a West African background, my priorities when meeting people doesn’t center around their profession rather it is about their family and their interests. Interactions also tend to be more lighthearted and amusing while in DC everything tends to be a bit serious and almost practiced. To me it felt a bit robotic and I had a hard time connecting with people because of it.
This experience with culture shock taught me how to be better at communicating with people and catching their cues. If I hadn’t noticed the differences in how people interact in DC compared to what I am accustomed to it would have resulted in some awkward conversations and people wouldn’t have taken me as seriously. Overall, I can say that my social skills have improved since I moved to D.C.
Reflecting on my semester in Washington, D.C., I am filled with gratitude for the incredible opportunities and personal growth I have experienced. The city’s dynamic environment, political significance, cultural diversity, and academic offerings have left an indelible mark on me. This transformative experience has not only expanded my knowledge and professional network but has also instilled in me a greater sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to lifelong learning. As I prepare to return to Rollins, I do so with a renewed passion and a determination to make a positive difference in the world, fueled by the memories and experiences gained during my semester in Washington, D.C.