I have now been in Washington D.C for over two weeks and so far it has been the most amazing experience. Everything here from my classes and my internship at Smithsonian, to the whole social American university scene at GWU (I come from London, England) has far surpassed my expectations.

My internship with Smithsonian Magazine has been a truly remarkable experience so far. I have not been here long, but already I feel I received an incredible education not only on the media world – the way in which a magazine is run – and also on the hard work ethic of editors (although my internship mentor tends to exceed that!), but I have also received an incredible education on the world itself, its culture, languages, history and the people living there. This is only my 9th day working here and I have already done a vast amount of reading and research, from President’s heads in South Dakota, a young hip LA-based fashion designer and musicians and artists in New Orleans. I have also just finished fact-checking an article on the Acoma settlement in New Mexico. Having done this type of work, I feel I am becoming an integral part of the Smithsonian team and am starting to make a difference. My mentor is certainly not one to hold me back, and she is constantly providing me with diverse projects, which test my capabilities as a would-be Journalist. I believe all of these are essential if I am to form a realistic impression of what it is like to work at a publication like the Smithsonian Magazine.

The classes of the program have so far also been a brilliant education and introduction into the world of Journalism. The time spent on a Friday from 10am-5pm is more varied than I could have expected. Having graduated from The University of Nottingham last summer, I was used to classes simply comprising of lectures and seminars. So now, to have a mixture of journalists coming into to talk to us (Susan Morrison, who has worked for ABC, CBS and the New York Times talked to us last week on the changing face of American Journalism), trips out to news studios (this week we are going to Fox News) as well as lectures and discussions, is excellent and for me truly the best way to learn about world of Journalism. Our assignments are also remarkably diverse, with our first having to create a 3 minute news documentary. Now, just to note, if there is anyone out there like me, who does not revel in experimenting with technical equipment, do not fear! Here at SIWJ you will learn how to use equipment and how to develop your skills in every aspect of Journalism including writing, researching, filming and editing (on paper and film). It may seem frightening at first, but it will force you to learn about areas of Journalism that you have never experienced before. So don’t worry! The SIWJ Director, Amos, will get you through it! I have just finished filming the GW men’s basketball team and an interview with their coach, Coach Hobbs – and although I almost forgot to press the record button before the interview started – I have already developed a new skill which could prove to be very useful in the future.

Washington, D.C itself is also one of the best cities in the world I have been to. I have to confess I was a bit anxious about coming here originally, as unlike the big tourist spots like New York and San Francisco I really new nothing about it. Now, within only two weeks of being here I have already come to call it home. The location of the GW campus is particularly superb. I am living at City Hall  which is 10 minutes from Georgetown. Georgetown is a very attractive area and it is full of shops and restaurants, many which I have already sampled. The Metro is also just a two minute walk form my dorm which means most of D.C is pretty accessible. The social life here is also great, everyone I have met here has been so friendly and welcoming and have really helped me to settle in early on. You just have to throw yourself into the whole scene and hope for the best, which worked well for me.

I haven’t had much of an opportunity to make the most of many of the tourist attractions as my internship, classes, assignments and social life have pretty much occupied me for the last couple of weeks. However, Amos took us on a great tour of D.C on the first Friday which pointed out all the landmarks and important sights to visit, so hopefully within the next week or two I will get time to visit perhaps the Abraham Lincoln memorial, or the Washington monument and at least one of the Smithsonian Institute museums ( I am particularly interested by the Air and Space Museum).

Until then…

~Natalia

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