The cons though: Social life...pretty much out the window (Hello study and hopefully either returning to my jobs on campus or getting something to actually support the over $1,200 monthly bills for school I'll have), Toledo traffic (bunch of crazy people), inability for me to work full time and finish school (yes I realize many people pull this off, but I take care of my grandmother full time when not in school or at work if gramps isn't around), no more true pubs, no more easy public transportation, goodbye to the large diverse population, hello to being expected to tip 15 to 20% when I get any food delivered or eat out, trying to figure out sales tax in my head (I'm horrible with this)...
I will stop with the cons as it's too depressing.
On to the highlights of my trip..which are many:
- An internship with State Department at the U.S. Embassy in London
- Queen's Jubilee
- Free Museums
- Krispy Kreme Donuts...from Krispy Kreme stands
- Making friends easily
- Starting my journey of learning Polish
- Friday night visits to pubs with awesome people
- Working in SCS
-Working in Passports
-Working for the CG
- Being delegated as lead on research survey for Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Becoming part of a team to initiate culling of backlog cases
- Meeting the First Lady and getting to shake her hand
- Going to the Olympics for free because of the generosity of a fellow colleague
- Day trip to Canterbury
- Seeing my friends finally play hockey
- Birthday with my best friend and his daughter, and then being invited to dinner with the CG and his family (His daughter is awesome!)- Apples to Apples with a lovely group of people
- Pizza and a movie with Margaret
- Visiting the Polish Center and Polish restaurants
- Getting my hair cut
I know this summer has had ups and downs, but overall it has been the best experience of my life.
Hey Nikki! My name is Emily Tedesco and I am putting together my application for the same State Department internship you did this summer. It looks like you had a really rewarding and fulfilling experience in London. Your blog gives me the chills to read, because I've had my eye on this Fellowship for well over a year.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you would be willing to send me an email with any suggestions or advice about what went into your successful application. I attend Berry College, a small, private liberal arts school in North Georgia that not a lot of people have heard about. So, I anticipate competing with a lot of Ivy League students.
My school email is Emily.tedesco@vikings.berry.edu and I would love to hear from you.
Good luck in the following year, and congratulations on being awarded such a prestigious honor!
Sincerely,
Emily