Capital Beginnings

by Brooke De Jong (’26)

We have officially been in Washington for over two weeks, which has been a whirlwind of information, fun, and friends, but also a time for reflection. It didn’t feel real all the time leading up to this experience. Driving up from Winston-Salem was unreal. Move-in was unreal. Everything since orientation, the first day of my internship, and sight-seeing has been unreal. D.C. has always been my goal destination, and the adventure has been a dream. The friends I have already made on this journey are so special, and I am lucky to be surrounded by them this semester. We bonded immediately and have been such a strong group, for which I am so grateful. Between mastering the Metro, dinners, meeting fantastic alumni, and exploring the city, Wake Washington has provided me with a supportive and enriching environment.

The first week of D.C. began with my family helping me move in and making snow angels on the National Mall with my sister. Having the people closest to me in my favorite city was the best way to kick off the semester, as was the traditional class scavenger hunt. This cohort of Wake students is the first to experience an in-person presidential inauguration and all of the ups and downs that come with it. I had never navigated a city on security lockdown or lived in a place so politically active, which was eye-opening in many ways. We were extremely fortunate to have volunteered at and attended the North Carolina Society Inaugural Ball, a once-in-a-lifetime event; getting my old prom dress out to have a night of dancing, networking, and experiencing a new political culture was nothing short of amazing. I was taken aback by the class and glamour of the event and how grateful I was to be a part of it all. Inauguration Day took place on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and I wanted to visit his memorial by the Tidal Basin. I should have realized that with the high security and the Metro lines shut down to certain destinations, I would never make it past the Capital One Arena. We ventured out into the crowds of people in an attempt to get across town, which, while overwhelming, was a historic and interesting experience, to say the least. I finally visited the memorial exactly a week after the Inauguration. I hiked from the apartment, past the National Mall, and called many family members to check-in. I stood on a frozen Reflecting Pool and took time to people-watch and admire the ducks swimming in the melted sections. I took pictures of the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and World War II Memorial in a beautiful sunset. In the hustle and bustle of city life, I have found that the most profound moments have been in silence, by myself, just thinking about how lucky I am to be here and to reflect on how I’ve gotten to this point. The capital city is also the center of the political turmoil in this country, which is never lost on me. I found that visiting these memorials are places for personal peace and mental rest. The words engraved on this particular monument, “out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope,” are so powerful and spoke to me so clearly that day. It has been my favorite day in Washington so far.

Starting my internship at the Capitol Hill Consulting Group has been the highlight of my time in Washington so far. First-day jitters came and went, and I love exploring the multifaceted world of lobbying and political consulting. This is a new avenue in the world of politics for me, and it has been so educational for me, from covering congressional hearings to sending weekly updates to clients. I am constantly inspired by the people I work with and have learned more about trade, energy, tax, and health in the last two weeks than I ever expected.

I have already learned so many lessons. First, single-digit temperatures with ice and snow are not for the weak! Within the first week, I learned to be comfortable in the unknown and continue to learn how to go with the flow. This hasn’t been easy in what can feel like a high-pressure situation at times. One of the alumni taught us the following lesson, which I have embraced: it is okay to do (safe) things by yourself. While group events have proven to be fun and engaging, taking time to be by myself in meaningful moments has helped me adjust well to city life. I have also learned to find joy in the little things — talking to my mom on the phone, sharing a smile with a barista, and asking to pet all the dogs I possibly can. These small gestures or interactions have made me extremely happy, and I didn’t realize how much they would mean to me before I arrived. Also, for any future Wake Washington students- do your homework for the week on the weekends, as it will save you so much time and effort after a long day at work. One other thing — always listen to Jennifer!