I’ve heard that DC is “the place to be” especially for young, politically driven individuals. When I first got here, however, it was anything but that for me. One day it’s 100 degree weather with air so thick you can cut through it with a knife and crazy thunderstorms the next. One minute I’m furiously melting away under the sun and the next I’m running away from a tree about to fall on my head. People here always seem so busy and rushing everywhere they go-I get run into on the street at least once a day. “Stand RIGHT, walk LEFT” is all I hear…When I first arrived, I missed California so much, where, for starters, everyone stands calmly on escalators, the weather is always beautiful, and the people are friendly and laid back. I thought DC would never get better. But SALDEF and the SikhLEAD program changed EVERYTHING. The people in the program are so friendly and go out of their way to organize activities and networking events for us. The local Sikhs are always handing out business cards and open to talking to us about anything. Most of us, confused and lost in our life path, appreciate the generosity of these professionals.
With my fellow SikhLEAD interns during our hike.
Through SikhLEAD I’ve also had the opportunity to experience DC in a way I never imagined. One of my favorite events so far was a morning hike with all the other interns. We got up early, packed our bags with tons of snacks, and hiked a beautiful trail up to where we could see the river and mountains. It was such a great bonding event and I was so happy to get to know my fellow interns better.
Outside the Supreme Court before the health care act verdict was read!
I’ve also learned to take advantage of DC and all it has to offer. Two weeks ago, I slept outside the Supreme Court so I could physically witness the Justices reading their opinions on the health care law. That’s probably one of the craziest things I’ve ever done- I mean, I slept on the sidewalk! It was TOTALLY worth it, though, to be in the same courtroom with all the Supreme Court Justices while they read the verdict on the biggest health care decision in decades. I was literally witnessing history in the making. The verdict, and in particular the opinion of Chief Justice Roberts, has been referenced dozens of times a day since then, and it feels amazing to know that I was actually THERE and heard it first-hand. Granted, I had no idea what the verdict was at the beginning (neither did CNN or Fox news apparently), but I was one of the first 100 people in the United States to know the result! DC has been an amazing experience, and although I do still miss California, thanks to SALDEF and SikhLEAD and everyone involved-I’m learning to take advantage of the most influential cities in the world. -Amrita Sehgal
