Miss Ramirez goes to Washington (again)

I just got back from D.C.! While I’ve traveled to our nation’s capital before, my visits had always been day-trips and basically of the tourist-y nature, so it was exciting to spend almost a whole week in Washington in an academic setting. I was participating in a seminar focused on national security (particularly relevant after Dennis Blair’s recent resignation as National Intelligence Director).

We heard from many experts of the field, including officials from the Department of State, the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, the Army, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Department of the Treasury, the FBI, Amnesty International, and CBS News.

Naturally we did do a bit of sightseeing. I said “hi” to honest Abe once more, and met Mr. Thomas Jefferson for the first time. I also got to go to the Iwo Jima Memorial, which I had not done in the past. We also went to the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, the National Press Club, and the National Counterterrorism Center, all of which were super cool.

I felt really privileged to have had this opportunity, and all in all, I’m glad I experienced D.C. in a new way and that I learned so much! Here's hoping that I get the chance to live and work there one day soon!