As the week draws to a close so too do the experiences of the first week in DC. From lunch with the South African Ambassador to meeting the SAWIP board and the formation of the SAWIP task teams this week has proved to be both challenging and exciting. In addition to the program events which are organized daily Wednesday brought with it the opportunity to begin my internship.

I am currently interning in the Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy and as imagined the opportunities are endless! From reviewing current policy in both America and South Africa to discussing issues within the labor sector and beginning the research report which I will present to the Office of Disability Employment Policy before I leave I am being both challenged and developed simultaneously.

Networking opportunities are cropping up left, right and centre and as I learn to perfect my elevator speech and network effectively I’m beginning to realize just how much I have grown as a person and as a leader over the past few months.

With the weekend fast approaching I’m looking forward to a little less work, a little more sightseeing and my first ice-cream social! A big thank you must go out to all the amazing host families and in particular my host family Mary Anne Sullivan and Larry Petro for making the transition to our lives in a foreign country so much easier!