We finally arrived in D.C, laden with laptops, pressed suits and John Carlin reading essentials. After 23 hours of travel and jet-lag enervation, we were hit by the wave of Washington humidity and the ferocity of our first D.C mosquito bites.
 
We then split from the nurturing SAWIP team and were dispersed to our allocated host families. I must admit that after having sat elbow-to-elbow with Thami for the length of the journey, I felt a tad bit of separation anxietyJ.  It was only after being met by my host mother and driving up to Capital Hill that it began to dawn on me that we were really here. The anticipation and excitement over the past few months felt nothing in comparison to the exhilaration felt now. I knew immediately that this experience would be indelibly imprinted.
 
Our SAWIP management team left no time to squander. And the very next day we were fully immersed into our leadership program, followed by a high ropes team building activity, and yes the ropes were high, incredibly high! We were met by the 31 Irish interns who we found to be exceptionally friendly, warm and engaging.
 
 
We have now been in DC for 8 days, and it has truly been the inspiring experience that I had hoped it to be. This program has exceeded my expectations in almost every possible way. I want to say an immense thank you to our dedicated and self-less management team (Jean and Thami), as well as Megan Farrel for allowing us the opportunity to be part of this D.C reality.
 
Just a note to myself: Ease up on the Starbucks coffee!