Inside Washington Seminar Reflection

Written By: Alexandra Calzadilla

First-Person Experience

(Alexandra Calzadilla/StoryBytes)

Feb. 18, 2026

MIAMI — When I went to the Washington Inside Seminar at the Washington Center, I felt like I was seeing D.C. truly for the first time. I was able to become part of political discussions, explore D.C. behind the scenes, and make new friends through the trip. When Venezuela’s president, Nicholas Maduro, was captured by the U.S. military, I felt a wave of relief after my country had been under oppression for so many years, but also a paralyzing fear. I also found people in the seminar often asking me for my opinion of the current political climate in Venezuela, since I still have family who live there. I felt like I could engage with so many people of so many backgrounds and had a safe space to share my thoughts and ideas on U.S. policy.

Maybe it was the length of the discussions or the weather, but I eventually found myself sick on the trip. Instead of letting that stop me, I still explored, though, with a runny nose and constant cough. I connected with students from many different MDC campuses and schools from all over the nation, and the fact that we did an activity every day allowed for friendship to fester. My highlights were going to the Library of Congress or to the National Mall at night. A lot of our other outings were not so planned. We explored used bookstores near Capitol Hill, went to local markets, and when we were exploring Georgetown, we faced one of the windiest days of the trip yet, freezing to our toes at 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Afterwards, we still decided to get some cupcakes while the soft gold of the sun set on the campus. We also decided to explore Chinatown, drinking boba tea through its neon lights and eating hot ramen after a cold day.

(Abdulla Guc/Unsplash)

Another one of my highlights was the cozy moments inside of the seminar’s apartments. We had movie nights while getting sugar crashes from chocolate-chip cookies, and before leaving, we did a potluck. I can still remember the screams and laughs when we played Hangman and impostor while eating my friends’ leftovers.

I still reminisce about Washington, D.C., sometimes, thinking about the many amazing opportunities to learn and the many people I would have never thought would become my best friends. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to attend this seminar, and I am especially grateful for those who helped make this possible for me (Shoutout to Professor Sendin).

I encourage anyone who is interested in attending the Washington Seminar to apply. I left beyond satisfied with the trip and full of knowledge I did not have before. Getting to know Washington with a group of people who want to learn just as much as you do is a chance you do not want to miss out on!

(Louis Velasquez/Unsplash)