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Experiencing the nation's capital

By Karl Olson '08
February 14, 2007

American University's Washington Semester offers academic classes and professional internships to college students across the country and around the world. The Washington, D.C., program, which began more than 50 years ago, enables students to study the capital's culture from an insider's perspective. St. Olaf has done the program for more than 20 years and is considered a member school. About four Ole students participate each year.

As an American Studies major about to enter my third year at St. Olaf, I decided this would be a valuable Interim experience. Coming off a summer spent in rural Montana as a camp counselor, my entry into Washington, D.C., -- a city with an extensive public transportation and more than 25 national parks and monuments, not to mention control over the nation's federal legal system -- was a dramatic transition and a stark contrast to my first two years at St. Olaf.

At times the sheer density of Washington, D.C., was stifling. It seemed to me that the locals didn't need much personal space and I found the absence of open land, especially compared to Northfield's rolling fields, to be suffocating. But there was still the National Mall and all of the monuments (which I visited repeatedly), and sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, looking toward the Washington Monument and the Capitol, provided me with some of my most tranquil experiences.

I learned quickly that Washington has its own unique culture and is filled with ambitious people who seem to be endlessly networking and shaking hands. Business cards are like currency, particularly with younger people looking to advance professionally. The competitive atmosphere was intimidating, but in time I learned to enjoy it.

In and out of class

The Washington Semester program offered several classes and I selected "American Politics" which focused on the three branches of government, national security and public policy topics, including education, energy, entitlements, drugs and campaign finance reform. Our professor used his substantial Washington connections to bring notable speakers to class, thus introducing us to the intricacies of federal government. These speakers, who had strong opinions on topics related to their areas of expertise, included Brent Scowcroft, former National Security Adviser to George H.W. Bush; Samuel Alito, the recently nominated Supreme Court Justice; and longtime CBS News correspondent Bob Scheiffer.

I found Jack Valenti to be especially inspirational. A World War II bomber pilot, assistant to President Lyndon B. Johnson and later president of the Motion Picture of America Association, Valenti spoke of the need for personal sacrifice and how a voluntary military segregates society. He encouraged us to take leadership roles, something he defines as "wisdom and courage and a great carelessness of self," noting that, "LBJ modeled carelessness when he signed the Civil Rights Act in 1963."

Beyond the classroom, thanks to the efforts of Katherine Barnett '79, I had an internship at the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a nonprofit organization in Virginia that provides free legal advice to journalists. The staff was welcoming and gave me writing assignments that were meaningful. I also had the opportunity to speak with several media lawyers from the Associated Press, the Washington Post, Gannett and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ole support

As a child of two St. Olaf alumni, I've always heard about the post-St. Olaf community, the community that brings Oles together, the quintessential example of the phrase "It's a small world." I experienced this one cool October morning in front of Union Station. I was wearing my St. Olaf fleece jacket when Amy Gillespie '88 stopped me mid-walk to ask if I was a graduate. I told her that I was still a student and was studying locally. Amy gave me her business card, told me to e-mail her and later invited me to dinner with three other alumni where not only did I have a great meal, but I learned practical lessons about finding a job and considering law school.

Ole camaraderie in Washington, D.C., was personified in Katherine Barnett. Prior to my Interim experience, Katherine responded promptly when I inquired about internship possibilities in Washington and I found myself writing her long messages about my interests and career aspirations. A few weeks into June, Katherine told me about an internship opportunity at the Reporters Committee and before I knew it I had a job offer, and my stress level dropped significantly.

Katherine called me again on a rainy day in November, the day before Thanksgiving, wanting to know if I had a place to have dinner. I did not, although my St. Olaf roommate was visiting. Katherine invited both of us over for an evening of magnificent food and engaging conversation. I always will remember the hospitality and welcome I received from Katherine and others from the post-St. Olaf community.

I'll look forward to returning to this remarkable city and one day returning the graciousness that Oles offered me.

Contact Carole Engblom at 507-786-3271 or leigh@stolaf.edu.