Week 10 - Saying Goodbye

Time for Goodbyes

This week feels bittersweet--I feel like I spent majority of my time writing letters and packing. I also spent a good chunk of my time hanging out with my HEP CAMP friends and other interns I met this summer. I have grown so much this whole summer. I am grateful for all the progress I have made professionally and personally. I have made so many friends and my network has widened.

Last week, my co-intern Hannia from UFW wished me goodbye. It was so sad that I did not get to say bye in person because I was on the Hill. I am not worried because I know that we will meet again. I will see a lot of the friends I made during the summer again, but some of them I might not see. My communication, leadership, and collaboration skills have developed tremendously. I am more independent than I was when I first came into the program. One thing I was scared at first was getting lost using the train system, but now I know which line to take without using GPS. Actually, that's a bit of a stretch because I still get lost. One thing I will miss is the walkable area. In Fresno, California, everyone uses their car. It's rare to see people walking. I will miss my walks to the monuments. I will also miss my HEP CAMP family. They each have helped me grow professionally and personally. I am so grateful to be part of a group that empowers each other. It's so sad departing from them. They made my Washington D.C. experience enriching, along with the friends I made in Washington D.C. that I will also miss.

My mentor invited me for one last dinner before I leave Washington D.C. She made one of my favorite desserts--flan! I am so grateful for her. When I think about what an amazing thing it was to be placed in such a wonderful group, I start tearing up. Everybody from HEP CAMP and CHCI is so amazing and smart. I am going to miss them all so much. I am not ready to leave Washington D.C., but my family and friends are waiting for me back home. I am excited to reunite with them. I miss my parents so much! It's goodbye to the Capitol for now, but I will return.

Below I've included a picture of before and after the HEP CAMP internship. William, one of the HEP CAMP interns is from California and we came to Washington D.C. on a plane and now we are headed back. The first picture is us on the way to Washington D.C., and the second picture is us heading back to California.

P.S.: In the second picture we look so tired because William decided to choose an early flight.