Emile “Em” Vasquez Mejia ’24 spent the fall 2023 semester living and learning in Washington, D.C., through Hamilton’s D.C. Program. The anthropology major and Posse Scholar shares here some of her favorite experiences and what she learned about city life, herself, and her future.
Em Vasquez Mejia ’24 Hometown: Miami High School: Jose Marti MAST 6-12 Academy
As a first-generation DACA student, going to college was something that seemed nearly impossible for me. Even though I got good grades and helped members of my community – mainly fellow DACA recipients – my legal status and my family’s financial circumstances felt like obstacles to my future.
Thanks to my high school guidance counselor, Mr. Milian, who believed in me and Posse for seeing my potential, I got a call during my senior year from Hamilton to “get [my] snow boots ready!”
During my freshman year at Hamilton, I took Principles of Anthropology, which sparked my interest in ethnography and how various cultural traditions have changed throughout history, including immigration culture in the United States. As senior year loomed, I imagined pursuing a career as an immigration lawyer since the U.S. Immigration policy impacts me, my friends, and my family. I wanted to help individuals who may feel like they have no future, especially because of their legal status in this country. I applied for the D.C. Program so I could live in the nation’s capital for three months and find out if this was what I wanted to do.
I have always been independent, but this was a new kind of independence. “You adapt easily” is a common phrase my loved ones say to me. Going to D.C. was just another life transition that I would figure out.
Despite being used to living on my own, the D.C. program made me feel like a “full adult.” I had my own set of keys to my apartment that had a kitchen, and I had to budget my money, cook meals for myself, and always be attentive to my surroundings. Acclimating to a new place was hectic. Despite the metro being cleaner and easier to navigate than New York City, I managed to get lost twice. Google Maps soon became my best friend.
There were a lot of cooking nights and it turned out to be a therapeutic practice for me after a long day at work. One night, Kat and I hosted taco night and I made carne con tajadas with and for the other three Hamilton students.
I loved the living space. I would hang outside often, went out for runs, got more connected through nature, I loved having access to the museums, the art, the music, the food. So much greatness! When I wanted to clear my head, I went to the roof of the apartment and journaled with my favorite music playing in the background.
I quickly learned that groceries are expensive. I never felt more connected to my mom than when she would say, “Hay comida en la casa” (“There is food at home”). After countless calls to her asking how to season the food, I realized that I genuinely enjoy cooking! My roommate, Kat, and I often made butter chicken with garlic naan along with pupusas since they were Kat’s favorite dishes from my home country of Honduras.
Exploring the Capital
My goal was to make the best of my time in D.C. because I wanted to try new things. I went on Eventbrite and looked up “D.C. networking events near me” to find places to network and talk to people. I really wanted to get out of my comfort zone to build connections. The Hamilton students also enjoyed a tour of the most touristy places with our program director, Professor of Government Phil Klinkner. I can honestly say that I loved the city. Here are a few things I did during the semester.
The Library of Congress was on my bucket list of places I wanted to visit.
I visited the zoo, but I did not see the pandas before they were returned to China.
I took a garden tour at the White House.
I finished several academic papers at Kramer’s in Dupont Circle on my favorite couch (under the stairs).
We went to a Nationals game! The last baseball game I went to was when I was 11.
I went on several hiking trips, and my favorite was going to Shenandoah National Park with some coworkers, which is where I saw this gorgeous sunset!
I went to a comedy show at Hotbed with my best friend who came to visit from Miami.
One of my biggest regrets is not going horseback riding at Rock Creek Park. I did go on runs and enjoyed how the leaves changed colors in the fall.
I enjoyed the warm weather and went kayaking at Georgetown waterfront with some friends.
I found a church near me and I was able to find a community of girls with the same values as mine.
I visited as many museums as possible, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture. (They are free!)
I joined the kickball team with my company, the Bipartisan Policy Center, and we bonded over the fact that we were not as good as we thought.
I attended a Brookings event on foreign policy where they spoke about whether the U.S. should pursue a cold war with China.
I tried new foods, including Thai, Korean, Chinese, Lebanese, and vegetarian food. My favorite spots included Bar Chinois (Chinatown), Smokehouse (brunch!), and Jumbo Slice Pizza in Adams Morgan (the best pizza, in my opinion).
My Classes, Research & Internship
The D.C. Program has four components: the internship, a seminar class, an independent study, and an excursion component that focuses on networking and tourism. However, because I have a year-long thesis, I had to take a fifth “class” that included data collection for my research. Although my goal in D.C. was to discover my future endeavors, I was also on a mission to complete ethnographical work. My observations focused on how the D.C. program regenerates the professional working class, how students interact with the real world by "adulting" when taken out of the Hamilton "bubble," and how this liminal experience affects their perception of the institution after the program.
For my internship, I joined the immigration team at the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC)**, a think tank focused on policy change.
During my time at BPC, I analyzed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security border apprehension’s data set to make policy recommendations, compiled weekly immigration legislation updates, and published a blog post on border policy and legislation. I also supported the development of the biweekly immigration podcast “This Week in Immigration,” a podcast that I had listened to regularly before I got to D.C. I fan-girled over the fact that I got to edit the script for it!
I love BPC and the people. I met very interesting people who want interns to succeed. The staff are incredibly supportive and are willing to grab coffee and chat. The company aspires to collaboratively work with people from different backgrounds to find common ground since, according to BPC, “democracy depends on bipartisanship.”
Internships are a way to learn what you enjoy doing and what you don’t. I enjoyed my time working for the immigration team, but it struck me that policy may not be what I want to work in right now. After meeting Chief of Staff to Rep. Morgan McGarvey Amy Soenksen ’13 (a Hamilton D.C. Program alum!), I realized that I like management work and I enjoy taking on big projects and leading people toward a common goal.
After my semester in D.C., I was offered the chance to continue interning for the BPC remotely as a development intern for the spring semester. I updated customer relationship management (CRM) and RelSci databases to add and maintain accurate constituent information. I researched funding prospects from The Giving Pledge by cross-referencing pledge signers’ past philanthropic work that supported BPC's values while also looking at SEC Filings forms 10-K and 990s of partnering corporations including but not limited to: Apple, Amazon, and Google. I learned a lot from my supervisor, including the processes behind sustaining a non-profit, donor stewardship, and a glimpse of my preferred work environment. I am currently building on the skills I gained from Hamilton’s Advancement Office where I am a student assistant for Events & Promotions and intern with the Multicultural Alumni Relations Committee. I hope to pursue a career in development within the nonprofit sector and continue to support the immigrant community in different ways.
One BPC event I got to attend was the Senate Debate project, which featured Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Chris Coons discussing different topics and finding a middle ground. And in some cases, they did! After the debate, I asked one of my supervisors if I could meet Rubio, who is my state representative, and he took me backstage and I was able to meet both senators.
Ethnographic gossip time with my thesis advisor, Chaise LaDousa, on our weekly calls!
Hamilton in D.C.
It can sometimes feel like there are exclusive social circles on campus, but Hamilton’s alumni community — the “Hamily” — I experienced in D.C. is welcoming and strong, which made me feel safe and hopeful. There were several events throughout the semester where we got to connect with alumni from the area.
As a senior, it is a bit overwhelming to know that I will graduate soon and my whole life is going to change. I felt a sense of relief every time a Hamilton alum would tell me, “You are okay, you do not need to stay at the first job that you get” or “Don’t worry, I changed my career midway through my master’s.” These words of encouragement made me feel like there was a safety net that I could fall back on even after graduation.
When I went to D.C., I hoped the experience would reaffirm my plan to become an immigration lawyer. Instead, I learned that path may not be what’s best for me right now. Being part of this program gave me the reassurance that I will be okay. Not only do I have the opportunity to uncover the infinite possibilities that could be my career, but there is a big Hamilton alumni community that will support me along the way.
“The Hamily I experienced in D.C. is strong. [Their] words of encouragement made me feel like there was a safety net that I could fall back on even after graduation. [They] made me feel proud to be a Continental.”
The alumni I met made me feel proud to be a Continental.
**Note: In April 2023, Hamilton became the first liberal arts college to partner with the Bipartisan Policy Center. The collaboration, which connects Hamilton’s widely acclaimed Common Ground program and BPC’s University Partnership Program, is designed to help develop the next generation of independent thinkers and engaged citizens. Em is Hamilton’s inaugural BPC intern since the partnership was established.
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