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Home / News - FOS Slovak Scholars Report on Georgetown Summer Institutes Experience
FOS Slovak Scholars Report on Georgetown Summer Institutes Experience Being back in Slovakia, in my usual routine, it is hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, I sat at a breakfast table with a member of the House of Representatives, waited in line for a security check at the Senate, and discussed the economy of climate change in class. Yet I did all those things and many more. This summer, I was given the opportunity by The Fund for American Studies and Friends of Slovakia to experience Washington as a student, intern, and, of course, a tourist, all at the same time. I attended three courses at Georgetown University, which focused on different aspects of lobbying and government-business relations in general. In addition to that, each of the eight weeks was filled with guest lectures, site briefings, and workshops to provide us with a better understanding of how Washington works. Washington, however, is like an anthill. You must be one of the ants to really understand its seemingly chaotic whirl. An internship at the U. S. Steel Government Relations office was such a first-hand experience. It enabled me to peek behind the curtain of media coverage by simply going to the congressional hearings and to see the roots of many issues by attending meetings or talking with Scott Salmon, my supervisor. It makes me happy that I also brought my little bit to the Hill, literally as well as figuratively, by helping to draft a letter in favor of the visa waiver extension. I feel like I learned a lot at U. S. Steel, and I enjoyed it. Friends of Slovakia played an important role in showing me Washington from a perspective other than that of a student or an intern. I was honored by an invitation to the dinner at Ambassador Kacer’s residence. An interesting experience for me was to hear guest speakers at Mr. Tucker’s country club, and to talk with guests at the gathering at Mr. and Mrs. Slavik’s. I owe special thanks to Sharon Fisher that I got to see parts of D. C. other than the usual tourist area. It is very cold and rainy in Slovakia now. It is hard to believe that only a few weeks ago I was cooking in the humidity and heat of Washington. Yet I clearly recall waiting in the midday sun beneath the Washington Monument for a tour. It was wonderful. Memories of this summer will stay with me forever and so will all the new experiences gained throughout the program. Jana Šebošíková I want to thank Friends of Slovakia very much for its generosity in providing my scholarship; this allowed me to study at Georgetown University through the Fund’s Institute of Philanthropy and Voluntary Service. The Georgetown University campus is beautiful. The sports facilities on campus are very nice, and the opportunity to live with American classmates afforded me a unique opportunity. I especially enjoyed the experiences that I was privileged to have with FOS members personally. It was a great honor to meet Slovak Ambassador Kacer over dinner. I met so many very interesting people that now serve as an inspiration for my life. I will graduate in August from Wageningen University in the Netherlands, so the classes at Georgetown have afforded me the experience of a lifetime that will not soon be forgotten. Professor Mitchell’s class on Tocqueville’s Democracy in America was the most stimulating for me. The Fund for American Studies and FOS have provided multiple opportunities for us to grow, both personally and intellectually. I was happy to have the chance to hear guest speakers at lunches and go on trips. My internship at the Student Conservation Association was the most rewarding. I learned a lot about non-profit organizations, and this knowledge will greatly assist me in my future work. Thank you again for facilitating me in this life-altering experience.Without the support of FOS this would not have been possible. Martin Korcek |