By Tja Shorr

I never thought I would find myself in the middle of the election season in my last semester of college standing in the heart of Washington, DC.

But here I am. And I couldn’t be happier. 

The CU in DC Media Track program – that partners with the Washington Media Institute – has been one of my most fulfilling, enriching, extensive and exhausting semesters of my college career, and I have loved every moment of it.

I love how busy I am throughout the day, interning from 10-5pm and then walking home through the colorful leaves and cobblestone streets. I like to admire the brick and pillared houses, some with leftover Halloween decorations and some already decked out Christmas décor, while I head to class.

It’s a non-stop energy – and yet every part of the day is filled with something new, something challenging, something exciting, and something important.

I’ve toured most of the museums, seen the Gettysburg battlefield, and explored the Capitol. I’ve hosted exclusive events at Moncler, a Jill Kargman Book Signing Party, Bethesda Row, The Hepburn, CityCenterDC, and Room & Board through my internship at BrandlinkDC. I’ve met famous authors, fashion bloggers, painters, and news reporters through my classes and internship. And I can say I have done all I could to take it all in and soak up the sights and scenes so unique and special to Washington, DC.

This semester is so different because it packages and delivers so much in one program. I have learned tech skills and how to create video projects that, as a News Editorial major, I never thought I could learn to do. I’ve held responsibility at an elite public relations internship where I learned that I was capable and confident undertaking complex tasks with lots of pressure attached to it.

It’s been a hard semester, but definitely worth it. It’s so different from being at CU Boulder – where I have attended the last 3 years – because it’s a completely different place, different schedule, different people – all with such a cool, upbeat energy here in Washington, DC.

I share a unit with 4 other girls who also attend CU Boulder, and together we’ve become great friends – sharing laughs, hanging out, and going on weekend explorations in the city. Nearing the end of the program, I can see how much I’ve grown and how much I’ve learned here – maybe even more so than I have from a year at CU Boulder.

I graduate after this semester, so I feel like I’m halfway in between going to school and getting a full time job – and this program has been the perfect stepping stone. The Media Track program has given me a semester of challenges, adventures, and true friendships that have allowed me to graduate feeling especially accomplished and deserving.

No, this program is not easy – it’s not a stroll in the park, partying and clubbing every night like one might expect out of a semester abroad – but it’s an adventure and it’s challenging and it’s so, so much more interesting and relevant to thriving in the changing world of media. Through this program, I’ve learned skills and I’ve learned things about myself that will allow me to go out into the world and really make an impact and a career out of something I’m passionate about. Those are things not taught in school, but definitely accomplished through the Media Track program.

So if you’re up for a challenge and an adventure and something totally new and out of this world, I say go for it and do this program! I sure did and it made all the difference.

Originally posted December 8, 2016