HBU Junior Karla Freyre聽is so passionate about U.S. government that she set about researching and then securing an internship聽in Washington, D.C. She began her quest in the spring of 2017, contacting the office of U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan.聽His office聽sent her an application, and after a screening process, Freyre received word that she was selected to be a legislative intern聽that聽summer.
It would be Freyre鈥檚 first time to live away from her family, and her first聽trip to聽the聽capital聽city.聽She聽collected聽office attire聽and prepared for her adventure.聽鈥淚鈥檇 never been to D.C., so I didn鈥檛 know much about it,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was able to get an apartment a couple of blocks away from Capitol Hill. The internship was set to start two days after my last final. Leading up to the internship, I wasn鈥檛 sure if I was going to like it. I got on a plane the day after my last final. When I arrived, I loved it instantly.鈥�
Freyre immediately went about exploring the city, walking to museums and iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial.聽鈥淭here鈥檚 so much history.聽There was so much to do and learn,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think it鈥檚 very important to know about our nation鈥檚 history and why it was founded.鈥�
When she reported to work in the U.S. Capitol, Freyre聽was聽received warmly聽by staff,聽and met peers interning as well. 鈥淭here were people from all over the country who鈥檇聽come for the same purpose,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a misperception that people my age don鈥檛 care about the issues, but it鈥檚 nice to see that people聽like me聽are there for public service.聽It鈥檚 very easy to be negative about the state of certain things in the country, but you have to be optimistic to make a change.鈥�
Freyre聽investigated聽issues and wrote memorandums on pressing issues.聽鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of reading and research, but a lot of getting up and interacting and meeting different people too,鈥� she said.
She describes her meeting with Speaker Ryan: 鈥淗e was friendly; he is someone who I agree with on a lot of issues.鈥�
During a typical day,聽Freyre聽attended congressional hearings on聽matters聽ranging from technology聽concerns聽to gang violence.聽鈥淵ou get to hear from both sides of the political parties. They interview experts in the field, and they get to present their case. You鈥檙e seeing people talk about issues and seeing government at work,鈥澛爏he聽said. 鈥淚t brings an overall awareness about what鈥檚 going on.鈥�
The聽experience聽aptly combined her love of mass media and government, along with her faith. 鈥淔or me, as a Christian, I feel like my faith completely impacts the way I see politics. I have a moral obligation. It does affect my politics because I believe I have a moral responsibility,鈥澛燜reyre said. 鈥淚 saw the internship as a really big career opportunity. It鈥檚 one step closer聽to reaching what I ultimately want to do.鈥�
One of the biggest takeaways for Freyre聽is聽the ability to聽speak more easily with others. 鈥淚鈥檓 a very shy person, so the idea of shaking someone鈥檚 hand who has degrees and titles was very intimidating to me,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut you see how people are friendly and welcoming. I feel much more confident speaking with other people because I have that experience.鈥�
For other students who are interested in聽completing an internship, Freyre says, 鈥淭aking government classes at HBU聽illuminated聽the political process and sparked my interest a lot.聽There are opportunities to intern in D.C. or even with聽congresspeople聽locally. Have confidence and take initiative.鈥�
Freyre聽would聽even聽complete聽another internship if given the opportunity.
鈥淚t was聽confirmation聽to me that I really want to pursue government and public service and learn more,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 think politics gets a bad reputation. People tend to see disagreements as things they can鈥檛 overcome. But there are people who are making a difference.鈥�