Finding friends when you're new in a big city is a lot like finding a job; you never know how and where you'll find them, and a friendship is formed when you least expect it, much like a job offer. Social networks and online portals are becoming popular for everything, including finding roommates, friends, and potential significant others. While some might be embarrassed to admit it, I'm not. My first friend, who will remain to be one of my closest that I've met since moving to Washington, DC, is someone that I met at the spur of the moment. While looking for potential roommates on Craigslist, a stranger reached out to me. A stranger turned to a friend quickly, one of my closest. If you do not work for a large consulting firm, where you work in teams, or for other organizations that hire lots of recent graduates, building friendships with co-workers can be a disappointing and impossible process. Though, I must say that I met one of my other closest friends while working as a temporary employee for a membership association in DC. Like anything else in life, everything is all about introductions and expanding your networks. Through mutual friends, I was able to build strong relationships with amazing people.
Moving to and living in a foreign city is not meant for everyone. You must have a certain personality and be willing to take initiative to seek out opportunities to meet people; putting yourself out there, and not being afraid to look outside of your comfort zone. Growing up, most of my friends came from very similar backgrounds; mostly all Jewish and came from upper-middle and upper class families. If I had to describe my immediate friend group in DC, I would say that we were a very diverse group, much like a blended fraternity or sorority. Each of us came from completely different backgrounds, had different interests, yet still shared a common connection that allowed us to strengthen our bond. While this may sound hypocritical, if you're someone like me who is easily frustrated by disconnection, then DC (any big city really) might not be for you. Described as one of the most transient cities, D.C. definitely left me in tears at times. In my two years, I've said goodbye to friends, who decided to take their talents to New York and Boston. I've never been one to stay tied down to one group or to have an exorbitant number of friends; I've definitely made some great friends here, who I hope to stay in touch with for many years (if not a lifetime).
Aside from brushing up on my knowledge in a social context, living in a city that is the hotbed for the nonprofit sector, I was able to pursue my passion after accepting an offer with one of the most recognizable nonprofit health brands in the country. Being able to follow my dream (at the time) of being an event planning professional for a nonprofit health organization, was both a blessing and an eye opening experience for me. We learn a lot about ourselves when we least expect it; an important lesson was learned on the job. Doing something as an extracurricular and volunteer activity has a different value than when you're performing it as a means of survival. I've always been passionate about raising awareness in the community and procuring funds for research for critical health issues. After being the middle-man, indirectly implementing change in the community and world, I'm ready, willing, and will be fully able (after I receive my MPH and complete my formal training in the field) to take the challenge, and work on designing health programs for children in developing countries, and interact directly with these communities as I strive to improve the overall health of children in low-resourced and low-income areas.
Living in Washington, DC, like anything in life, has been a large learning experience for me. Outside of college, it was the true test for me to survive on my own; forcing me to enter the gates of adulthood, and be a mature and financially responsible individual. I was afforded many wonderful opportunities in this city, able to build friendships and make the acquaintance with many invaluable figures, and most importantly I was stretched, bent, and perfectly molded into a stronger and more experienced individual; experience in both a professional and social context. Thank you to everyone who has played an instrumental role in my adventure in DC these past two years. I wish each and every one of you a life filled with nothing but success, health and happiness. Stay in touch, and always know that you have a home in New Orleans. Adieu!