Lydia Christensen
Internship: International Women's Forum

November 11, 2019 | Hi Everybody! I cannot believe it's already November! DC is absolutely stunning as autumn colors settle on the trees and the weather starts to cool down. Last weekend, I decided to make the most of the last warm days and visit some outdoor monuments. They were not only beautiful, but also inspiring as they gave me the opportunity to reflect on our nation’s rich history.

One of the most amazing experiences I have had this semester was the National Collegiate Security Council hosted by Georgetown University. It was a wonderful opportunity to be able to debate global policy with students from all over the DMV area and bond with the American University Model United Nations Team!

My favorite place to visit in all of DC would have to be the stunning Library of Congress. It is a truly gorgeous masterpiece complete with murals, mosaics, and enriching quotes. I am never not awe-struck when I visit this historic place.

Lydia Christensen
Internship: International women's forum

October 14, 2019 | Hi everybody! Welcome back to month two of Cornerstone DC Student Experience! We’ve all met, so I’ll skip the pleasantries and let’s dive right in! This week my roommate and I journeyed to the American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery for an artistic weekend adventure! In this photo, I am standing in front of the famous “Electronic Superhighway” display. In addition to this gorgeous display, we also visited the phenomenal portrait of President Obama! It was an absolutely wonderful day!

I am so excited to say that I have been selected as a Freshman Fellow for the American University Student Government Women’s Initiative. This student organization strives to make AU’s campus a more inclusive, educated, and safe community and addresses gender and sexuality based issues. The Women’s Initiative recently had the distinct honor of hosting Representative Alma S. Adams on campus to speak about the black, maternal health crisis and what citizens should be doing to raise awareness and support regarding this crucial topic. It was such a surreal experience to hear from someone like Representative Adams and I cannot wait to continue to serve the student body with such an amazing group of women.

While this semester has been absolutely packed with wonderful experiences, the best so far is the opportunity I had to meet Representative Ayanna Pressley. One of my favorite things about living in the DC area is its close access to powerful civic engagement activities. As students in the city, we truly have the unique chance to be a part of impactful movements and to have our voices heard. While attending a protest against Kavanagh’s seat on the Supreme Court, Ayanna Pressley was featured as a speaker for the event. I was so honored to have the chance to speak with Representative Pressley and to thank her for the work she does. I could not have asked for a more incredible day.

Lydia Christensen
Internship: International women's forum

September 23, 2019 | Hi Everybody! I cannot wait to dive into all the amazing stories and experiences I’ve gathered while living in the nation’s capital as a Cornerstone DC student, but first I believe an introduction is in order! My name is Lydia Christensen and I am from the small, rural town of Twin Falls, Idaho. As you can imagine, transitioning from life in a quiet, agricultural community to the bustling city of Washington DC has been quite the journey, but a wonderful one nonetheless! I am a Freshman at American University where I plan to double major in “Law and Government” and “Gender Studies.” Cornerstone DC has been an incredible way to kick off the next four years of my life here in DC at American University and I am so glad you’ll be tagging along for this semester’s adventures!

My first few weeks at American University have been absolutely surreal! As I walk through the gorgeous campus filled with blooming flowers and marble buildings, I am awestruck that I am actually here! I am certainly excited to call myself an AU Eagle! As a Cornerstone DC student, I truly get to experience the best of both worlds, as I spend half my time in the busy heart of the city serving as an intern for the International Women’s Forum, and the other half taking classes in the calm refuge that is AU’s campus. Internships and classes are most definitely not all there is to life here at AU! The extracurricular opportunities are abundant and always growing.

After a few weeks on campus, I discovered that AU’s Model United Nations Team was ranked 5th in North America! As a lover of speech, politics, and human rights advocacy I knew I had to try out! I was incredibly nervous because I had never competed in Model UN before, but after an intense and competitive try-out session, I am overjoyed to say I am now a member of the American University Model United Nations Team! This picture shows the new team at the first simulation of the season at the George Washington University! I cannot wait for what the rest of the season has in store for us!

Finally, would I really be living in Washington, DC if I did not take advantage of the beautiful and iconic monuments, museums, and exhibits that surround me? I think both you and I can agree the answer to that question is “absolutely not!” I am constantly amazed at the rich history this city has to offer. Everyday I learn something new simply by exploring Washington, DC and I could not think of a better place to call my new home!