Personal Narrative: The Washington Semester Program

“Life starts at the end of your comfort zone.” Is a quote I have constantly told others, encouraging them to step out of their safety zones and to experience life. But I truly did not understand the meaning of that quote until I stepped foot into Delta Hall in January. I had heard about the Washington Semester Program when I came to tour UGA my senior year of high school and I knew instantly that it was something I wanted to participate in. Since freshmen year I patiently waited until I could finally apply to the program and then before I knew it I was actually in Delta Hall, starting the program. I was out of my comfort zone, in a completely new city, away from friends and family – living with 31 strangers for an entire semester and there was no turning back. Looking back on this semester, I cannot believe how life changing it
I have enjoyed my major, but I did not have a clear path for after graduation and this program has helped me gain a clear direction. Listening to all the guest speakers we have had over the semester, I realized that every single person mentioned waiting a couple of years before going to graduate school. Furthermore, the graduate school panel we had was by far one of the most useful panels we have had this semester. All three of the panelists took different paths to get to graduate school but they made it very clear that graduate school should be used a tool to enhance a career and improve on skills that could help you go further in a job. Rather than just incurring debt and not using your graduate degree, it is supposed to be a gateway to the next step in our careers – advice that I have found super beneficial. I have decided to wait for graduate school and to build up a couple of years of experience first. I feel like I need some time to figure out what career path I am interested in before I jump into graduate or law