Spending time in Washington DC was one of those experiences that quietly changed how I think about work, policy, and impact.

I was working at a human rights NGO, and what struck me most wasn’t just the subject matter, but the pace and seriousness with which people approached it. Conversations that felt abstract in lecturesL accountability, regulation, enforcement, were very real and very urgent in practice. You’d have meetings in the morning and see their implications play out in court filings or policy discussions almost immediately.

Outside of work, DC itself was an education. Being surrounded by people from completely different academic, cultural, and professional backgrounds pushed me to explain my thinking more clearly and listen more carefully. It made me more confident speaking up, but also more aware of what I still don’t know.

The experience reinforced how valuable international exposure can be, especially early on. It’s not just about a new city or a line on your CV,  but about seeing how ideas travel across borders, and how differently the same problems can be approached depending on context.

If you’re considering working or studying abroad, I’d really encourage it. It can feel daunting at first, but the perspective you gain stays with you long after you’re back home.