Harassing Congress (aka: our time on Capitol Hill)

The days here continue to be insane and insightful and delightful. This week, our focus has been on the U.S. government, the World Bank, and NGOs (non-government organizations). On Tuesday, I went to Representative Chellie Pingree's office with a few other Mainers and chatted with a staff member about environmental issues. After our chat, we visited the Senate gallery to watch the machine of electoral democracy at work... John McCain was rambling about some issue; we (the spectators) weren't even allowed to take notes; it was hard to hear because of the faulty microphones; and no one seemed to be listening to each other. It was disappointing to say the least. Between Wednesday and Thursday, we visited the World Bank, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), and Population Connection (an NGO). What struck me about all of these institutions was the distance between the decisions "up top" and the actual implementation of those decisions "down below." These organizations all seem to have good intentions, but their huge (sometimes global) scope means that something gets lost in translation. The voice of the communities they impact is often unheard or overlooked. But who knows? I'm no expert. My impressions and knowledge are limited. (And then again, so are theirs...)

Of course, we've had classes too. And homework. Wednesday night, I got precisely one hour of sleep. My first paper was due, and I was having some sort of quarter-life crisis. This program is already making me question everything I know (or think I know). During one of our group reflections, we all joked that "Rethinking Globalization" should be renamed "Rethinking Everything." At times, it's great to feel so vulnerable and confused, but at other times, it's fairly overwhelming. My moral and logical foundations are crumbling away. Fortunately, all of the students here are in the same boat. And they are wonderful company to feel confused with. Whether we're playing harmonica on the metro or singing in the stairwell or studying at 2am, we manage to have fun. We have an inside joke that we all suffer from "FOMA" (Fear Of Missing Anything), and it's true. It can be hard to go to bed when the conversations are so lively and there are so many wonderful opportunities. (And we haven't even left the States!)

Ah! There is so much more to say about IHP, so many wonderful moments, and I feel like what I've already written is somewhat vague and inadequate to capture the energy of this program. I'll write again soon.

With love and well wishes,
Maranda