Alfredo Oliveira

I had a great opportunity to spend the summer in Washington, D.C., interning in the Office of Senator Al Franken (D-MN).  This experience was amazing and crucial to understand what I have learned in the classroom. I had the deep my understanding of how our government works and connect with scholars, reporters, representatives and senators from all over the nation.

For three months I learned more about the U.S. Capitol, gave tours to Minnesotans visiting the capital, talked to constituents and met with many interest groups. If it wasn't for the connections and experiences I have had at St. Cloud State University through the Honors Program, I would not be as well prepared to fully execute this internship.

I wish every American or individuals who love American government/politics would have the opportunity to spend a few months in Washington, D.C. For three months this past summer, I did an internship at the United States Senate in the office of U.S. Senator Al Franken (D-MN). The opportunity to learn how our government works, from the “inside of the beltway", was eye-opening and rewarding experience. On a daily basis I talked to Minnesotans who called to express their concerns and gratitude to the work the Senator is doing in the nation’s capital.

It was great to have the opportunity to relate to what I learned in my classes at St. Cloud State University. Also, from all the Honors workshops and seminar I have attended, I felt confident to network with scholars, reporters, representatives and senators from all over the nation. This experience would not have been possible if it wasn’t for the people I have met at SCSU and being a student in the Honors program. This experience not only gave me a life lesson but hit the four pillars of the University:

1. Community Engagement – talking to constituents on a daily basis has been one of the most eye opening experiences.
2. Active Learning - applying what I learned in the classroom could not have been better. As a political science student, I had a chance to learn and have a wholly experience of our government. One of my tasks was to give tours of the United States Capitol to Minnesotans visiting Washington.
3. Sustainability in its broadest sense – It was while in D.C. that President Obama pitched for new ways to prevent global warming. This generated conversation in our office and country.
4. Globalization – As an intern in the National Security and Foreign Affairs for the legislative team, I had a chance to meet with people from other cultures and learn more about what is going on in the world.

I returned to Minnesota with a different perspective of the work it’s done in Washington. The respect I have for public officials is greater than before because it is not easy to represent thousands of citizens which have different opinions about state and national issues.

- Alfredo Oliveira