Civic Education Workshop in Washington D.C.

It's amazing how quickly time flies - I've been in the USA for three months now, and today I'd like to tell you about my highlight of November so far: The Civic Education Workshop in Washington D.C., from which I just returned to Idaho.

The week was not only educational, but simply breathtaking. I thought our visit to Capitol Hill was particularly cool. We were able to move around freely in small groups and even take part in a hearing on artificial intelligence. Witnessing the debate in the House of Representatives and the vote in the Senate live showed me how vibrant democracy can be.

Another highlight was our day at the Department of State. We listened to a presentation by an officer from the German Embassy and then took part in a super exciting diplomatic simulation. The challenge: to deal with a virtual refugee crisis caused by discriminatory laws. As a representative and spokesperson for the United States, I was right in the middle of the action and was allowed to present the results.

I was really impressed by the Library of Congress. This cool library with its beautiful architecture and huge collection of books was amazing. A place that emphasizes the importance of knowledge and education in a cool way.

We also had the opportunity to meet with representatives and senators from our states and report on the CBYX program.

Now I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving and the upcoming Advent season.