Many of you know that early last Spring, after much effort, including applications, letters, calls and emails, Ben was awarded an internship with Senator Susan Collins in her Washington, DC office. Needless to say, we couldn't have been more thrilled for him! What an opportunity for a Political Science major, and what a fabulous summer job to add to a resume!
He, along with 3 other college students, was selected to intern on Capital Hill for 6 weeks, beginning June 1st. The internship was a paid position but it was up to us find room and board for him. We searched Craig's List and Roll Call, a top DC paper and finally found a place called the International Student House. It is located in the Dupont Circle section of DC about 5 train stops from Ben's office in the Dirksen Senate Bldg. In order to stay at ISH, Ben had to fill out some extensive questionnaires and complete 3 essay questions about how and why he would be a good fit to be part of the house...and low and behold, he was in!
If you have the time, take a moment and click the link - the place was fabulous - Ben was really happy to be staying there - they take in students from all over the world who are in DC for school or internships, and they keep a housemate ratio of 80% international and 20% American students; this way the foreign students get a chance to learn about the culture of the USA first hand with people their own age.
The ISH House provided Ben a room, laundry facilities, Internet, group outings with the other housemates to tour DC, 3 meals a day and a large family style dinner each Sunday, so all the students could be together and share their experiences. Needless to say, a wonderful place to stay and now Ben has friends from all over the world.
On his first day of work, Ben met Senator Collins and got to pose for a photo...cheesy smile and all!
His work days were comprised of lots of memo writing, data/info gathering, filing, answering phones, and the best part for Ben, giving tours of the Capital Complex to visiting Mainers. He met many folks from all over Maine and got to share with them all of the highlights of the Capital Complex.
Collin's Office
One of his favorite parts of the job was getting to be a player on the State of Maine Senate Softball Team - here he is (furthest to the left) with the team, at his final game, with Senator Collins in attendance!
While in DC, he had a great time enjoying the sights - one of the highlights? The Washington DC Fourth of July Celebration which he watched from the National Mall with some of his new friends from the International Student House. He also spent some time with some CEHS Classmates who were also interning and spending time in DC this summer.
Currently Ben is back at Lehigh for his senior year....can you believe it? Seems like high school just finished up...hmmm...
Any who - He's in his first Off-Campus apartment, sharing a house with 3 other folks, some are students, some are not...but he says he doesn't see a lot of them anyway. He's keeping busy on campus with school and his newest gig as Assistant Sports Editor of The Brown & White, the Lehigh University Newspaper. To my knowledge, he'll still be writing columns from time to time as well as doing layout etc. I find the easiest way to check for new stories by Ben is to use the search box on The Brown and White home page and search "Rautenberg".
Ben was inducted into The Mustard & Cheese Society at Lehigh last Spring - it's one of the nation's oldest theater groups; this Fall they will be presenting The Twelfth Night. Ben has been cast into the role of a priest and also has a bit part during the intro portion of the play. He spent the summer reading the play and was pleased to get a role - this will be his first Shakespeare production.
He made it home last weekend during his Pacing Break and had the pleasure and privilege of visiting with his Great Grampy Downes just 2 days before he passed away.
He also shared his little sister's first birthday with her.
We are anxiously awaiting his next visit home during Thanksgiving!!
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