91直播
La 91直播 students went beyond the textbook for policy conversations and personal growth on the Hill.
91直播 students headed to D.C to go beyond the classroom. Front row, left to right: Kayla McCray, 鈥26, Gvantsa Tvaliashvili, 鈥25, Jessica Perez-Salinas, 鈥25, Kelly Laguna, 鈥25, Lilly Billareal, 鈥28, Victoria Victor, 鈥25, Assamaou Gakou, 鈥26, Alliayh Suber, 鈥27, and Patrick Malloy, 鈥27. Back row, left to right: Bashirah Armstrong, 鈥27, John Palombaro, 鈥27, Cole Welsh, 鈥27, Lucas Dekaney, 鈥25,聽Lawrence Mani, 鈥26, Madison Griffin, 鈥25, Isabella Teti, 鈥28, and Sofia Frost, 28.
A recent study tour to Washington, D.C., proved transformative for a group of 91直播 students鈥攂oth in how they engaged with the nation鈥檚 capital and in how the capital responded to them.
Led by Mark Thomas, Ph.D., the students stepped confidently into the world of policy, diplomacy, and lawmaking, leaving behind something more than polite impressions鈥攖hey left impact. Across D.C., La 91直播 students stood out for their intellectual rigor, thoughtful questions, and unmistakable drive.
The student group included: Bashirah Armstrong, 鈥27, Lilly Billarrial, 鈥28, Lucas Dekaney, 鈥25, Sofia Frost, 鈥28, Assamaou Gakou, 鈥26, Madison Griffin, 鈥25, Kelly Laguna, 鈥25, Patrick Malloy, 鈥27, Lawrence Mani, 鈥26, Kayla McCray, 鈥26, Alliayh Suber, 鈥27, John Palombaro, 鈥27, Jessica Perez-Salinas, 鈥25, Isabella Teti, 鈥28, Gvantsa Tvaliashvili, 鈥25, Victoria Victor, 鈥25, and Cole Welsh, 鈥27.
Students explored political institutions, global policy think tanks, and sites of historical significance. They visited the Capitol, the Pentagon, and the Kenyan Embassy, as well as the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other civic landmarks.
The schedule was full, the learning intense, and the takeaways deeply personal. Griffin, a senior majoring in economics with a political science focus, shared:
鈥淚鈥檝e only been to D.C. once before, and this was a very different experience. It was fun鈥攁nd it was full.鈥
When a gap opened in their itinerary, the group was invited to the chambers of Superior Court Judge Shana Frost Matini, where they observed a live trial and spoke with the judge. This was a particularly meaningful experience for those interested in law, including Laguna.
鈥淚t helped me realign my motivations. I really enjoyed the aspects of the trip that were related to the impact of law in the U.S,鈥 she said.
鈥淥ne of my favorite parts of the trip was being able to see a superior judge preside over a case,鈥 Perez-Salinas said. 鈥淭hat really cemented the fact I want to go into law.鈥
But it wasn鈥檛 just site visits or high-level meetings that defined the experience. Students cooked together, navigated challenges side by side, and reflected deeply on what they鈥檇 learned鈥攏ot just about government but about themselves. The trip planted seeds for new career goals, new friendships, and new purposes.
Many are now pursuing internships and professional opportunities that emerged from the connections made in Washington. Plans are already in motion to return for future study tours, with the next one focused on domestic policy.
– Rafiga Imanova, MBA ’25