Last week officially marked the end of my time working in Parliament and started the clock counting down to the end of my time in London. I have been lucky enough to gain significant experience both while still in high school and through Northeastern’s cooperative education program. However, my time working in the House of Commons has undoubtedly been my favorite experience thus far.
Not only was this experience completely different from anything I had done before, but it was also the most engaging and I was granted significantly more responsibility than I expected to be. As a House of Commons intern I compiled research briefings, drafted Early Day Motions and Parliamentary Questions to be tabled in the House. In addition, I also assisted in writing speech notes and researching for parliamentary debates.
Perhaps my favorite job responsibility, though, was staffing meetings of All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs). There are hundreds of All Party groups, each dedicated to a specific topics ranging from human rights to the sport of Golf in the UK. In addition to these, I also staffed report launches and meetings with foreign delegations.
Through these meetings I was able to meet a host of incredible people and learn more than I ever thought possible in such a short period of time. My in-office research complimented this experience well as I was able to connect the two components of my work and gradually become comfortable navigating the policies of my MP’s party very quickly and smoothly.
Over the course of my time in Westminster, the majesty of the building and its history never wore off. Even on my last day, it was still unbelievable to me that I was walking the same halls as Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher– or that I was working to shape the outcome of Brexit (even in my very limited role).
I was able to show a friend around the parliamentary estate this week and took what will likely be my last ever walk through the House of Commons chamber. As I think back to my past few months here in London it is unbelievable to me that I have been so close to history (and, of course, able to enjoy the intense theatrical performance that is Prime Minister’s Questions not once, but twice in the span of two months). It also amazes me that in such a short time, I have become used to writing in British English (as in favor becomes favour and program becomes programme automatically, having done this purposefully so often for work purposes).
While the work itself has been exceptional, so have the people I’ve met there. Since I worked with two MPs from a minor party, our team was quite small which meant that we all got to know one another quite well and it has been fascinating to see how each of my colleagues got to where they are today. One worked in European Parliament, another is in the British Army, one recently completed a dissertation– the range of experiences and interests was both humbling and inspiring and I am so lucky to have learned from such a wonderful group of young professionals.
Though my time went by quickly, this experience has helped me shape my plan for the rest of my time at Northeastern and will very likely have a strong influence on my plans post-graduation. As I look toward potential Dialogues and/or summer courses as well as my upcoming second co-op, I am excited to see what kinds of doors this experience will open for me.
I am, of course, interested in pursuing further opportunities outside of the continental United States, but am also greatly interested in our American government and how working in Congress may compare to working in Parliament. This has already pushed me to seek new opportunities in the US government and I am delighted to say that I have accepted a part time position working in the Massachusetts House of Representatives– an offer I attribute largely to my time in London as a Hansard Society Scholar.
As the program begins to draw to a close I am sad to think about leaving the home I have made for myself here and the friendships I have made with my fellow scholars who come from all over the world. I am lucky that a number of them will also be returning to Northeastern so we won’t be apart for long, but I also know that those who may be further out of reach will remain my friends for a very very long time.
The experiences we have shared here together have been nothing short of amazing and I feel lucky to have shared them with such an insightful, enthusiastic and dedicated group of students. As we prepare for exams this week it has been hard to come to terms with the fact that this program is coming to a close, but we have also made time to enjoy the holiday season here in London.
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From the Southbank Christmas market to ice skating at Somerset house, there is no shortage of festive study breaks to cheer us up. This past weekend, London also graced us with the first snowfall of the season (or at least it did for a little while anyway– it soon turned to rain) which made for the perfect setting for an evening at the Ballet, one of the things I’ve been hoping to do since arriving in London. I and a friend visiting from Germany enjoyed Project Polunin – Satori at the National Opera House. We also checked off some of the remaining things on my London list, including witnessing the view from the Shard and eating my way through Borough market.
With only a few days left, I am writing this as a study break from my exam revision and dissertation writing, but am also scheming ways to get in some of the last few things on my London list, including a visit to the Tate Modern art museum. I’m struggling to find a way to say goodbye to this city that will do my love for it justice, but check back next week to hear if I’ve found one and read some insights into my time on the Hansard Society Scholars Programme.
