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At first glance, a university immersion trip may not seem very appealing at first. Going into it, I expected to strictly work on my resume, to grin from ear to ear in front of CEOs, in hopes of landing a summer internship.

But my assumptions were entirely wrong. I can assure you, the experience is worth your spring break.

Syracuse University’s D.C. Immersion trip launched in 2012 as an opportunity for sophomores and juniors to experience Washington, D.C. and Baltimore by engaging with more than 15,000 alumni and visiting companies, such as AARP and NASA.

Twenty students have the chance to experience life beyond University Hill, and I was lucky enough to be one of them.

If you know me personally, you know I have a deep passion for public service. I aspire to become a policy analyst for the federal government and pursue my career goals by moving to the district. This immersion trip gave me a glimpse at life after graduation.

A huge lesson I took from my trip is that alumni don’t bite. During our alumni dinner, we discussed the political state of global politics over a great Afghan meal. I had the chance to share my career goals and listen intently to alumni stories. As one alum described his current position, I hoped to make the conversation more personable.

I took a risk and asked, “Have you ever heard the story of the boy who boiled a skull in Flint Hall?”

It felt like a bold move, especially since I was trying to leave a lasting impression. But, to my surprise and three other students at the table, an alum responded with both humor and honesty.

“Well, no, but I used to break into mausoleums for fun,” he said.

Weirdly enough, this is the exact direction I wanted the conversation to take.

As other students began sharing their stories, I realized I was far too focused on networking and engaging in career-driven conversations. I could’ve taken a more personal approach, asking alumni about their time on campus.

Oftentimes, students fear exploring social connections with alumni, especially in professional settings, as they’re expected to help open doors for our careers. For this reason, I was used to seeing alumni as untouchable, older adults who can dictate my future. Other students might feel this way, as we face the pressure of deciding the rest of our lives within the span of four years.

But, traveling to the district taught me that alumni want to get to know us beyond our career ambitions. Some may want to hear about the latest parties on campus, and others want to know which countries we’ve traveled to.

For the rest of my time in D.C., I challenged myself to ask at least one question that didn’t relate to career development. In doing so, I fostered deeper conversations with alumni and eventually learned that Brewster, Boland and Brockway have always been undesirable dorms.

But the most memorable way I made the most of my time in the district was riding a scooter at midnight.

Now, this was completely out of my comfort zone. I had just received a pep talk from three girls who participated in our late-night adventure, insisting there’s more to life than waiting for street lights to turn green, and cars won’t hit you if you’re fast enough.

For once, on that scooter, I held a level of freedom I never experienced at home. It’s exactly how I imagine life might feel after graduation if I move to D.C.

Surprisingly, side quests were a highlight of the trip. One night, Talkin’ Tacos wasn’t fully cutting it as a meal. In collective agreement, a few of the girls and I booked a Lyft to Virginia at 2 a.m. We enjoyed a $10 hibachi meal that would’ve been roughly $30 in Syracuse. For a college student, this was a reasonable trip to take when you’re tired of the same food.

D.C. provided me with the chance to explore my sense of independence, outside of a spontaneous walk to a party on Euclid Avenue.

My experience with the D.C. Immersion Trip was more than an opportunity to realize I am closer to entering the job market than I thought. Rather, it was my chance to explore what it meant to learn from alumni. I had the opportunity to ride outside my comfort zone and create memories with like-minded people.

When applying to the D.C. Immersion Trip in your sophomore or junior year, I want to emphasize the importance of creating memorable experiences that expand beyond your academic and career goals.

Take a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and arrive earlier, as two hours isn’t enough to take in the beauty of the museum. Visit campuses such as Howard University and witness how Black excellence can flourish in D.C.

This is still your spring break, enjoy it.

Derry Oliver is a sophomore majoring in policy studies and law, society and policy with a minor in African American studies. She can be reached at djoliver@syr.edu.

Published on March 25, 2026 at 8:47 pm