Leah Reed

This week I had the opportunity to catch up with one of the most Hillsdalian women I know, Leah. A junior English major, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, and a lifetime resident of Hillsdale, Michigan, Leah has been in DC this fall participating in the Washington Hillsdale Internship Program (WHIP). Leah told us about her internship at the Charles Koch Institute as an Events and Logistics Intern and about her experiences thus far of living in the Hillsdale House in Capitol Hill.

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DC is a long way from Michigan! What do you think about WHIP and the city life?

I’ve always lived in small towns in Michigan, so DC is definitely new for me. The city is filled with tons of history and great museums—most of them are free. It’s been great to have access to the attractions and great restaurants that we don’t have in Hillsdale, but it has also helped me learn about the places I might want to live (definitely smaller cities and towns) and the jobs I might want to pursue.

Do you like the Hillsdale House and the Kirby Center? Is it nice to have a part of Hillsdale with you in Washington, DC?

The Hillsdale House, located in a convenient and safe area, is nice because you are surrounded by familiar people even though you are living in a new city. The Kirby Center is great because it gives you another common area outside of the House. The building is beautiful, and it’s a great place for studying.

What is it like trying to balance the working like and the city life on top of your academic life?

I’m taking National Security Studies and the Virtues of Statesmanship. Working a 40 hour week and taking classes is difficult, especially with the amount of reading and paper writing that is required. That being said, I love National Security Studies. Dr. Lowery works at the Pentagon and has a great understanding of so many topics!

Well, we sure miss you here on campus! Are you Hillsdale-homesick?

I miss the life of a normal college student. I miss Kappa and my friends there. But interestingly, I think the “Hillsdale Bubble” is still very strong here. Most of us are working at liberty-minded think tanks and non-profits that are similar to Hillsdale’s core beliefs. WHIP has made me see that the world is larger than Hillsdale, but Hillsdale’s mission can be pursued in larger cities.