Lights, Camera, Monuments: 200 Future Doctors Take On D.C. by Night

As the day neared its end, interns returned to the streets of DC for their long-awaited Monument Tour! 

Following a busy first day of check-ins that brought nearly 200 future health professionals to campus from around the country, the magic of the internship continued as students boarded the buses for the highly anticipated Washington, D.C. monument tour. 

As the sun began to set, the scenic ride took them straight to the heart of the National Mall, serving as a beloved staple of the internship experience and a great icebreaker. The historic backdrop provided a relaxed environment for the interns to unwind, chat, and connect with their Team Leads. After a long day of diving into the complex, systematic makeup of the Nigerian health system, interns were rapidly transformed from a group of traveling strangers into tightly knit teams.

Once they arrived, the teams set out on foot to explore the historic grounds together under the illuminated night sky. At the World War II Memorial, interns crowded around the fountains to spot their home states and take pictures to send to their families. The energy reached a peak at the towering Lincoln Memorial, where teams competed to strike their most creative poses for the highly competitive contest for the most creative photo capturing group photos at every stop to commemorate their new friendships.

The classic D.C. outing perfectly set the tone for the rest of the night. By the time the buses pulled back up to LXR Hall, the initial nervous excitement of travel day had entirely vanished, replaced by the foundation of great friendships. The team bonding transitioned from the national monuments to the dorm lounges, where interns and Team Leads wrapped up the long day by playing games on the floors, chatting about the day’s activities, and getting to know each other more.

Watching these supportive relationships form so rapidly on day one, we cannot wait to see how this exceptional cohort collaborates throughout the rest of the week!