Catching Potomac Fever: Veasey realizes dream of living in the nation's capital

Courtney Ruth

Reporter

She’s cute, intelligent and full of life. Her favorite color is pink, and she is about to storm Washington, D.C. No, it is not Elle Woods of “Legally Blonde 2.” It is Milligan College’s own Melanie Veasey.

“I am ready to rock my white, little, Christian world," Veasey said.

This active junior is acting out a dream by living in the nation’s capital next semester. She has wanted to live in Washington, D.C. since she was a young girl, so when her academic advisor Bert Allen suggested an internship through the American Studies Program (ASP), Veasey jumped at the opportunity.

Allen approached Veasey with the opportunity at the beginning of her sophomore year. Combining her excitement and determination to be one of the 40 students accepted, she sent her application in early but had to wait almost an entire year before she found out she had been accepted.

Veasey will be working 20 to 25 hours a week at the Children's Law Center to earn 16 hours of college credit.

Veasey, who is majoring in public leadership and service with a minor in legal studies, said she wants to be a child advocate. She is unsure if she wants to approach the job more from a law or a social science angle.

“Hopefully this will help me work some of that out,” Veasey said.

For all the excitement she is feeling, Veasey is also nervous. After living in South Carolina, her family moved to the Johnson City area when she was seven years old. Because of that, she feels at home here at Milligan. Interning in Washington D.C. will be all new faces for Veasey.

Another difference for Veasey will be how she gets around. In order to drive a car in Washington, D.C. an individual must be a resident of the area for at least one year. This leaves Veasey to rely on the Metro in order to get around.

“It’s a big change from what I'm used to,” Veasey said.

One of the challenges she will face at the Children’s Law Center is dealing with the liberal child advocates. Veasey, who is a conservative, said this will be a good opportunity to learn how to “incorporate Christian values into work.”

Veasey said she chose to participate in the internship her junior year because of her heavy involvement in school and the local area. She is a resident assistant for Sutton Hall, co-chair of social affairs and an intern at First Christian Church in Johnson City.

“I want to spend my senior year here,” Veasey said.

The opportunity will not cost Veasey more than she currently pays for school. She will have to pay Milligan tuition, about $500 for her application and deposit fee, and for food and transportation. Her semester is also two weeks shorter than Milligan's, lasting from Jan.19 to April 30.

ASP is a part of bestsemester.com, an organization that offers internships around the world in a variety of vocations.