Last night’s Democratic nominee debate on the UT campus was an incredible experience.  After volunteering the previous day and witnessing the work and effort that goes into setting up such an event, the day of the debate began with speakers from both camps as well as John King from CNN in our student lounge - just answering questions and candidly discussing both their careers and the upcoming event.  With those insights in mind, I watched the debate in a room full of my classmates, all of us actively engaging the issues ourselves and judging the responses in real time.  What a fascinating and intriguing opportunity, and one that I would not have had without going to the LBJ School of Public Affairs.  So in honor of that opportunity, I am counting today the top 5 reasons I am glad I am at the LBJ School.

5.  The Professors - while I may not agree with many of the professors I have encountered, to even have a chance to engage these knowledgeable and experienced individuals in the issues has really been a great thrill.  I have learned so much from some of these people who have dedicated their lives to the service with which I hope to also become involved.

4. The Skills - I have been able to exercise my writing abilities, but also expanded my presentation and researching skills, my ability to collaborate and work on a team, and leadership through extracurricular opportunities.  I think my critical thinking skills have been enhanced, as my eyes have been opened to varied and diverse policy issues as well as different points of view.

3. The Speakers - as just mentioned, I have been exposed to a variety of policy experts and practitioners with passionate beliefs on myriad issues, and I have delighted in learning about these concerns that otherwise I would not even be aware. 

2. The Opportunities - many of the top five are intertwined, and this one is almost an umbrella for them all, but I believe it to be important enough to have its own point.  The opportunity to dialogue with masters of issue areas, to lead diverse sets of classmates toward a common goal, to gain confidence in my own abilities, and to participate in fascinating pieces of the policy and political world - these opportunities are priceless.

1. The People - the fact is, far and above all the other reasons I am glad to have attend LBJ, I am so thankful to have met young people that think like I and are interested in the things I am interested in and, in the end, want to make the world a better place the way that I do.  I thought I was crazy before coming to LBJ; now I know that I am just part of a mass hysteria of the young that leads many of us to believe we can make a difference.  And I will testify that, of anyone out there, the people I have met at LBJ have the best chance of anyone to do just that.  I am lucky and blessed to have met every single classmate, and feel honored to be in the company of so many great people.

So I intend to get back to the blog a few times a week again, as it is a great medium to test out ideas and a good exercise for me to engage.  I have so little time right now to devote to anything, but one of the speakers yesterday said that in his experience people who can write well and quickly are the most valuable people on politics.  So practicing writing well and quickly, in this blog, must be a good skill to be practicing.  Thanks for your time, let me know what you think when you get the chance!