I'm just wondering why everyone has decided to attend the forum. Is it to miss school, see D.C. learn how to stop a national crisis in Nigeria, meet new people? I'm going for at least two of the reasons I mentioned, guess which ones. What about everyone else

I'll bet ya that most people aren't going to stop a notional crisis, and I also bet ya that that's not what you'll remember the most.
The reason you should go is for the food: the hotel food is fabulous. Tastes like cardboard on steroids. :/

Another reason is to bulk up your college applications. That certainly was a factor in my decision to go. And... the food is relatively edible.

I'm going to feed the ever-hungry black hole that is my college resume.

Also, the program seemed vaguely interesting.

Honey, it's a lot of fun. You'll have a fabbo time, and I promise, you won't describe it later as vaguely interesting.

Wow I'm startin to feel out of my league here, I'm going for the week in D.C. the new experience, and the chance to escape the parentals. But all this college resume stuff, didn't even think of that. Must be because I'm a senior and didn't get accepted until after all my apps. were done. Oh well.

Yeah Im not going to college right away but I figured this experience would further help me in the Marine Corps since Im going into Intelligence.

eagleone, since you want to go into the Marine Corps (or just anyone who likes the military, being as I'm an Air Force girl myself), try to get Quantico as your site visit. Actually, anyone, try to get that. It's the only one where you don't have to dress professional, you get to eat at the chow hall, you get to shoot M16 and 9mm, and you get to go on this amphibious boatish thing. It's great fun. But truly though, any site visit you go to, you'll have fun. Except Pax River, which I heard was awful. There isn't even a river!

Also, a funny thing, eagleone. Whenever I see your name, I always think of my mom because that's her radio/walkietalkie "code name" thing on the base.

A vacation of course!!

I was just kidding about the "vaguely interesting" thing, I just thought it was funny no one had mentioned the actual program as a reason for going. Accursed emotionless internet...

i am going for fun. because i have never had an interest in intelligence, never even thought of going into diplomacy, and definitely would kill myself before joining the military (its just not my thing). but then again, i don't know anything about intelligence, diplomacy, and defense, so, this trip being a learning experience, i shall keep an open mind and maybe it turns out i find something interesting.

although i am pretty sure that all i want to do with my life is live in a cabin in the woods and write books, and this trip to d.c. will not really help me get anywhere on my way to the cabin.

Caroline Leigh-Hey thanx for the heads up, it really sounds like a great time....I cant wait to go.

Hi, I am going cause right now I am interested in becoming an FBI agent and also it will look good on my college applications.

Well I am going because I LOVE Washington D.C.! Then i am really into politics and government. But ya one of the main reasons is to meet all of ya'll! I can not wait it sounds like we are going to have sooo much FUN!!!

I decided to go because I'm pretty interested in current events, politics, and government and I'm excited to listen to all the speakers. However..I am scared to death of flying alone..I just am. haha. I'm also kind of scared for the simulation..I hope I can have enough information in my brain to not freeze up when I try to say something!

I myself am going for the expirence/fun. I want to work in diplomacy & I love DC.

Im going because i think the goverment is a big part of everyone and i love the military. My dads been in army/national guard for 27 yrs so im an army brat of a sort but love it. Hes deployed so wanna make him proud as heck. Plus my sister went to one like this and had a great time so i hope i will too.But like most of ya intrest in politics and goverment and military.

Yeah, I'm going because I'm interested in defense and intelligence work. Not so much diplomacy, although that fits with the other two. It's mostly going to be a really good learning experience, an excuse to go to DC, and a chance to get to listen to top-notch people talk about stuff they really know about.
Like someone else mentioned, I'm a little concerned about the stimulations and if anyone has any good websites/books they reccomend to read up on I'd love to know them.
I'm also a little concerned about flying. . .but I'm going through Milan rather than Heathrow or Frankfurt Main, which are both nightmares to fly through because you have to switch terminals. But enough about that.

I'm going because it's really expensive.

I want to run for president one day, I'm much more interested in the diplomacy part. As for the food im considering packing some of my own. Everyone here seems cool, im hoping I wont be the only jock type person there. Hit me up on AIM if you want, Habes309