Voices of Light: Erica.6

Hallå!
My name is Erica and I am a 21 year old lighting design student from Sweden. I study Lighting Design at Jönköping University, and I got the amazing opportunity to do my internship here in the US with Hartranft Lighting Design, and Andrea Hartranft. In this series of blogposts you will follow me and learn about my experiences here in the US.

Washington Monument

Selfie at The White House

Walking around DC

Week Six
It has been six incredible weeks, full of experiences and I have learned so incredible much. I wanted to make this last blog post fun and it will be a bit whimsical but I hope you enjoy it. 

Lets start of with some quick facts:

• Amount of selfies: One and it was of course with The White House. The only thing that could beat a selfie with The White House would have been one with Obama but he was busy. 
• Number of new foods/dishes that I have tried: I tried to count and I think that it is 15 but I have honestly lost count. Andrea has introduced me to the most amazing dishes and she has really made an effort to make sure that I get to try local dishes. I had crab cakes when we were in Charlotte and it was really fun to try something that I had heard so much about.
• The most odd combination of food: Duck and waffles. It still sounds weird to me but it was actually really good. 
• Weight of my suitcase on arrival: 29 lbs / 13 kg
• Weight of my suitcase on departure: 68 lbs / 31 kg. My suitcase is bursting in the seams.
• The weirdest thing I have bought: Pillows, I bought pillows! Not decorative ones but for my bed. (Go vacuum packing bags!) These pillows are so much better than the ones from IKEA! 
• Miles travelled in the US: 2240 miles / 3600 kilometers 
• Number of visited states: 4. Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. I learned that District of Columbia is not a state. 
• Souvenirs bought: I bought Old Bay spice for my parents. 
• My favorite Super Bowl commercial: Honda. Who can resist sheep singing Queen? https://youtu.be/kTaCT8ZmdJA

My favorite thing about the DC area is that there are such a variety, different architecture, many museums, great restaurants and beautiful monuments. There was always something to do on the weekends and those days when I did not know what I wanted to do I just started walking around in DC and I always found something that sparked my interest. It is a walkable city and that is something that I appreciate because you get to see so much when you just walk around. 

I have learned so much during these weeks, I don't know where to start! First and foremost, I have learned a lot about how it is to work as a lighting designer and I have got a good understanding of different ways to run a lighting design company. I have learned things that will come in good use in school, I have a better understanding of how project works and that will help me to do better projects in school and to streamline the work progress. Last but not least, I have learned things about myself, both personally and professionally. ​

I hope that everyone gets the opportunity to travel because I think that is really important, you get a better understanding of the world we live in and you learn how you handle different situations. To be outside of your comfort zone is intimidating at times but it is very valuable. I learn the most about myself when I am put in new situations and I it was amazing to get the opportunity to travel on my own. 

Every single person I have met here has been very kind and friendly, especially Andrea and John. They have been so welcoming, helping and they have made my weeks here really, really perfect! I cannot thank them enough. They made sure that I got to see all the things here in the area. Thanks to them I got a better understanding of American culture. I mean what is more American than a Super Bowl party?

This has been six truly amazing weeks, I have done everything I wanted and more than I could dream of. I really like it here and I would not mind staying longer but I have some exciting things happening this spring so I leave with a big smile on my face. 

​I hope my suitcase is in one piece when I come home, fingers crossed!