This summer, I interned for three and a half months – forty hours a week – in a Republican congressional office for constituent services. I spent 560 hours of my vacation filing folders, answering phone calls and assisting residents of Kentucky on behalf of a Republican politician. This internship afforded me the opportunity to see Congress from the “inside looking out” and it provided me with several networking opportunities – which resulted in future internship positions ranging from the Kentucky Republican Party and the National Republican Party to a legislative/press internship on the Hill. For any political science major with high aspirations, a desire to succeed, and a great love for the GOP – this job was a dream.

But here’s the plot twist: I identify as a left-winged, liberal Democrat.

The opportunity was one that more or less fell into my lap during the spring of my freshman year. Last year, I became involved with an organization known as Cards-in-Action and a select few of us traveled to our nation’s capitol to promote funding for students and universities on behalf of the ACC. During this trip, the topic of internships and potential job opportunities came up during conversation and one of my counterparts – and a fellow McConnell Scholar – mentioned that she would soon be leaving her position as the constituent services intern in the congressional office for which she worked. I had no immediate plans for my summer, so I inquired about the position and she spoke briefly about it with me. After I showed so much interest, I remember she gave me a knowing look and reminded me of the most important detail I seemed to be glossing over: the congressional office belonged to a Republican.

I spent a lot of time considering this and eventually decided to apply for the position anyway. The office called me in for an interview and asked me a few questions regarding my work ethic and skills. They never asked me anything about my ideology or my beliefs – but simply asked if I would support and give allegiance to the congressman I would be representing. I agreed that I would and a few weeks later I was offered the position.

I found that I actually loved many components of working in a congressional office. This summer, I was all but forced to stay up-to-date and informed about what was happening in D.C. because constituents would call our office with questions concerning those prevalent issues and I would have to answer those questions as a voice for or extension of the politician that represented them. I also enjoyed the casework that the office handled; our office contacted federal agencies on constituents’ behalf. The overwhelming feeling of pride and excitement that was the result of closing a case “favorable” is inconceivable to those that have never experienced it. I knew that I was honestly helping people – and not in the way people idealize it when they talk about why they want to pursue a certain career. I left the office each day with the confidence that my work had affected at least one life in a positive and measurable way. Furthermore, I truly adored all my co-workers. They are all so brilliant and kind and I hope the congressman I worked for realizes how truly fortunate he is to have them representing him. Together we discussed politics and issues our country faces and ways we could create a better future for ourselves and our world. We found common ground every day – despite the fact that I disagreed with many of their party’s beliefs and did not uphold many of the GOP’s values. I rarely aired these discrepancies – and this provided me an opportunity to listen and learn rather than argue and condemn.

It did not take long before my other liberal friends were teasing me about “going over to the dark side” and I remember that some seriously questioned my values when I seemed to have a change in stance regarding certain issues. When we would discuss politics together, and I would willingly present the other side of the argument, they feared that I was being “negatively influenced” or “swayed” by my colleagues and the office for which I was working. And in some ways, this was true – I could see how quickly my own identity seemed to be caving and contorting to fit the mold of the environment around me. For a while, I feared my friends were right.

But after completing my internship, I found that the only way to better myself – and those around me – is to sincerely understand and explore the beliefs that each person holds, especially if they are different than your own. Working in a Republican’s office allowed me a chance to do just that. But moreover, what purpose do we serve if we do not grow? And how will we grow and become better critics, citizens, and individuals if we surround ourselves with “yes-men” that are mirrors or parrots – only reflecting what we already are or repeating what we’ve already said. What if our views are never challenged? How then will they be perfected? If we are not willing to listen to a differing opinion, how are we sure that we are right?

After taking the time to truly question, analyze, and critique my values I have found that I now have more support for them and a stronger belief in them. I am confident in these values, for I know now that I must strive to alter them and perfect them as I grow in thought, experience, and wisdom. I hope that I never fear dissecting and re-evaluating these beliefs – because constantly questioning and analyzing what one values and knows to be true makes certain that they should remain valued and held as true. And I thank the Republican congressman – and his office – for providing me with an opportunity to self-reflect. But I thank them both even more so for allowing me to strengthen my confidence in the beliefs I already held.