Life Coming Full Circle at the White House Travel Blogger Summit

The White House Travel Blogger Summit brought me full circle. The first time I visited Washington DC, I flew there in an airplane packed with excited eighth-graders…without our parents! We visited numerous museums, memorials, and the Library of Congress. The one disappointment was not getting to visit the White House. The freedom, excitement, and living history experienced on that trip as a 13-year-old sparked a passion for travel that eventually led to my career as a travel blogger and influencer.

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An Invitation to the White House Travel Blogger Summit

Back during that middle school trip, I never would have thought of becoming a travel blogger. This took place, after all, during the pre-Internet 1980s. I certainly wouldn’t have dreamed that someday I would be invited by the White House to return to Washington, DC. But that’s exactly what happened when I received an email invitation to attend a White House Travel Blogger Summit on Study Abroad and Global Exchange as one of the 100 most influential travel bloggers and digital media outlets.

At first, I thought the invitation was a scam. After all, the email invite requested my Social Security number. But sure enough, I discovered it was legit. Travel expenses and lodging would not be covered, and I worried my family couldn’t afford to send me galavanting off to Washington, DC. But my husband said, “When you’re invited to the White House, you need to go!”

Exploring Washington DC Solo

I arrived at the Washington Travel Blogger Summit a day early to explore, since I hadn’t been back to my nation’s capital since that long-ago middle school trip. When I asked friends and family what I should do with my one free day in DC, the Lincoln Memorial topped everyone’s list. It was just as majestic as the first time I saw it as a young teen.

I walked along the National Mall, pausing to take photos of memorials like the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Although I love traveling with my family, sometimes it is so glorious to do and see exactly what I want, for as long or short as I want, without worrying about anyone else’s wishes. All told, I walked over 12 miles in windy 30-degree weather that day.

I also spent a few hours wandering through the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The display of First Ladies’ gowns (Jackie O’s was the best, of course) and the exhibit on the office of the Presidency were impressive.

But there was something especially thrilling about seeing slices of pop culture on display. Although I was disappointed to find Fonzie’s leather jacket had been removed since my first visit, I was pleased to find Dorothy’s red slippers, Archie Bunker’s chair, and, most importantly, Julia Child’s kitchen. The movie, Julie and Julia, makes me cry every time I watch it. The film is about two writers who followed their dreams and saw them come true. I could relate.

The White House Travel Blogger Summit kick off

The following morning, the White House Travel Blogger Summit kicked off with breakfast at the W Hotel, with its view of the Washington Monument in the not-so-far distance. It was funny to see my travel blogging compadres all dressed up in neckties and skirts. We tend to be a casual bunch, sporting sneakers and backpacks. Some of the guys even had to purchase or borrow suits just for the occasion.

Touring the White House

Next, we were off to the actual White House portion of the White House Travel Blogger Summit. We had been told that cameras weren’t allowed in the President’s home, but we were pleasantly surprised to learn that photo-taking is permitted only during the holiday season. If you want to see my pictures of the White House all gussied up for the holidays, check out my White House Christmas Tour.

National Press Club Luncheon

For lunch, we dined at the National Press Club, courtesy of Hostelling International USA (HI USA). Since the White House tours went a little long, the vibe was hurry-up-and-eat while the HI USA CEO Russ Hedge talked about how their network of hostels helps to foster goodwill between nations and often serves as a first step for students and other travelers going overseas. Indeed, some of my favorite travel experiences took place in hostels during my year abroad in Europe.

White House Travel Blogger Summit on Study Abroad and Global Exchange

Finally, it was time for the real meat of the White House Travel Blogger Summit. After being sniffed down by security dogs and walking through x-ray machines, we gained entrance to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, just adjacent to the West Wing. (Theodore and Franklin D. Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Gerald Ford, and George H. W. Bush all had offices in this building before becoming President.)

No, President Obama did not swing by to say, “Hi.” His Chief of Staff, Denis McDonough, did, though. As did Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to the First Lady, as well as other important political muckety mucks. Also on panels for the White House Travel Blogger Summit were TV Host Samantha Brown and Lonely Planet’s U.S. Travel Editor.

The overarching message? “Study abroad is important and study abroad is for everyone,” as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan stated. As proof of their dedication to the cause, the government is launching a U.S. Study Abroad Office under the Bureau of Educational & Cultural Affairs to encourage all students to study abroad and to increase diversity among American foreign exchange students.

According to Penny Pritzker, Secretary of Commerce, 60% of Fortune 500 executives ranked global awareness as very important or essential to business success. She also talked about how travel diffuses prejudices, because traveling to other countries shows that “our similarities vastly outweigh our differences.”

What Was the Point

There was a lot of preaching to the choir, with speakers singing the praises of study abroad. At one point, a speaker asked how many of us had studied abroad. Not surprisingly, almost everyone in the room raised their hand, myself included.

What was the point, then? The point was to get us excited and talking, blogging, and tweeting about the importance of studying abroad. Currently, less than 10% of American students study abroad. For the US to remain competitive, we need to increase that number.

Many people think that studying abroad is only for the wealthy, but several programs make studying abroad more affordable and accessible. 

Newseum Reception

After three hours in a conference room without any water, our brains were full, and our mouths were parched. We headed to the Newseum on buses. This since-shuttered museum was dedicated to bringing journalism and the world’s news to life through interactive exhibits.

Newseum employees tried to encourage us to wander through their newsy displays, but we all bee-lined for the bar. I guzzled a glass of water before diving into the wine and canapes.

Meeting Samantha Brown

At the summit, I summoned the courage to introduce myself to Samantha Brown, star of numerous Travel Channel television shows and one of two celebrities I’ve always wanted to meet. (The other is Oprah Winfrey. Duh!) I even got my photo taken with Ms. Brown and met her sweet husband, Kevin O’Leary. I have since been lucky enough to spend time with Sam and Kevin at other travel-related events over the years.

Turkish Airlines surprise

During our sit-down dinner at the Newseum, a Turkish Airlines representative took the mic. Apparently, they were going to give away business-class round-trip tickets to Turkey to 10 lucky travel bloggers, but they changed their minds. Instead, they’re sending ALL OF US to Turkey.

We all jumped up and down feverishly, squealing and shrieking like Oprah’s audience members during one of her holiday giveaway shows. Travel blogger Carol Cain of Girl Gone Travel assumed the role of Oprah, pointing at blogger after blogger, shouting, “You get to go to Turkey! You get to go to Turkey! You get to go to Turkey!”

Exhausted and overwhelmed by the day’s events, I finally took a van back to my hotel…with none other than Samantha Brown. I have always dreamed of returning to Washington DC and of going to the White House, of meeting Samantha Brown, and of flying to Turkey. But this day exceeded my dreams. And it all started with a school trip to Washington, DC as a 13-year-old kid.

P.S. Another surprise from the White House!

I thought this post was done. Then I got another email from the White House a few months later. At the summit breakfast, an announcement was made…something about the 10 most influential travel bloggers receiving a special surprise and a return visit to Washington DC. I was in a room with the 100 most influential travel bloggers. I knew there was no way I was winning this one, so I piled my plate with more carbohydrates and didn’t give it another thought.

But the email was an invitation to return to the White House…this time for a tour of the Oval Office! Apparently, I was one of the 10 most influential attendees in terms of encouraging people to weigh in on study abroad via the #StudyAbroadBecause mosaic below. Thank YOU if you were one of the people who added your picture and your thoughts to the mosaic!

Dream big, people! And throw your arms open to welcome unexpected dreams when they appear!

Have you ever experienced something during your travels that exceeded your expectations? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Thank you to the W Hotel, Hostelling International USA, Turkish Airlines, the Newseum, and the National Press Club for hosting the White House Travel Bloggers Summit.

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