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YLAI DC (SEED SPOT) Cohort 2024

Cohort Ambassador Schedule

Friday, March 8: City Cultural Orientation to Washington, DC!

 

9:00 AM | Meet at Hotel

  • Meet in hotel lobby promptly at 9:00, ready to roll
  • Check the list below for what to bring

 

9:30 AM | Walk to Trader Joe’s (Grocery Store)

Let's get familiar with your neighborhood! We'll walk past options for shopping, pharmacy, coffee, local transportation, and more. Then, we’ll browse around Trader Joe’s (grocery store) to get a general understanding of prices and available items. You can come back after orientation to stock up!

 

10:00 AM | Intro to the DC Metrorail System

It's time to practice navigating and using the metro system! You'll receive your SmarTrip metro card loaded with fares to commute to and from each Cohort Ambassador activity. Then, let's hop a metro train and practice getting around the city.

 

10:30 AM | DC Orientation, US Business Customs Workshop, & Lunch at WeWork

Get the inside scoop on living and working in Washington, DC. We'll discuss common US business customs around networking, engaging with coworkers and managers, presenting work, and asking for support and feedback.

  • Share your personal and professional goals for the month (finding events in your industry)
  • Prepare for your first day at your FPO: where to go, what to wear, what to expect
  • Talk through budget, safety basics, and things to know about DC
  • Download useful apps
  • WeWork 700 K Street, Room 3A: 700 K Street Northwest Washington DC 20001

 

2:00 PM | Guided Tour of Capitol Hill with DC by Foot (Combined activity with GGF cohort)

The SEED SPOT and GGF cohorts (combined activity) will discover the highlights and landmarks of Washington, DC on a private guided tour by a local tour company, DC By Foot. Our guide will introduce us to US history and the American government on a tour of Capitol Hill, including the Library of Congress, US Capitol, and US Supreme Court to explore these beautiful buildings and the meaning behind them.

Get ready for some great photo opps to post to your social channels and send back home to friends and family! 

 

What to Bring:

  • Jacket and/or umbrella - we'll be venturing outside, rain or shine!
  • Passport or identification card (some buildings require ID to enter)
  • Your bank card
  • Camera (or camera phone) for snapping pics!

Friday, March 15: Pitch Preparation & DC Cultural Afternoon

 

9:00 AM | Check-in & Community Building

  • Meet at WeWork promptly at 9:00, ready to begin
  • WeWork offers coffee, tea, and kombucha. Please eat breakfast before you arrive.
  • WeWork Midtown Center, Room 4H: 1100 15th St NW Washington DC 20005
    • NOTE: This is a different WeWork location from last week.

 

10:00 AM | Pitch Warm-Up Workshop with SEED SPOT

Let's get ready to show YLAI which city cohort ROCKS! This fun pitch warm-up exercise will prepare you for a great experience preparing your Solution Pitch with Jacqueline Baker and SEED SPOT.

 

11:00 AM | Storytelling Workshop with Jacqueline Baker

Guest speaker Jacqueline M. Baker is a speaker, author, podcast host, leadership consultant and advisor known for her unique approach to modern etiquette and leadership. As the author of Leader By Mistake and The Unexpected Leader: Discovering The Leader Within You, she frequently speaks and writes on the leadership-for-all concept and never passes up an opportunity to host a dinner party

 

12:00 PM | Lunch, Discussion, and Pitch Breakout Groups

We'll enjoy lunch delivered to WeWork while we unpack the morning's learnings and reflect on our own stories. Then, practice your pitch in breakout groups and get suggestions from other fellows that you can incorporate in your pitch.

 

2:30 PM | Visit the Smithsonian National Museum of American History

This engaging museum explores the full and complex history of the United States through the people, events, and innovations that have shaped it.

 

5:00 PM | Happy Hour with FPOs and GGF Cohort!

Invite your FPO hosts and colleagues to cheers to a great first week of collaboration!

  • We encourage you to join this optional event and invite your FPO to meet us there!
  • Fellows and FPOs are responsible for their own food and beverages
  • Crimson Whiskey Bar (basement): 627 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001

 

What to Bring:

  • Metro card
  • Your Solution Pitch, drafted and ready to practice
  • Notebook and pen for taking notes
  • Passport or identification card (some buildings require ID to enter)
  • Scarf or jacket - WeWork can be chilly inside

Friday, March 22: Pitch Preparation & DC Cultural Afternoon

 

9:00 AM | Check in & Community Building

  • Meet at WeWork promptly at 9:00, ready to begin
  • WeWork offers coffee, tea, and kombucha. Please eat breakfast before you arrive.
  • WeWork Midtown Center, Room 4H: 1100 15th St NW Washington DC 20005

 

10:00 AM | Pitch Preparation with SEED SPOT

SEED SPOT will facilitate this final pitch workshop before you record and submit your YLAI Solution Pitch to IREX this week.

 

12:00 PM | Lunch Break

 

12:30 PM | Solution Pitch Practice with Mentors

Refine your pitch with informal feedback from SEED SPOT guest mentors. This is a great opportunity to network and build relationships with professionals and leaders in the DC community!

 

3:00-5:00 PM | Visit Tidal Basin for Cherry Blossom Festival & Picnic (combined activity with GGF)

  • Let's check out this world famous festival and bask in the beauty of the DC cherry blossoms!
  • This is a major photo opportunity - be prepared to be WOWED!
  • Festival website

 

What to Bring:

  • Wear clothing that you can picnic in / sit on the ground comfortably
  • Metro card
  • Your Solution Pitch, polished up and ready to practice with mentors
  • Notebook and pen for taking notes
  • Passport or identification card (some buildings require ID to enter)
  • Scarf or jacket - WeWork can be chilly inside
  • Camera (or camera phone) for cherry blossom photos
  • Optional: bring a snack to share at the picnic from your home country or culture
  • If you're an artist, bring along your sketch book or watercolors to capture the beauty!

Friday, March 29: Meet Local Entrepreneurship Leaders and Resources (Combined day with GGF Cohort)

 

9:00 AM | Check-in & Community Building 

  • Meet in the hotel lobby promptly at 9:00 AM

 

10:00 AM | Lean Startup Workshop at GW Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Gear up for a hands-on journey into the world of entrepreneurship! This Lean Startup Workshop hosted by GW's Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship will introduce you to practical strategies for launching and scaling your business. We'll have lots of fun innovating and iterating together as we learn about GW's resources for student entrepreneurs.

 

12:00 PM | Group Cultural Lunch in Georgetown

 

2:00 - 4:00 PM | Tour & Networking at Halcyon House

We'll tour one of the most prestigious accelerator programs for impact-driven entrepreneurs in the country and learn about their mission and theory of change. A time of networking and Q&A with a current Halcyon venture will conclude the visit.

 

What to Bring:

  • Notebook and pen for taking notes
  • Passport or identification card (some buildings require ID to enter)
  • Scarf or jacket
  • Metro card

 

Note: Zach Leverenz will be your SEED SPOT representative this week!

Friday, April 5: State dept, FPO Educational Visits & Farewell Bowling Celebration!

 

8:45 AM | Arrive to Department of State for Security Check

  • Location: State Department Headquarters, 2201 C St NW
  • Pass through security – phones and other electronic devices are fine
  • Everyone should have a photo ID (DL or passport) for check in

 

9:15-10:15 AM | Meeting with Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs

We have a unique opportunity to meet with the top U.S. diplomat covering the Americas, the Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs!

Assistant Secretary Nichols will join fellows for an open discussion and Q&A session on U.S. foreign policy relevant to their countries. Fellows will have the opportunity to ask questions or offer suggestions on policy gaps directly to the Assistant Secretary Nichols.

  • Check out Assistant Secretary Nichols' bio here!

 

10:45 AM | Travel to Lunch 

11:45 AM - 12:45 PM | Lunch at Peruvian Brothers (FPO) at La Cosecha

12:45-1:30 PM | Travel to FPO Educational Visit

1:30-3:00 PM | FPO Educational Visit 2 (Announced 3/22)

Fellows will have the opportunity at the start of the fellowship to apply for the opportunity to host the cohort at their assigned FPO for an educational workshop aligned with their work during the program/mission of their FPO. SEED SPOT will select and confirm visit sites by March 22.

The second opportunity for a fellow to host the cohort at their assigned FPO for an educational workshop aligned with their work during the program/mission of their FPO. 

 

4:00-7:00 PM | Farewell Bowling Celebration with FPOs, GGF cohort, and visiting alumni!

Let's roll into celebration mode! Join us for an end-of-program bowling bash with your fantastic FPO hosts. It's time to strike up some fun, knock down pins, and celebrate the incredible journey we've had together. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or a first-timer, this event promises laughs, camaraderie, and memories to cherish. Get ready to bowl your way to a memorable send-off and express our gratitude to our amazing FPOs!

  • Bowlero Arlington: 320 23rd St S, Crystal City, VA 22202
  • Invite your FPO host and collegues!

 

What to Bring:

  • Socks for bowling (we'll rent bowling shoes at the alley)
  • Passport or identification card (some buildings require ID to enter)
  • Scarf or jacket
  • Metro card

 

Note: Zach Leverenz will be your SEED SPOT representative this week!

SEED SPOT Cohort Ambassador Representatives:

  • Lauren McDanell, +1 602 505-0253
  • Zach Leverenz, +1 202 290-8874