My name is Oluwatobi Oluwagbemi and I am the 2015 Penny fellowship recipient. I am very privileged to be here in the United States. I am interning with the local DFL in St. Cloud. I was very excited about the Internship because I wanted to learn more about the politics of the United States.

I am very interested in Federal Government and International Relations. I was so excited again when I got to work with Zachary Dorholt because he is an awesome candidate who cares more about others and their issues and is passionate about college students and issues that local people care about. I attended a lot of events with the local DFL and I engaged with other members of the community. I was interested in research, communication skills, public speaking, active listening and Etiquette skills. I was excited about working with others. I have learned so much about the elections in America and I was able to compare it to Nigeria. I was able to participate in a lot of activities that got me more involved in local politics. I attended several meetings with the DFL and I learned a lot about how to organize meetings. I also attended caucus trainings and I loved how students were very interested in this November elections.

I learned that the last election period students were not interested in elections and did not vote.I was very excited to know that the students were excited about the elections this year. I also attended as a delegate at a delegate convention at Apollo High School. I was very excited to be a delegate because it made me feel important in the election process in the United States. I felt as if i was making a difference and doing my own part in the election process. I felt very lucky that I was in the United States at the right time. I attended several events that inspired me to even run for office. I also plan to run for office in 2017 when I graduate. I did some data entry and door knocking. Door knocking was fun here because in Nigeria there are gates there and it is not easy to talk to people.

I enjoyed door knocking and I loved talking to people. I spoke about why I was passionate about politics in the United States. I spoke about why I supported the D.F.L Candidates and I spoke to them about why it was important for them to vote at the next elections. I was very happy that i could make a difference in my own way in the local elections. I would also be helping students on campus with voting and then I would help with organizing events. I hope that the Democratic Party wins in the november elections.