Hi everyone,
My internship on the Field and Constituencies team at the National Immigration Forum involves varied daily tasks, primarily supporting the Badges and Faith branches of the organization. For the Badges program, I research law enforcement, gather newsclips for the newsletter, and analyze website metrics. My work within the Faith branch centers on promoting immigration dialogue within faith communities. Specifically, I concentrate on programs such as Students of Welcome, Women of Welcome, and We Choose Welcome, all of which aim to facilitate these discussions. My responsibilities include engaging with college students to devise strategies for incorporating immigration into their conversations, broadening the Forum's outreach to faith communities, and communicating with various faith leaders. Daily tasks, regardless of my weekly focus, include managing Excel spreadsheets, performing data analysis, conducting research, taking notes, and creating graphics.
A challenge I’ve faced coming to D.C. is definitely imposter syndrome. Never in my life did I imagine being capable of landing an internship in the heart of the nation and leaving my hometown before turning 20. It’s truly emotional to be here, but I wake up every morning and remind myself I have purpose in life. I remind myself of all my triumphs, no matter how big or small, that I’ve accomplished at my internship thus far. In the back of my mind, I think of all the young women, including my mother, who were not given an opportunity to travel, receive an education, or be in spaces that were never designed for first generation students and/or POC. This reminder and my parents' sacrifices truly allows me to have grit and overcome this challenge.
Moreover, something that surprised me working in D.C. is how accommodating staff are. At least in my experience, my supervisor is constantly checking in with me, asking if I am gaining the experience I was seeking, and if I want to focus on a particular matter. They assign creative projects, allow me to attend Congressional hearings, and give me lots of resources regarding immigration to educate myself. They also ask their interns for input, which is very admirable as our feedback is taken seriously.
Since this is my first time on the East Coast, I’m constantly trying to explore new places. Outside of work, I visit museums, go to Georgetown, tour the Capitol, and explore coffee shops. Living with students from across the entire UC system has been very interesting. I made great friends and plan to stay connected post-UCDC. As a semester student, I'm excited for the arrival of the Spring Quarter cohort in D.C., which means meeting a whole new group of people. However, it's also a little bittersweet to see my Winter Quarter friends heading back to their home campuses.
All in all, I am eternally grateful to have been nominated as a Matsui Washington Fellow. Due to this great opportunity, I was able to receive additional funding to further pursue my professional and educational goals. D.C. is truly the heart of the nation and I’m beyond blessed to be working as an intern in the field of my interests.