Matsui Center Washington Fellowship Blogs

Serving as a Fellow at a national civil rights organization in Washington, D.C. means learning quickly that policy work does not pause, even when everything around it feels unstable. During my time at the LULAC National Office, my fellowship unfolded amid a government shutdown,...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: "Still Here": Holding Ground and Advocating at LULAC Through a Government Shutdown

This fall, I served as a Policy and Research Fellow at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) National Office, the largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization in the United States, founded in 1929. LULAC’s legacy of advocating for educational equity, civic...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: "Aquí 'stoy": Tracing Roots and Resiliency while Interning at LULAC in Washington, D.C.

Few experiences capture the tension of DC quite like a government shutdown. Witnessing firsthand the frustration and resilience of our representatives has come with both uncertainty and confusion. While it is deeply disheartening and disappointing to see programs halted,...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: Finding Resilience in Chaos and Uncertainty: Supporting Constituents During a Historic Government Shutdown

I currently work at the DC LGBTQ+ Community Center, a community space for queer folks. They provide food, community events, basic needs, and generally, a space for people to exist. People who come in are encouraged to think of the space as a sort of “second living room.” I am...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: "A Second Living Room": Supporting Safe Community Spaces in the Humming Humidity of DC

I’ve definitely hit the ground running. As a National Security, Intelligence, and International Affairs Research Intern at the Institute of World Politics, I’ve been mentored by an Ambassador, numerous professor-practitioners, a defense contractor, and inspiring academics. I’ve...Read more about UCDC Fall 2025: Full and Busy, but Beautiful: Intelligence, Diplomacy, and Finding Wonder in Washington, D.C.

Spending a semester in Washington, D.C., was a defining chapter of my academic, professional and personal growth journey, one that has reshaped my aspirations for the future. From snowy days to the vibrant bloom of spring, my time in D.C. was truly an unforgettable experience....Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: Blossoming in Spring - How A Semester in D.C. Reaffirmed My Commitment to Public Service and Advocacy

Looking back at my semester at Washington D. C., I feel very grateful that I had this wonderful opportunity. My first post may have been critical of my internship because of its misalignment with its mission (for context, please read my first blog), but after much thought and...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: Concluding a Profound Experience at D.C.

Being in Washington, D.C. this spring and experiencing an administrative transition while interning at a federal agency was unlike anything I had anticipated. Although there were challenging moments, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in Washington, D.C. It was one thing to...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: In the Midst of Generational Change, Still Motivated to Say 'Yes' to Public Service

I am currently interning at Crossroads Campaign Solutions, where I’m gaining hands-on experience in political campaign strategy and digital communications. My day-to-day responsibilities include assisting with social media outreach, conducting research on political trends, and...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: The Opportunity to Experience D.C.

DC is a surprising city. It’s a beautiful place with so much history, you could throw a rock and hit a landmark around here- it’s just so tense. I don’t know if DC is always this way or if it’s the current administration, but there’s an aura of apprehension that hangs in the air...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: A Place of Rich History and Tension

My semester at DC so far has been a complex experience on so many levels. There were times when I was deeply inspired and moved. There were other times when my eyes were opened to the reality of what it means to be in the political realm.

Before my...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: A Mosaic of Transformative Experiences

One of the most memorable moments of my time in D.C. happened almost immediately upon arrival. I landed during a record-cold winter storm, one that led to many airport cancellations and flight delays, in the first week of January, which felt especially daunting. As a native...Read more about UCDC Spring 2025: Navigating New Experiences in D.C.