Blog: IGS Fellows in the World

My morning began with a mix of excitement and curiosity as I made my way to the Matsui Center at UC Berkeley. I felt an undeniable energy in the room, a sense that this was the beginning of something meaningful. I found myself chatting with new faces...Read more about 2025 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

Ever since I began my journey in public service as a teenager, I have been deeply committed to amplifying underrepresented voices through community advocacy across all levels of government. Over time—and especially through my Gardner Fellowship—I’ve come to understand that...Read more about 2024 Gardner Fellows: Amplifying Voices, Advancing Justice: My Journey in Local Public Service

As a 2024–2025 John Gardner Public Service Fellow, I had the opportunity to work at the Possibility Lab at UC Berkeley, where I contributed to the Abundance Project—an ambitious research initiative focused on equity in public investment across California. For someone like me, a...Read more about 2024 Gardner Fellows: Reimagining Public Investment Through Lived Experience

When I began my Gardner Fellowship on a swampy September day, I was hopeful of building meaningful professional relationships, learning the ins and outs of Congress, and maybe even making an impact. But I was also fearful of the unknowns that lay ahead – Would my mentor and I get...Read more about 2024 Gardner Fellows: Making My Mark: A Gardner Fellow's Capitol Hill Story

On Friday, May 23rd, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. sharp. It was the day I'd been waiting for since I had graduated a few days before. I was flying to Washington D.C. for the Democracy Camp program! I messaged the group chat with my cohort last night if anyone wanted to...Read more about 2025 Democracy Camp in DC Journal

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

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.

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.

My experience in Washington, D.C., was a whirlwind of discovery and growth, both personally and professionally. I was struck by the energy of the city, its vibrant cultural offerings, and the sheer scale of the institutions that shape our government. The brisk air...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Reflecting on My Time in DC - Shaping My Views on Public Service

My time in Washington, D.C. was far more enriching than I had anticipated. I arrived expecting to visit the usual landmarks—the monuments, museums, and the White House—but what truly captivated me was the sense of unity...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Reflection of My Time in DC - Commitment to the Common Good

My time in DC allowed me to realize my full potential, and to create a better vision of the role I see public service playing in my future. Being from California, DC exposed me to the ways different communities across the country express themselves through activism and culture....Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Public Service as a Key to Upholding Democracy

Over the past 11 weeks, my UCDC experience has been full of surprises. While I anticipated the usual challenges—like adjusting to a new environment, navigating travel logistics, and dealing with the distance from friends and family—I never expected to adapt so quickly or to find joy in this...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: From Familiarity to Discovery - 11 weeks in DC

The idea of living in Washington, DC, and working in the highest levels of government was something I was very interested in since starting as a freshman at Cal. As someone who has known no other state than California, living in DC took some...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Discovering DC - Communities Rich in Activism, Culture and History

Being a first-generation college student is about more than simply being the first in your family to attend college. For me, it has meant navigating uncharted territory and embracing life’s many firsts. Yet, with these opportunities comes a unique burden—the guilt of being first-gen,...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: The Guilt of Being First-Generation

Interning at the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Oversight and Accountability in the Rayburn Office Building has been an engaging and impactful experience, allowing me to immerse myself in the mechanisms of governance while...Read more about UCDC Fall 2024: Under the Capitol’s Canopy - A Dive into Oversight with a Side of Cheesecake

Every day around 5 PM, sometimes much later, I left the Cannon House Office Building from the exit that faced the Capitol Dome. I am enamored with this Monument. Every time I saw it either coming to or leaving work, it served as 288 feet of marble motivation. It reminded me of...Read more about UCDC Spring 2024: Marble Motivation - Reflecting on My Semester in Washington D.C.

My three months in Washington D.C. have been undeniably transformative both personally and professionally. Throughout my four years of college, I struggled with the uncertainty of what awaited me after graduation, but from the moment I set foot in the city, I fell in love with...Read more about UCDC Spring 2024: In the Face of Uncertainty, Embrace Curiosity

We kicked off Democracy Camp with breakfast, some warm-up activities, and a rundown of our schedule. Anticipation buzzed as we geared up to welcome our first guest speaker, Anya Ku. Anya is a proud double Cal...Read more about 2024 Democracy Camp in Berkeley Journal

The Work

My time in Washington, D.C. has been interesting thus far. I've had a varied range of experiences and emotions working as an intern with the House of Representatives Committee on Rules in the Capitol Building. The Committee controls...Read more about UCDC Spring 2024: Dear First-Generation Girl: Get Out of Your Head