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 getting used to. My time in DC started with walking around and seeing the city. My...
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, of experiencing things beyond my parents' wildest dreams.
This fall, I’m interning at the UC Federal Governmental Relations office in Washington, D.C., gaining invaluable professional experience as I prepare to graduate from UC Berkeley. As I grow in this role and run the...
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 transition. Initially, I thought being away from my loved ones would be harder than it turned out to be, especially since I’m not usually a fan of change. However, this experience has surprisingly been exactly what I needed. It forced me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to learn how to handle change...
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 and collaboration that seemed to define the city. In a place where the political, cultural, and social currents converge, I was struck by how deeply interconnected the people were, regardless of their varied backgrounds, professions, or beliefs.
What stood out to me most was the evident commitment to the common good....
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 the immense privilege it was to be invited to a space of such significance and importance. It fueled me with the energy I needed to complete an 8-hour workday, a 3-hour class, and a few miscellaneous hours for homework and making a phone call home.
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 and collaboration that seemed to define the city. In a place where the political,...
As a first generation student, Luis majored in Political Science at the University of California Berkeley. Raised in the small City of Vista, he was exposed to the every day struggles immigrant families faces in southern California, from unfair treatment by the justice system to blocked access to basic social programs. This put him on a career path in Law and is planning to attend law school after he graduates spring 2023. Eager to involve himself in the law field, Luis...
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 advocating for the rights and needs of constituents. As...
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 getting used to. My time in DC started with walking around and seeing the city. My parents were with me when I first arrived, and we walked the National Mall and around Dupont Circle to visit the UC Washington Center and see where I would live for the next four months. One of my favorite moments from my first weeks in DC was when we...
