When setting our CLA ground rules during the retreat, I heard the terms ‘Make Space’, ‘Take Space’, ‘Safe Space’, and ‘Brave Space’. My Orientation Week experience can be comprehended into these terms, as they truly convey my thoughts and feelings on my first week of being a part of the CAUSE family.
Make Space
The first day of Orientation Week was equally full of nerves and excitement, as I watched interns enter one by one into the room. After hearing introductions and seeing where people (literally) stand on certain topics, I understood that everyone comes with a different perspective and brings their own positionality to the table. As much as I expect my fellow interns and supervisors to respect me and my background, I acknowledge that ‘making space’ is respecting and accepting people’s differences in an effort to understand that we are all here for a reason. Every intern in the cohort deserves space to be appreciated, and more importantly, space to grow as individuals.
Take Space
My fellow interns are exceptionally bright, driven, and inspiring, so my insecurities naturally seeped in and led me to second-guess my position at CLA. After hearing from my peers about their passions and backgrounds, I was impressed by our collective efforts to uplift AAPI communities. It was not until CLA Alumni Matt Vu enthusiastically left us with the words “Take space” that I realized my presence is highly valuable to the team. While I don’t share very similar upbringings with everyone, I understand that as much as I make space for others, I deserve to ‘take space’ too and contribute to the overall well-being of our organization. Personal experience is everything, and Steve articulated it perfectly when he said "Academia is not always reflected in reality, real-world experience gained from your positionality.”
Interns Kenny Le and Erika Au discussing during a Root Cause Analysis activity.
Safe Space
As we spent 5 days back-to-back, this group of strangers quickly formed into a space for mutual respect, friendship, and kindness. From bonding over meals, exploring CSU Long Beach dorms, and arguing about controversial answers when playing the game ‘categories’, I started caring deeply for every single person I got to know in the past week. I never thought that I would become so close with my cohort in such a short amount of time, but our team has evolved into a safe space and is blossoming into something special. As my Host Office Supervisor Farrah said, “Make mistakes with people you trust”. This is the essence of what a safe space entails and I am looking forward to doing exactly that with my new connections.
Interns Erika Au and Andrea Mac posing after completing the AAPI History Timeline activity.
Brave Space
The final phrase, ‘brave space’, is my favorite because it represents the culmination of the other three spaces. To accomplish great things, we have to respect each other, respect our own competencies, and invest in our space. In our brave space, I hope to incite real change for AAPI communities and develop skills that I will use for the rest of my professional career. I know that my peers will hold me accountable and push me to step outside my comfort zone, as we have curated an environment that fosters growth and acceptance. Throughout orientation week, I have kept these terms in mind and found ways in which they applied to our development as individuals and as team members. I am extremely grateful and excited to be working with Steve, Shanahan, Nancy, Farrah, and the CLA cohort this summer.
The 2023 CLA cohort with City Councilwoman Suely Saro at Long Beach City Hall.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author and do not reflect the views or positions of CAUSE or the CAUSE network.
Written by Erika Au, Leadership Academy 2023 Intern.
The CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) for students is a nine-week, paid, internship program that prepares college undergraduates to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander community on their campuses and beyond.