2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Grant Li shares his Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Malia Ferrer shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Eliana Kim shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Samantha Leong shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Shiwani Lata shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Robinson Lee shares his Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Anais Sornkatetin shares their Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Sydney Pike shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Ryan Horio shares his Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Jianhao Cui shares his Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Emma Tom shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Gabrielle shares her Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Nathan Yeung shares his Week 1 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Haley Ku shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Malia Ferrer shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Nathan Yeung shares his Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Ryan Horio shares his Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Grant Li shares his Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Sydney Pike shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Robinson Lee shares his Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Haley Ku shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Shiwani Lata shares here Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Jianhao Cui shares his Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Eliana Kim shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Gabrielle Shen shares Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Emma Tom shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Anais Sornkatetin shares their Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Samantha Leong shares her Week 2+3 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Robinson Lee shares his Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Jianhao Cui shares his Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Ryan Horio shares his Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Nathan Yeung shares his Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Eliana Kim shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Haley Ku shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Sydney Pike shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Gabrielle Shen shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Malia Ferrer shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Emma Tom shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Anais Sornkatetin shares their Week 5+6 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Grant Li shares his Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Shiwani Lata shares her Week 4+5 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Samantha Leong shares her Week 4+5 experience

This is one of the things I have seen time and time again throughout my time at CAUSE, that if nothing else, the API community shows up for each other.

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Nathan Yeung shares his Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Grant Li shares his Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Robinson Lee shares his Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Jianhao Cui shares his Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Emma Tom shares her Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Malia Ferrer shares her Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern Anais Sornkatetin shares their Week 6+7 experience

2024 CAUSE Leadership Academy intern shares Week 6+7 experience

When I received my bachelor's degree from UCLA in June, the only thing I knew was that I would be joining CAUSE for the next nine weeks. I didn’t know what to expect, however what I gained was a new sense of confidence, a community of amazing individuals, and a greater understanding of our AANHPI community and my place within it.

I often reflect on the “butterfly effect" moments that have occurred in my life; the seemingly small choices or coincidences that have led to profound changes. This internship is a prime example.

As each of the nine weeks of our internship passed, I felt myself developing skills and knowledge through my placement office at LA County First District Supervisor Hilda Solis’ Office and through CAUSE’s cohort sessions. 

I often face difficulties coming up with answers for this icebreaker because my facial expressions always reveal my true feelings. So when I released the waterworks in front of the CAUSE board members during graduation, it was clear that I was not ready to say goodbye and close this chapter in my life.

As my time at CAUSE comes to a close, I reflect on the lessons I've learned about family, trust, and the collective power of API communities. CAUSE has not only deepened my understanding of civic engagement but also has reinforced the importance of prioritizing being rooted in community and centering our hearts in the work we do.

With a whirlwind of fresh starts and new experiences so closely succeeding such a bittersweet yet fulfilling end to the internship, I’ve barely had time to process the full breadth of my feelings and takeaways.

While 9 weeks seemed long when it was pages away on my calendar, it passed by so fast when it actually happened, especially when each day and week was spent with the CLA staff and my 13 other amazing cohort members who have now become my lifelong friends.

My first commute to the CAUSE office in Little Tokyo was filled with nervousness. During the 20-minute ride, I was straightening my jacket and tucking in my blouse continuously, feeling so uneasy. It did not help that I was not from the area; I was nervous to meet new people in a city that I was a stranger to, and more importantly about making the most of this unique opportunity that initially felt out of reach.

In May 2024, I graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, feeling unsure about how to navigate post-grad life. My first day at CLA was nerve-wracking; I was intimidated by those around me, not realizing they would soon become some of my closest friends. Alongside this, imposter syndrome began to creep in, and I thought to myself, "These next nine weeks are going to feel like an eternity." I was completely wrong, this summer flew by and I enjoyed every minute of it. 

Reflecting back on the very first day of this internship, I remember hesitantly stepping off the bus in Little Tokyo. I had minimal expectations for myself and for what would lie ahead with CAUSE; I was oblivious to the fact that the best summer I could have asked for was just getting started.