As I prepared my things for CLA the Sunday before, a thousand worries were swirling through my mind— would I be able to make friends? Would the others think I was less qualified because I’d be the youngest intern there? My nerves were almost as great as my anticipation for starting the program I had dreamed about joining for almost a year. Fortunately, my fears were dispelled the moment I stepped foot into the parking lot, where I quickly bonded with interns who were as confused as I was about how to enter the building.
This quickly became the theme of my first week with CAUSE— the sheer excitement of being surrounded by peers who are just as excited as I am about creating change in our communities. This week has been marked by engaging discussions during workshops, lively debates during meals, and many, many rounds of iMessage games.
2024 CLA interns celebrate their second day of work
We spent our first two days learning the basics: the “why” and the “what” of CAUSE— the mission and the work that they have done over the last thirty years. We got to hear directly from Board Chair Charlie Woo, the founder himself, about why he founded the organization. I sometimes forget how much I have benefited from the work of the trailblazers who came before me, that it wasn’t very long ago that there were no programs like CLA for someone who looked like me. It was incredible to hear from someone who has not only experienced what it’s like to be the only Asian in the room but has fought to make sure others don’t have to go through what he did.
One of the highlights of the week was our trip to PIEAM. To me, it encompassed everything that CAUSE is about: incorporating community in every aspect of what we do. In my Asian American Studies classes, something that is heavily emphasized is the importance of community. PIEAM was a great example of that, how impactful work can be done through avenues outside of policy, in mediums like art. It was also so fun to participate in the creative space and momentarily tap into our more spiritual sides. (I painted a turtle! Yay!)
Intern Samantha Yeung enjoying the printmaking activity at PIEAM
And of course, my favorite part of this week has been spending time with my cohort! Whether it was late nights learning about everyone’s lives, spontaneous coffee and boba runs, or crazy carpool roulettes, it has felt like we’ve known each other far longer than the five days since the program began. I’m so excited to see how we continue to grow together in the next eight weeks!
CLA interns pose in front of Aloha Cafe after meeting CAUSE board members and alumni
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 Samantha Leong, Leadership Academy 2024 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.