A Place Where My Passions Meet

I chose to intern for ARCC because its mission sits at the intersection of everything I’m passionate about: my own experience as an Asian American, my background in public health, and my belief that creating change requires action. As I learned more about ARCC, I appreciated that the organization encourages people to move beyond awareness and take meaningful action in their communities.

That mission resonates with me because anti-racism and public health are deeply connected. Health goes far beyond what happens in a doctor’s office. It’s influenced by where people live, the opportunities they have, the education they receive, and whether their community actually supports them. When communities experience discrimination or unequal access to resources, the effects show up in education, housing, employment, and so many other parts of daily life.

Creating healthier communities also means creating more equitable ones, which is part of what led me to pursue law. I’ll be starting law school this fall, and working with ARCC fits naturally into that journey. Public health taught me to understand the systemic factors that shape people’s lives, and law will give me another way to help address those challenges through policy and advocacy. But policy is only effective when it’s informed by the people it’s meant to serve. Real change also comes from conversations, community organizations, and people who are willing to show up, listen, and learn from one another. That’s the kind of work I want to be part of. Through ARCC, I hope to learn from those experiences while contributing in my own way.