For the past three years, I have called DC my home. So when I was selected as a SikhLEAD intern for the summer, I thought I’d have the home field advantage. Like all good Washingtonians, I knew which bakery deserved its cupcake hype, how to bus it to and from Safeway with a month’s worth of food in tow, and to never, ever be so foolish as to ‘stand on the left.’ But despite being able to navigate the city’s idiosyncrasies, I realized there was so much of DC I had never experienced.
Instagram-ing on my walk to work.
My first day on Capitol Hill was a whir of intern guides, ethics videos, and high school civics. I was both overwhelmed and excited at the chance to be a Congressional intern. Coupled with the fact that I would represent SALDEF was part of the SikhLEAD program, my summer internship was surely to provide both challenges and great experiences. Within the first few weeks of interning on the Hill, I learned precisely what type of work Senate staffers perform, the ways staff formulate and inform Congressional members, and the process of passing legislation. Despite having learned about the legislative procedure in the past, no textbook could describe the unique process that goes into formulating policy. I was amazed how much of policymaking relied solely on communicating with others. Capitol Hill was an unfamiliar scene. I quickly learned that, unlike during a college lecture, simply knowing the answer to a question would not suffice. Communication, networking and, taking initiative is what produced results. I saw this most clearly when sitting in on a meeting between the Senator I am interning for and his foreign policy team I am working with. The Senator asked direct questions and expected concise and thoughtful answers. He did not want an academic exercise or an equivocal opinion; he expected critical thinking and a simple conclusion. This was one of the first instances where DC became less familiar to me. My academic prowess alone—though useful—would not cut it in the professional world that thrives in the city.
With other SALDEF and WLP interns meeting Rep. Ami Bera.
Of course, my presence on the Hill is twofold: first to gain experience in legislative affairs and second, to be a representative of SALDEF. The other change in DC’s disposition came in the people I connected with. Growing up on Cape Cod, I was not surrounded by a large Sikh community. Even while attending school at GW, there are few other Sikhs I can relate to. However, this summer I have been able to connect with young Sikhs and South Asians from all over the country. These connections are invaluable since they allow me to relate to a group whose life experiences closely resemble mine. I have also had the chance to speak with South Asian and Sikh professionals and have gained priceless advice from them about religious and ethnic identity. One of the most memorable nights so far was meeting Rep. Ami Bera and talking to him about politics, school, and personal life. It is through experiences such as these that I hope to continue making connections, learn from those around me and, in the process, learn more about myself. –Sumeet Kaur
