Enkhtaivan (Kenny) Tsogtbaatar is a rising junior studying International Studies at the University of Colorado, Denver. There, he is in the University Honors and Leadership Program, serves as an executive board member for the Asian Student Association, and volunteers at the Denver Rescue Mission and Food Bank of the Rockies. Enkhtaivan has also worked as an intern at his university’s Asian Student Association, a tutor at the UNIVERSAL English Language Center, and a translator for both the MATHSHOP program and the Mongolian Triathlon Union. Born in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Enkhtaivan attended the Mongol Aspiration International Laboratory School where he founded the table tennis and badminton clubs, participated and earned awards in Model United Nations and English Language Olympiads, and was a finalist for the US State Department Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX).
Internship Placement: CAPAL Office Intern
As a CAPAL scholar/intern, what does CAPAL mean to you?
CAPAL is my first experience with an AANHPI community outside of campus that interacts with a larger web of people. With my time at CAPAL I hope to connect and form meaningful relations with people who share similar interests from diverse backgrounds.
What is an issue or topic within the AANHPI communities that you feel passionate about addressing?
One issue within the AANHPI communities that I feel passionate about addressing is the mental health challenges faced by international students. Many international students, particularly those from Asian countries, grapple with immense pressure to succeed academically while adapting to a new culture and environment. This can lead to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression. However, cultural stigmas around mental health often prevent these students from seeking help. It is crucial to create more culturally sensitive mental health resources and support systems on campuses to ensure that international students feel understood, supported, and empowered to seek the help they need without fear of judgment or cultural misunderstanding. This also extends to everyone in all cultures and not just exclusive to the international (F-1) demographic (obviously :D).
What are your main responsibilities at your position? What are some of your big projects?
As an office intern at CAPAL, my daily duties consists mostly of research and communications. At the moment I am working on two future projects with my fellow interns which are the Washington Leadership Program (WLP) and the future Roundtable series.
How does this internship fit with your professional and career goals?
This internship at CAPAL aligns perfectly with my professional and career goals of pursuing civil work and eventually working at an international body like the UN. By learning how to network and operate effectively within an office environment at CAPAL, I am building a strong foundation for succeeding in a professional setting. The skills and experiences I gain here will be invaluable in navigating the complexities of international organizations, enabling me to contribute meaningfully to global initiatives and drive positive change in civil and humanitarian efforts.
What does public service mean to you? What sparked your interest or desire to get involved with public service?
To me, public service means bridging the gaps between diverse communities and working towards a more inclusive, equitable society. Having lived in different countries as a child, I often struggled with my own identity, feeling like I didn’t fully belong to any one culture. This unique perspective made me acutely aware of the challenges faced by those who live on the margins or feel disconnected from their surroundings. My interest in public service was sparked by these experiences of feeling like an outsider. I realized that I wanted to create spaces where everyone, regardless of their background or identity, feels valued and heard. Public service, for me, is a way to use my diverse experiences to foster understanding, support marginalized groups, and work towards a world where everyone’s identity is respected and celebrated.