![\"\"](\"http:\/\/capalnew.tegradesign.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/Areeba-Haider-CAPAL-Headshot.jpg\")
Areeba is a rising senior at the University of Michigan studying Public Policy with a concentration on Housing and Transportation and a minor in Writing. This summer, she is interning at Senator Gary Peters’ office.<\/p>\nAreeba is a rising senior at the University of Michigan studying Public Policy with a concentration on Housing and Transportation and a minor in Writing. This summer, she is interning at Senator Gary Peters’ office.<\/p>\n
What major projects are you working on in your internship? What responsibilities are you most excited about and why? <\/b><\/p>\n
I\u2019m interning at the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Spending Oversight and Emergency Management, which means that I get to work on a breadth of issues, ranging from researching FEMA programs to finding examples of government waste. I\u2019m most excited to be able to conduct research one day and read a related news story the next; it\u2019s an exciting and unique time to be in the Senate, and I\u2019m looking forward to seeing the \u201cbehind-the-scenes\u201d work that isn\u2019t always presented elsewhere.<\/span><\/p>\n When did you realize you wanted to explore public service? <\/b><\/p>\n I\u2019ve always been interested in issues of social justice. When I was younger, I was always curious about the inequality I saw and I always wanted to understand <\/span>why <\/span><\/i>it existed. My attempt to answer that question inspired me to explore public service as a way to contribute to solutions instead of just complaining to the side. I saw that so many life-altering policy decisions had been made without input from marginalized communities and I knew that I wanted to enter public service and make sure my voice was heard.<\/span><\/p>\n I\u2019ll be in DC until December through a program by my university, so I\u2019m in the process of finding employment for the fall. After these internships, I\u2019d like to have a clearer understanding of what path might be right for my career. I\u2019d like to know what kind of work environment I prefer, in which form I prefer my advocacy, and how I can best contribute my skills to the causes I care about.<\/span><\/p>\n What are you looking forward to in DC \/ where your internship is located? <\/b><\/p>\n I\u2019m excited to take advantage of all of the free events going on in the city! I feel like there\u2019s always something new and exciting to take part in, so I\u2019m looking forward to just experiencing as much as I can. I\u2019m also looking forward to being surrounded by so many intelligent, passionate people and learning as much as possible from them.<\/span><\/p>\n What is something that most people would not know about you? <\/b><\/p>\n Something most people might not know about me is that I\u2019m really into musicals and Broadway (and not just Hamilton, although I do love Hamilton with all of my heart). This is mostly surprising because I have no artistic or musical talents, and I\u2019ve never been involved in anything vaguely close to theatre. But it\u2019s a bit of an obsession, no matter how much my family makes fun of me.<\/span><\/p>\n I think the most meaningful thing from the WLP sessions has not just been the weekly topics or the overall theme, but being able to see a variety of Asian Americans in public service, all finding ways to advocate for their communities no matter what their specific job titles may be. As an editor for a section in my university\u2019s paper that is meant for people of color, it\u2019s also rewarding to see the strength of narrative in every avenue of public service. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Posted by Nattacha Munakata<\/em><\/p>\n ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/capalnew.tegradesign.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/capal-2.jpg\")
What are your plans\/ goals after this internship? Are there any goals you want to accomplish this summer? <\/b><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/capalnew.tegradesign.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/capal-1.jpg\")
What has been the most interesting\/ meaningful thin you’ve learned from CAPAL’s Washington Leadership Program so far? Why? <\/b><\/p>\nMeet all of our CAPAL Scholars & Interns\u00a0here.<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Nattacha Munakata is currently a rising sophomore at George Mason University, studying Community Health with a concentration in Clinical Science (Pre-med). On campus, she is Peer Health Advisor, working to raise awareness and educate students on health issues. She is also involved in TEDxGMU and Thai Student Association. Outside, she likes to volunteer for local organizations and events, such as the DC Sakura matsuri and her local FIRST robotics team. During her free time, she likes to watch Netflix dramas and explore new music. <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"