By Anna Charny '19

Earning a Fulbright has been one of the highlights of my academic and professional career. International relations allowed me to take courses from a multitude of departments and fostered an environment for global learning through the language and study abroad components. While I didn’t know it at the time, the flexibility within the international relations department to take classes in various departments, do research and earn academic credit for summer internships, ultimately constructed a perfect path towards earning a Fulbright.

In the summer of my freshman year, I interned with Breakthrough, an NGO based in the U.S. and India that aims to end violence against women through social media and workshops. Working with a team of people who were dedicated to creating positive social change inspired me to continue seeking out similar opportunities. After my junior year, I interned as a researcher in Vienna, Austria, for the international nonprofit Women without Borders, which is dedicated to preventing violent extremism in high-risk countries and promoting women leaders. These experiences gave me opportunities to learn about international human security and further solidified my hunger to enhance my global understanding.

During a study abroad in Seville, Spain, I took part in intercambios with new Spanish friends talking in English and Spanish, a conversational process that increased our language abilities exponentially, but also taught me a tremendous amount about southern Spain and them about New York. I learned how to dance Sevillanas, and we laughed good-naturedly at my missteps, and I poked fun at their many preconceived stereotypes about Estadounidenses and watched them pass their exams. Exchanging language and culture on such a personal level sparked a yearning to form these relationships wherever I go.

In Seville, Spanish flags seem to hang from every balcony as a political choice—a symbol that changes based on the region. My curiosity about Spain led me to choose an au pair job in Catalonia for the second half of that summer—a region so different from Andalucia. A few months later, I found myself moved by how the flags in my new town of Torroella de Montgri lacked the shield of Spain, like those in Seville. This small taste of the complexities of Spanish politics and society affirmed that I needed to return to Spain for further exploration through immersion. One of the reasons I chose to apply to Spain was because the placement includes not only classroom teaching in a school, but also a community-based project perhaps forming an English creative writing club for Galicians or volunteering with a local NGO.

Two months after graduating from Geneseo, I moved to Taipei, Taiwan, to start a job as an English language teacher and immerse myself in Taiwanese society. Collaborating with Taiwanese teachers and learning their educational methodologies confirmed how much more I have to learn about the world of education and the global community. Becoming a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) is not just stepping into the shoes of an English teacher or a community leader, but an opportunity to be a cultural ambassador to help strengthen Spanish-US relations. I often feel like a sponge—eager to learn, ask questions, and soak up my surroundings. Moving abroad for an extended period of time as a Fulbrighter will allow me to move past being just an American traveler, as I join a community and a new culture, to meet and learn from like-minded leaders, educators, and new friends.

My intercultural experiences have taught me the power of language—teaching it, learning it, and not knowing it. Language is a mechanism of inclusion and bonding, but not knowing it can create an environment that is exclusionary and segregated, a dilemma I understand. As an ETA, I will be given the opportunity to once again help provide Spaniards the language tools to connect more deeply with English speaking cultures and opportunities, and I want to grow as well.

After my time in Spain, I am planning on a dual master’s degree in law and international relations so that I can continue to learn about the global community. I aspire towards a career in international law that will include research and writing, advancing public policy, and positively influencing students I teach. In our evolving, globalized world, human connection is the key to diplomacy and advancement, and language is a necessary step to that connection.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) is a nonprofit organization aimed at providing leadership development and valuable Capitol Hill experience to emerging Latino leaders from across the nation. As a member of CHCI’s Congressional Internship Program, I’ve been exposed to leadership opportunities aligned with my own professional and personal growth. I was placed in the office of Congressman José E. Serrano, one of the longest serving Latinos in Congress, representing the 15th District of New York. Thus far, my experience has been transformational in every sense of the word. I have had the opportunity to network with Latinx professionals in the legal advocacy field, engage in conversations with members of Congress, and explore my own interests. As a first-generation Latina student from the Bronx, New York, I am now more confident in my professional skills and ability to advocate for myself.

Upon arriving in Washington, DC, I underwent orientation—a week filled with informational workshops, workplace training, and team bonding. The 23 other students and I learned about the daunting reality of Capitol Hill and the importance of our selection as interns. We heard on numerous occasions that our placement on Capitol Hill meant we represented not only CHCI but our respective communities, universities, and other marginalized groups. Every day that I enter the doors of my congress member’s office, I’m reminded that people back home are advocating for me, and I must do the same through my efforts on Capitol Hill.

As an intern on Capitol Hill, I am primarily responsible for answering constituent phone calls, attending hearings and policy briefings, writing memorandums, responding to constituent letters, and attending to other responsibilities as they come up. Not only is the workplace environment fast-paced, it is also meant to expose me to a wide variety of work during a short time. So far, the most memorable experience I have had has been attending the Judiciary Committee’s impeachment hearing. The hearing lasted approximately three hours and featured arguments from both Republicans and Democrats as to how our current administration has or has not engaged in fraudulent practices while in office. Similarly, I attended a hearing on ICE detention centers in the United States and their inhumane treatment of immigrant detainees. These helped me realize the value of first-hand experiences, rather than the study of them. Although I have spent the last three years of my undergraduate career studying political science, and more specifically the workings of federal government, it did not compare to sitting through actual congressional meetings revolving specific public policy issues and legislation.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute has opened doors for me that I did not even know existed. Last month, at an annual gala organized by CHCI, I had the opportunity to meet with prominent Latino leaders, such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and presidential candidate Julian Castro; engage in meaningful conversations with local Latino advocacy organizations; and dance alongside congressional members to live music performed by Puerto Rican musician Tito Nieves. I also had the opportunity to attend a presidential forum and hear from presidential candidates Senator Corey Booker, South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, and Senator Amy Klobuchar about their general policy stances and reasoning behind their decisions to run for president.

One of the best experiences I have had as a CHCI intern is meeting Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (AOC), the congresswoman representing my hometown district of the Bronx. She is both one of the youngest women elected to Congress and a Latina with a working-class background. Her story is an example of the importance of persistence, community engagement, and hard work. One of Ocasio Cortez’ most notable campaign ads features the statement, “Women like me aren’t supposed to run for office.” In the face of adversity, Ocasio Cortez chose to rise above her circumstances and run for congressional office. As a leader, she is using her political platform to advocate on behalf of Latino communities on issues such as gentrification, higher education access, and comprehensive immigration reform. Upon meeting her at the CHCI gala, I was reminded of my purpose in Washington, DC, and the goals I had set for myself as an incoming student at Geneseo.

Ultimately, the experiences I have been exposed to through CHCI have taught me that leadership spaces on Capitol Hill are open and accessible to individuals like myself, and it is time that we claim these spaces.