Fast Facts

Department: Events
Hometown: Oak Park, CA
College/University and Major: USC, International Relations and East Asian Languages & Cultures
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese
Go-to source for news and information: The Daily Beast, Foreign Policy, and the BBC 
The last thing I Googled for work: “public health policy usc”
Fun Fact: I spent half of 2015 in China studying Chinese and interning at the U.S. Embassy

What drew you to the Pacific Council?

This past summer, I had the honor to intern at the United States Embassy in Beijing, China. I immersed myself in the world of international politics and diplomacy. Upon returning to the United States, I was determined to find a program in Los Angeles that could satiate my desire to stay involved in the field of international relations, outside of the classroom. The Pacific Council was the prime choice.

With a plethora of experts on international policy, high-profile members, and fascinating discussions and events regarding global politics, it was not a difficult decision to apply. My expectations have only been exceeded since joining the team.

When did you first realize you had a passion for international affairs?

I've had a passion for international affairs since middle school. I was always interested in my history courses, especially regarding world history. Then in high school, I had the chance to take a course on European History, which left me wanting more. I began expanding beyond domestic political news into the international realm, and realized that my future would be in international policy. The world began to shrink before my very eyes as I came to understand how everyone is intertwined in some way in the international sphere. By the time I entered college, I had already decided upon an International Relations major.  

What is the most interesting thing you’ve done since starting at the Pacific Council?

The most interesting thing I’ve done was assist in the production of an event featuring Ambassador John Limbert, who was one of the Americans held hostage during the Iranian Revolution. Hearing his testimony, as well as his perspective on the Iran Nuclear Deal and the future of Iran, was fascinating. It was also pertinent to one of my courses at the time: we had just begun discussing diplomatic engagement and aggression in U.S. foreign policy. I am also interested in joining the Foreign Service, thus felt privileged to hear from current and former members of the State Department.

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The Pacific Council’s Junior Fellowship program offers students and recent graduates the unique opportunity to work alongside our staff of non-profit and foreign policy professionals. Apply now to become a Summer 2016 Junior Fellow!