Spring CHIP Fellow Ava Etemadi Reflects on Internship with Rep. Mike Levin
Pezeshkan Family Capitol Hill Internship Program Fellow Ava Etemadi is a sophomore at George Washington University’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in political science, with interests in environmental policy and foreign affairs. This Spring, she interned in the office of Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49).
“This spring semester, I had the honor of being a CHIP fellow with PAAIA while interning in the office of Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA). This internship was an invaluable experience found only in D.C. as I was able to work for my home congressman on Capitol Hill.
This internship provided me with an insight into the legislative process that can only be found through experience. Writing legislative memos on different bills up for consideration, attending crucial meetings and reviewing constituent correspondence received by the office provided me with a nuanced understanding of what really goes into crafting legislation and how it varies by office.
Since I’m interested in environmental policy, I was able to memo bills regarding clean energy and environmental regulations. I also worked on letters in response to issues that constituents had, a notable one being a letter condemning the human rights violations of the Iranian regime.
Attending congressional hearings was also an internship highlight, as I was able to attend hearings of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs as well as the House Committee on Natural Resources. These hearings were an insightful into what really goes on in Congress and committees.
Being a CHIP fellow also opened doors to many opportunities beyond my internship; I was able to attend the White House Nowruz Reception for Persian New Year with PAAIA and the Sarram Service Initiative! This event was definitely a highlight as it was lovely to be able to share the experience with other CHIP fellows, Iranian Americans, legislators and congressional staff. Seeing everyone come together for these kinds of events was extremely heartwarming.
Working in Congress was a life-changing experience. I went from being extremely nervous on my first days to being comfortable discussing and handling complex policy issues. In the future, I definitely hope to be back and complete either a Committee or Senate internship. I am extremely grateful to PAAIA for this opportunity and will always appreciate the connections I have made throughout this experience.”
June 13, 2024
