Learning is something I typically associate with schooling — the obligatory elementary, middle, high school and university schooling. This summer, however, redefined my definition of learning and expanded it to a much larger notion: we are students of life every day. Some days we learn more than others, but every day we are indeed learning. Whether it is menial office tasks to attending Congressional briefings on human rights, constant learning and education define my experience in my temporary classroom: Washington, DC. I am a student on three fronts: as a SikhLEAD intern, as a Congressional intern and as a short-term DC local. As I prepare for work every morning, the prospect of immersing myself in the whirlwind of Washington, DC is exhilarating. Each day of my SikhLEAD internship carries invaluable lessons and collaborating with Capitol Hill staffers on issues significant to the Sikh American community is especially rewarding. 
Coming to DC for my internship at with Congressman Ami Bera, I had little to no idea what to expect. A multitude of questions swarmed my head: “Will I do meaningful work? What should I wear? More importantly, will I meet Barack Obama?” As I walked by the Capitol and into my new workplace, my fears were suddenly quelled and I felt prepared to engage in the democratic processes of our nation. Congressman Bera is the only Indian-American Congress member and he recently joined the American Sikh Congressional Caucus. This past November, Congressman Bera spoke at my university, UC Davis, to address his goals as an aspiring representative. His quest to diversify Congress, not only because he was a second-generation immigrant but a practicing physician, captivated me, and I was excited to hear that I would be representing SALDEF in his DC office. The first thing I noticed as I walked into my workplace for the next two months was the multitude of televisions, newspapers, and magazines displaying the latest news. Growing up I enjoyed reading newspapers front to back and to do so as a part of my job was a telling sign of the immense understanding I would develop over the course of the summer. From hearing our Legislative Director discuss foreign policy to seeing Congressman Bera evaluate US-India trade relations, my insight into American democracy grows daily. This past month, I had the unprecedented opportunity to staff a meeting with the Congressman and Major Kamaljeet Singh Kalsi. With the support of the Sikh Coalition, Major Kalsi is urging the US government to modernize the military’s appearance regulations and lift the presumptive ban on devout Sikh service. As a SikhLEAD intern, our office’s Chief of Staff tasked me with researching the ban and providing background information for the Congressman’s viewing. During the meeting, I listened as a serving soldier shared his concerns about protecting civil rights and allowing Sikh Americans to fight and defend their nation. To witness Sikh advocacy and the democratic process merge in the very office I worked in was something I could have never previously imagined; I felt incredibly honored to engage in the conversation. After this meeting, I continued to work on issues pertinent to Sikh Americans, such as assisting with the Oak Creek shooting statement and encouraging the office to sign a resolution honoring the victims of the shooting. When I am not in the halls of the Capitol, I am learning and absorbing a vast amount of knowledge from my fellow SikhLEAD interns and the numerous opportunities only available in our nation’s capital. During my first week working in DC, I walked over to the Supreme Court on my lunch break and witnessed celebrations after DOMA and Proposition 8 were struck down, a beautiful and moving scene I will never forget. A typical day after work involves exploring the DC streets with my fellow SikhLEAD-ers. From visiting the Lincoln Memorial to Georgetown Cupcakes to President Obama’s favorite hot spots, we have managed to take full advantage of our homework-free afternoons and explore the landmarks unique to the nation’s capital. 
The most impactful development and learning came through our program’s leadership development training from Craig Bowman of Common Ground Consulting. In our development training sessions, Craig prompted us interns with questions requiring introspection and articulation of our future goals. We did multiple exercises encouraging us to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and to address topics of internal and external debate. My favorite yet most daunting exercise was “street speaking” where we were asked to give a short speech in the middle of a busy park. Prior to speaking, I was overcome by nerves, but the power of sharing my thoughts to an intent group is a feeling I will never forget. I also enjoyed hearing my peers express their diverse passions and learn about how they intend on fulfilling their goals. I came into this summer hoping to gain experience in the working world and developing overall, but what I am leaving DC with is much more than I expected. Over the course of the past two months, my fellow interns have become my family away from home and DC’s metro stops have become my stomping grounds. Each day provides a new opportunity to learn and I have gladly embraced all the knowledge made available through SALDEF and working in the bustling Washington, DC. I may not have been sitting in the desks of a lecture hall, but I have certainly gained invaluable lessons in the classroom of our nation’s capital. –Ravneet Kaur
