Thanks to a Los Angeles-based program called Project Talent Launch, AWIU was the beneficiary of three Temple City High School (in southern California) interns this summer.
Lidia Tian worked with Betsy Richman to conduct research and interviews, and write articles for The Minute and this issue of Connections – see her byline with several articles. Barbara Rubio’s intern, Jiayi Karen Li, researched contact information and the status of International Women of Courage on behalf of what will be an IWOC Alumnae group. Kavya Madhavan worked with Miranda Cohen to research potential sponsors and recruiters for this year’s COIR symposium. The internships were four weeks long, began in mid-July, and concluded in mid-August.
Project Talent Launch is the brainchild of former Polytechnic School student Steven Li. In AWIU member Ann Diederich’s Global Scholars class at Polytechnic School (Passport Michaela Sabbag was also in this class), he wrote a grant proposal to fund internships with global nonprofits. Each intern receives $1,000 if they successfully complete their work. AWIU, the Global Village Foundation, the United Nations Association and the L.A. World Affairs Council all had Project Talent Launch interns this summer.
Meet Our Interns
Lidia Tian, 15
“I'm a rising junior at Temple City High School. During school hours, you will most likely find me all over the campus, hanging out with my friends at lunch, in a classroom attending a club meeting, or sweating outside on the tennis courts. Outside of school, I like to spend most of my time volunteering or binge-watching my favorite TV show, “Gilmore Girls.” I am also involved in various non-profits and have a passion for community service. I’m Chinese-American, and have spent every summer of my life traveling around China, also Japan and Korea, and I’m fluent in Mandarin. In the future, I hope to continue my academic career in health sciences or a related field. I am very excited about my internship with AWIU, and hope to learn from this experience.”
Jiayi Karen Li, 16
“I am a motivated rising junior at Temple City High School. On campus, you will find me laughing with my friends, immersed in a song, or studying for a test. This upcoming year, I am striving to push myself past my limits by signing up for clubs, participating in competitions, and guiding incoming freshmen through their first year of high school in a program called Link Crew. I started my goals with this AWIU internship! As it was my first experience being an intern, I was extremely nervous, but the more I connected with the wonderful members of AWIU, the less anxious I felt. They graciously guided me through my research, and I truly felt part of the team. Through my research, I have learned a great deal from the outstanding women who have won the International Women of Courage Award. They inspired me to continue pursuing a career in STEM despite the obstacles I will face. I am grateful for this opportunity with AWIU by my side.”
