This summer, I had the privilege of carrying out my Leadership-in-Action (LiA) Project with the Chinatown Service Center (CSC) in Washington, DC. CSC is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to supporting Asian immigrants by providing access to language, health, and education services. Through this project, I hoped to address barriers faced by newly arrived Chinese immigrants, many who struggle with limited English proficiency, difficulties navigating the healthcare system, and limited knowledge of educational opportunities.

My LiA Project aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG #10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG #3: Good Health and Well-being) by working to expand access to essential services that promote immigrant integration and well-being. Over the course of six weeks, I helped design and deliver bilingual ESL workshops, assisted families with healthcare navigation, and developed educational resource guides tailored to the immigrant community. These initiatives were complemented by outreach efforts, including the creation of bilingual pamphlets distributed throughout the community to raise awareness of CSC’s services.

My LiA work was informed by my prior semester in Beijing, where I participated in an immersive Mandarin program at Capital Normal University and volunteered with the Chinese Organization for Rare Disorders (CORD). At CORD, I supported advocacy and awareness campaigns for families navigating rare disease diagnoses. This experience exposed me to systemic challenges around healthcare access, health communication, and patient support networks in China. Applying my linguistic fluency and cultural insights from Beijing allowed me to connect more deeply with the community in DC. I was able to not only teach English and guide but also to listen empathetically to their experiences and frustrations, recognizing the broader structural inequities at play.

The Laidlaw Scholars Programme emphasizes developing leadership through action, resilience, and collaboration. Over the summer, I learned that leadership is less about giving directives and more about creating space for trust, partnership, and empowerment.

One challenge I faced was immigrant families’ hesitancy to participate in workshops due to concerns about immigration status or distrust of unfamiliar systems. To overcome this, I worked closely with CSC staff to integrate cultural sensitivity practices into programming and designed flexible, approachable classes. I framed sessions as collaborative learning environments where participants could share experiences and ask questions openly.

Through this process, I strengthened my ability to lead with empathy and adaptability. I also saw how small-scale, community-driven efforts can produce ripple effects: one student, after completing our ESL sessions, expressed that she felt confident enough to navigate the doctor’s office more independently. These seemingly modest outcomes underscore the profound impact of reducing barriers to daily life.

The Laidlaw Guidelines shaped both the structure and the outcomes of my project:

• Curiosity & Creativity: Designing tailored bilingual ESL lesson plans and resource guides that reflected the specific needs of Chinese immigrants.
• Leadership: Coordinating with CSC, leading workshops, and advocating for families in healthcare and educational contexts.
• Critical Thinking: Identifying gaps in immigrant services and creating solutions informed by both local needs and international insights from Beijing.
• Collaboration: Working with CSC staff, community leaders, and immigrant families to co-create sustainable solutions.
• Research & Project Management: Collecting feedback, tracking participation, and compiling an impact report to inform CSC’s future programming.

This project deepened my commitment to pursuing a career in medicine with a focus on reducing healthcare disparities. By working at the intersection of language, culture, and health, I have seen firsthand how improving communication and access can transform lives. My experiences in both Beijing and Washington, DC, reaffirmed that healthcare equity must be pursued not only in hospitals but also in communities through education, advocacy, and leadership.

I would like to sincerely thank the Laidlaw Scholars Foundation, the Georgetown University Laidlaw Scholars Programme, and my LiA project advisor, Hadassah Wong at the Chinatown Service Center, for their guidance, support, and mentorship throughout this journey. Their encouragement empowered me to connect global insights with local action, and to grow as a leader dedicated to service and equity.