This week was incredibly busy but also deeply fulfilling. I feel like I’m in a strong rhythm with my work, and each day brings more confidence in handling the tasks I’m given. I had a meeting with my supervisor to share how things are going so far, and during our conversation, I reflected on how informed I’ve become. I think this is the most knowledgeable I’ve ever been about current events, as I spend most of my time compiling, synthesizing, and analyzing news related to policies and global affairs. 

One of my favorite aspects of my LiA experience so far is the people I work with. Although the team is made up of various different personalities, we’re united by a shared commitment to advocacy, which creates a uniquely dynamic and supportive environment. On Monday, I joined a coworker at a community event after work, where she introduced me to many of the friends she’s made through her activism. Everyone I met spoke warmly of her and welcomed me with genuine kindness. It was another reminder of how powerful it feels to be part of a passionate, purpose-driven community.

After work on Wednesday, I invited one of my coworkers to join me for a screening of the documentary Who Killed Shireen, a Zeteo production hosted at the National Press Club. The forty-minute investigative film examined the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh and was followed by a panel discussion. I found the documentary very compelling, and I was glad to have a friend there to process and discuss our reactions afterward. The panel discussion was especially engaging, featuring Dion Nissenbaum, a former Wall Street Journal foreign correspondent and executive producer of the film; Jihan Abdalla, a reporter from The National; Mehdi Hasan, Zeteo founder and executive producer; and Abderrahim Foukara, Al Jazeera's Washington D.C. bureau chief. Once again, I found myself in a space I never imagined being in—without any background in journalism, this experience still felt deeply meaningful.

Finally, at work on Thursday, two filmmakers visited the office to screen an unreleased film about Alex Odeh, a former director of the ADC’s West Coast branch. I found the film deeply engaging, as it offered a comprehensive overview of Arab American history from the 1980s to the present. This week, in particular, exposed me to a range of powerful mediums for activism and education.