Leela Cullity Younger '24 was awarded a Humanity in Action Fellowship to participate in a two week intensive training related to immigration rights and advocacy alongside 15 peers from other European countries.
Why did you choose to apply for this award?
While I focused a lot on immigration law and policy during my time at Oxy, I have continued to learn about immigrant rights and justice during my time at the NYC Commission on Human Rights since graduation. I have missed an academic avenue to continue learning about evolving policies and realities in this field - so HiA seemed like a good opportunity to pursue this!
Briefly describe the work you will be doing on your fellowship.
I will be visiting Berlin for 2 weeks and doing intensive seminars with 15 other cohort members from European countries related to immigration rights and advocacy in the context of rising authoritarianism and xenophobia in Germany and globally.
What are you most looking forward to during your time as a fellow?
I'm looking forward to being in an international cohort with early-career professionals who are also dedicated to this specific advocacy issue! Other international perspectives and the opportunity to bond and grow with others while visiting Berlin really excites me!
How have your experiences at Oxy prepared you to apply for this award?
Starting from when I joined freshman year virtually and participated in the immersive California immigration semester to writing my comps about immigration policy in Canada, the professors, the students, and the experiences/ internships prepared me to know about this issue area so I could explain my dedication and interest in it throughout my application.
What advice would you give future applicants about the application process?
I think it's really helpful to talk about what you are going to do with this experience next - i.e. I talked about how I hope to bring the lessons I learn and development I gain back to the work I do at the City Commission on Human Rights. Also work on your application ahead of time so you can do many takes of your action project pitch!