OCA Summer Internship in Washington, DC: Paid Ten-Week Programme for Students Passionate About AANHPI Issues

OCA National Center is offering the OCA Summer Internship Washington DC, a paid, ten-week summer internship in Washington, D.C. for undergraduates and recent graduates who care about issues affecting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Interns work full time at a placement organisation, join weekly leadership sessions, and receive a stipend of $5,250 before tax. Applications close on 3 January at 11:59 PM Pacific Time, with a priority deadline on 29 November.

This is an in-person programme, and every intern must move to Washington, D.C. for the whole ten weeks. It runs from Monday 7 June to Friday 13 August, with up to 35 hours a week at the placement site plus required programme activities.

Who this internship is built for

The programme is aimed at students who have shown a real interest in uplifting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities. AANHPI is a short way of naming people with roots in Asia, Native Hawaii, and the Pacific Islands. You do not need to belong to one of these communities: the internship is open to all identities interested in AANHPI issues.

To be eligible, you must be a full-time undergraduate at an accredited institution, or a recent graduate who finished within one year of the internship start. You must also have completed your first year of college by the time the programme begins. You do not need to be a United States citizen, and DACA and undocumented students are eligible if they hold a Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number.

Two groups cannot apply. Former OCA National Summer Interns are not eligible, although former OCA Chapter Interns may still apply. Children or dependents of OCA National staff members, OCA Executive Council members, or OCA Business Advisory Council members are also excluded.

What your summer actually looks like

Most interns are placed at an outside organisation rather than at OCA itself, and placements span nonprofits, federal agencies, congressional offices, and for-profit companies. Past placements have included AARP, the AFL-CIO, APIAVote, and Teach For America. Your placement is decided after acceptance, through interviews arranged by OCA, and you find out your placement several weeks after acceptance.

Beyond the placement, every Friday the cohort gathers for five-hour sessions called Sama Sama, a Tagalog word meaning together, covering AANHPI issues, guest speakers, and workshops. Interns also complete a full-day APIA-U leadership training, take part in Advocacy Day meetings with members of Congress, and attend and staff the OCA National Convention.

OCA Summer Internship Washington DC: what the stipend covers, and what it does not

The $5,250 stipend is paid before tax, so you will need to file taxes on this income in the next tax season, and interns who do not complete the full ten weeks will have their stipend reduced. Selected interns also receive a professional mentor, access to the OCA alumni network, and one year of free OCA membership.

The money question applicants most often get wrong is housing. OCA states plainly that it cannot provide support with relocation to Washington, D.C., and it does not provide money for summer housing, although it does share a housing guide. Travel, meals, and lodging are covered only for the National Convention itself. If you cannot arrange housing for ten weeks, solve that problem before you accept a place, not after.

An honest check before you apply

You are a strong fit if you meet the eligibility rules and can commit to the full ten weeks in Washington, D.C., including Friday sessions and Advocacy Day. You should probably not apply if you cannot relocate for the full period, even if your placement site works remotely, because attendance at OCA programming in the city is still required. The same applies if you plan to take part in another paid fellowship or internship at the same time, unless OCA grants an exemption.

Putting together an application that stands out

OCA asks for more writing than a typical internship form, so start early. You will need a short bio of up to 300 words, a resume of no more than two pages, a college transcript showing your grade point average, descriptions of up to three experiences in each of leadership, community service, and employment, one short answer of up to 300 words, two essays of up to 500 words each, and two non-family references. Unofficial transcripts are accepted.

The short answer asks how the programme would benefit you, what you hope to learn, and what skills you would bring to fellow interns. The essays ask you to choose one AANHPI issue you care about and explain what sparked your interest, and to reflect on a time when you questioned a belief. Pick a specific story, because the panel looks for leadership potential, passion for the community, and character fit. OCA asks for reference contact details only, not letters of recommendation. For comparison, see the FAO paid internship programme and the WIPO internship programme.

How to apply, step by step

First, read the full official programme page, including the eligibility rules, before you touch the form. Then gather your documents, draft your bio, short answer, and essays, and confirm your two references. Next, complete the online application through the official OCA page and review every field before submitting.

Questions applicants usually ask