Xandro Xu, COL ’25, Phoenixville, PA
Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamt about making a positive impact on my community, and this past summer, I had the chance to turn that dream into a tangible reality. I interned at the Until There’s A Cure Foundation in the San Francisco Bay Area, a nonprofit organization dedicated to HIV/AIDS advocacy efforts. This experience provided me with a platform to apply my knowledge in public health and research and to shape policy in a way that directly benefits those in need.
During my internship, I had the privilege of working on two critical projects. The first project involved drafting a policy proposal aimed at increasing support for formerly incarcerated individuals living with HIV or AIDS. This policy was designed to help them find stable housing in a city grappling with a severe housing crisis. The entire process was eye-opening, as I learned firsthand the intricacies and challenges of policy development. I also had the opportunity to present my proposal to influential figures in the San Francisco senate, which was an empowering experience that further fueled my passion for advocacy.
Working at the nonprofit was both satisfying and fulfilling. I collaborated with a diverse team of interns who were engaged in a wide range of projects, spanning from marketing to outreach. This collaborative environment allowed me to gain insights into different aspects of the nonprofit sector and the multifaceted nature of advocacy work.
Overall, my summer internship experience at Until There’s A Cure Foundation strengthened my commitment to advocacy and policy. It provided a clear direction for my career goals of becoming a physician-advocate and educator. I am grateful for the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the community, and I am eager to continue working toward positive change in the field of healthcare and public health. My summer experience has reinforced my belief that small steps can lead to significant progress, and I look forward to a future dedicated to making a lasting impact on my community and beyond.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2023 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
