By: Melanie Chapilliquen
Melanie Chapilliquen is a sophomore communications major with a focus in strategic communication.
Remember when you were little and you finally got to ride the “big” ride at a fair and were smiling from ear to ear? That’s what I felt for two weeks with no end.
Last summer, I was one of 30 students in the nation chosen to go to Washington, D.C. for the Hispanic National Bar Foundation’s internship offered every summer. Everything was paid for and had the opportunity to meet with Hispanic attorneys around the nation who thrived in their profession and were able to positively impact their communities.
I stayed at American University, where I learned from attorneys’ legal proceedings, spoke with judges and became exposed to different individuals with a graduate degree from law school who worked unconventional jobs. The internship provided an insight into how Hispanics are highly underrepresented in the legal field. We heard testimonies from speakers and our counselors that broke our hearts. I think I learned far more from a personal perspective than what I learned from the legal teachings. Yes, legal teachings are important, but the lessons about humanity, compassion and determination have no comparison.
The people who came to share their stories came from all walks of life. They had been in single parent households, worked since they were 12 years old, crossed the border, stopped going to school to help provide for their parents – you name it. They embodied the determination and the heart of what it meant to follow your dream and rise from nothing.
Upon our arrival, the Hispanic National Bar Foundation members decided to give students the grand tour of D.C. They had the law dean, a real-estate law professor from FIU, come in and give us a warm welcome and an itinerary for the next two weeks. This was only the beginning. The trip was filled with meetings, jobs, field trips and mock trial prep time. Throughout our stay we would have attorneys, judges and speakers from across the nation. This included the FIU law dean, the Cornell law dean, prestigious judges from across the nation and successful attorneys who thrived in their prospective areas.
The day before we were to travel home we would be presenting our assigned case in the Washington, D.C. district court where a judge would determine whether we would receive a verdict of guilty or not guilty on specific charges. We would be split into two sides, the prosecution and defense and we would be asked to present the case. An actual presiding judge evaluated our skills and abilities and determined the outcome. Talk about completely nerve-wracking. The mock trial was an unforgettable experience.
That night we attended the Hispanic National Bar Foundation’s Gala, which was a great experience. We had the ability to network with attorneys, judges and law school deans. Many individuals were honored and as a high schooler who really hadn’t traveled outside of Florida much, this was like my version of seeing a concert from the first row.
D.C. wasn’t all work and no play. It is filled with rich culture, and even if you’re not a fan of history lessons, the food is great and so is the scenery. We had a bus that would drive us around all of D.C. to the different museums and significant locations. That day, I felt at home. A bunch of high school graduates given the freedom to roam around the historic national landmarks and places was pretty amazing. This was the first taste of liberty that most of us had – no parents looking over our shoulders guiding our every step and move. Being with friends from sunrise to the late hours of the night cracking jokes while dancing and singing and learning was an unforgettable experience. Life’s about getting out of your comfort zone and seeing the world from a different perspective. This was the second time I had applied to the internship and was finally chosen. This was the first time I traveled alone, stayed away from home for such a long time, and had the opportunity to meet influential national leaders. Even a profession as serious as law is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest. Play around, meet new people, gain new experiences and don’t limit yourself. We are in our prime years to travel and to learn and to get over our fears. Even speaking in front of federal judges is no big deal.
