Licensing

NCI Alumni Reflection: Stacy Iwata

Year 5 (2006)

I can honestly say that my involvement with the Nikkei Community Internship (NCI) has been one of the most memorable, rewarding, and fun experiences I ever had. I was an intern at the Pacific Citizen newspaper in 2006, when NCI was in its fifth year and still growing, so I am happy and blown away that the program has reached

the ten year milestone! Through NCI, I learned so much about the Japanese American/Asian Pacific American political issues, leadership, non-profit organizations, and most importantly, community; these are all lessons I will take with me wherever I go in life. I still keep in touch with my fellow NCI interns and try to stay somewhat involved with community events despite living far away from Little Tokyo. (Okay, San Diego is not extremely far, but it does make event planning somewhat difficult with the commute.) However, once I make my way back to Los Angeles (I plan on returning to school), I hope to become more involved in the community. After all, thanks to my involvement in NCI, I learned that community is where the home and heart are. Congratulations NCI on the 10th anniversary, and thank you for everything!