By Catalina Grieco
This summer has taught me more about my community than I ever expected. I have come to understand how many people in Sarasota face barriers that are not always visible. Veterans struggle to access mental health resources or navigate the complexities of VA benefits. Families are caught in the long and difficult process of immigration. Entire neighborhoods are still recovering from the last hurricane. Damage is still visible, and the impact lingers. I knew these issues existed, but I did not grasp how deeply they affected people’s daily lives until now.
Personally, I have changed a lot since the start of this journey. I originally planned to stay in Sarasota all summer, but now I am preparing to spend a month in DC. That shift alone has made me feel more adventurous and confident. I have realized how important it is to experience new places and listen to new voices. Hearing firsthand from constituents about their frustrations and fears has only deepened my sense of purpose. I feel a stronger connection to my community-based interest now. It is no longer just something I care about in theory; it is something I feel responsible for.
Although my physical environment has not changed yet, I can already sense that my perspective is shifting. Even though I do not technically live in the district where I work, I am only five minutes away, and that has allowed me to learn more about the wider Tampa Bay area. I have begun to notice the differences and similarities in needs across nearby communities, and each interaction provides me with a clearer picture of how complex these systems really are. Though most of my current internship involves casework rather than policy, the real-world insight has been valuable. It is helping me build a foundation for what is ahead, even if I am not in a traditional policy making setting just yet.
As for what comes next, I have already begun a small but meaningful project. I have surveyed 20 students from five public universities in Florida about internships and access. My goal is to understand how students are engaging with opportunities and where gaps exist. To be honest, I have been reflecting on whether I need to shift my Capstone focus. It has been hard to observe certain political theories in action because my office is not directly involved in legislative processes. That might change once I am in DC, but for now I am leaning toward exploring internships as my main area of interest. The deeper I get into this experience, the more I realize that flexibility and responsiveness are just as important as research and planning.
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