Joseph's Reflection on TANIP Experience

My name is Joseph Tak Maga, and it was an honor to be apart of the the Royal Thai Embassy’s TANIP program. When I applied to this fellowship I didn’t have a career path laid out, with an internship in Washington as a checkbox to be marked off, or a grand vision of a future in public service. I had been interested in foreign affairs all my life, but I had never really seen a place for me in this field. I am a fourth-year student at UC Berkeley in California, and my studies in college reflect my indecision. I am majoring in Economics and Music, with minors in Political Economy, and Public Policy. I was interested in Economic Development studies but didn’t see a path outside of academia that seemed fulfilling.

The TANIP program has completely changed my outlook, not only on my personal future, but on what this type of work actually means. At the end of the day, it’s about the people. Nowhere was this more apparent than in my first week in DC, where I met the rest of the TANIP cohort as well as the other professional development fellows at the US-Asia Institute. The speakers there were inspiring not just in the work that they were doing, but in how each of their own career paths provide unique perspectives for their
interests.

But what really struck me was the passion of the other TANIP fellows. Olivia, Alyssa, Natasha, and Oakley all continue to inspire me with their whole-hearted enthusiasm, which they direct not only towards their work, but also to the people around them. Thank you. I also want to express my gratitude to USAI President Mary Sue Bissell, Amanda, Anna, Althea, and the rest of the USAI staff for organizing events and for their support over the entire summer.

At my internship at the East-West Center, I found a welcoming and supportive community. This was no accident; it is the direct result of the efforts of the East-West staff, who’s work with their Young Professionals Program is truly something to be proud of. I would like to thank Abbigail Hull, Aryan D’Rozario, and Lilah Connel for their kindness and mentorship during my time there.

I was fortunate to be able to work on many different projects while at the East-West Center. From researching the supply chain of critical minerals for the ASEAN Matters for America publication to summarizing the results of opinion polls, or even learning about the history of the New York Philharmonic in Asia, the work that I engaged in broadened not only my knowledge, but interests. I learned and wrote about the people-to-people ties. Mochi in Hawaii, Thai Restaurants in New York, and even the Royal Thai
Embassy’s Sawasdee DC event for the East-West Website.

I also had the opportunity to attend over a dozen events for the center. One of my favorite events that I attended was on Development Aid in Southeast Asia at the Australian Embassy, not just because they had really good snacks, or even because the topic interested me. Rather, it was the people, who could speak about these topics and the impact on citizens all across the world. It showed me that the things that I was

interested in have a place here. I am proud of my efforts at the center, and hope that my work will further the mission of increasing cross-Pacific ties. These are the bedrock of relations, quite appropriate considering that all of us are physical embodiments of personal diplomacy.

My time here at the Royal Thai Embassy has been a culmination of everything that I have learned this summer. Thank you to His Excellency the Ambassador, DCM Chuliepote, P’Jao,P’Jack, P’Toey P’Sart, P’Aim , and P’John for their foresight in investing in us, not only through the program, but also with their time while we were there. Whether it is writing a memo on supply chains, or taking notes on a meeting with diplomats from all the ASEAN countries, the consideration that they have shown me embodies what they want from us: a deeper understanding of Thai-US relations, and the drive to empower and promote the Thai Community in the United States.

I’m not sure what the future holds for me, much to the consternation of my parents to which I will give my final and biggest thank you. But I do know what I have learned during my time here. The diverse cultures that live in the United States only exist because of individuals who value them, and work to maintain and cherish their community. No matter where I go, I will continue to cherish mine.