Wendy Liu is interning with the Office of Immigrant Affairs this summer as part of the Mayor’s Internship Program. She has authored this introductory post as a way to share a little about herself with our community.
Tell us about yourself.
Hello! My name is Wendy Liu and I’m currently a rising senior at Temple University studying Political Science and Spanish. I grew up in Philly and was surrounded by an amazing immigrant community that inspired me to pursue immigration law in the future. At Temple, I am the president of the Pre-Law Society where we create a space for future attorneys to connect and prepare for the law school application process. The communities that surround me shaped the person I am today and I’m excited to contribute to the efforts that the City of Philadelphia does to serve the immigrant community!
What motivated you to intern with the Office of Immigrant Affairs?
When my parents left China, they sought a better life for my sisters and I; however, their experience transitioning to the American lifestyle was a challenge. I witnessed my parents struggle with feelings of isolation as the language barrier hindered their ability to fully transition to the States. Overall, it inspired me to help families like mine that feel they have no community to turn to. This feeling of isolation is a common experience. I’ve previously worked for refugee resettlement agencies that allowed me to speak directly to refugees, only growing my passion in assisting immigrants in the community. The Office of Immigrant Affairs focuses on uplifting communities that may feel neglected and creates a space for them to advocate for themselves.
What do you do in your free time?
Aside from my academic and professional side, I am a major foodie! Growing up in Philly, the food scene was fundamental to my upbringing. I love spending time with my friends and exploring the diverse food culture that Philly cultivates. My favorite time of the year is when the Southeast Asian food market opens up during the summer in FDR Park. Generally, Philly’s food scene is one of the best! Along with that, I enjoy bike-riding along Kelly Drive and Fairmount and spending time with my cat, Walter!
What are your other career experiences and goals?
Growing up in Philly, I’ve had an immense amount of opportunity to explore different career paths that ultimately lead to the same goal: uplifting underrepresented communities. I’ve worked for refugee resettlement agencies where I had the privilege of hearing stories of refugees that fled their countries to escape violence. In my role, I was tasked with helping them navigate the workforce, creating resumes, providing interview preparation, and multiple educational workshops on American culture. Following this, during the 2022 general election, I was a civic engagement intern for an organization that focuses on uplifting the Asian-American community in Pennsylvania. With Asian-Americans having some of the lowest voter turnout rates, it was so fulfilling to inspire others to exercise their civic duty. In the near future, I hope to attend law school and become an immigration attorney to provide services to vulnerable groups.
Do you have a favorite memory of Philadelphia?
My favorite memory exploring this city was bike-riding along Kelly Drive for the first time. I went with my friends and we gathered some food and drinks to have a small picnic in the grass after bike-riding. We watched the sunset while drinking bubble tea in mid-July. Sometimes I wish I could relive the experience for the first-time again because of how beautiful this experience was!
