A Personal Journey

Lyndsi Sherman, a junior at San Diego State University, participated in APN's joint internship program with the American Task Force on Palestine this summer. She prepared this reflection on what she learned through her experience here.

On my first day of interning in DC, I naturally made the smart decision of leaving my phone at home. Not only did I have no form of communication, but it also happened to hold the address, directions, and phone numbers of the APN office...

Considering that this was my first full day in the city, I also had no idea how the road system worked, and didn't want to even begin figuring out the public transportation system. So, you could imagine my relief when a friend who goes to George Washington University offered his assistance in getting me to my office. After a walk full of wrong turns, wrong buildings, and asking strangers for directions, I found myself at the lobby of APN's office. I've never been so thankful for air conditioning in my life.

I have spent the last six weeks at APN learning, arguing, and in many ways finding my way through a maze of opinions about the Israel-Palestine conflict. I entered APN with little factual knowledge of the conflict, and based my opinions on my love for Israel. I had traveled to Israel several times, and thought I had experienced almost everything Israel had to offer. However, a very important aspect of my education had been ignored. I was told that I should never travel to the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and God forbid I ever step foot into Gaza. I knew that there was violence in those areas, and to me, this meant that these were "bad" places.

APN has taught me more than I ever thought possible. My views of the Israel- Palestinian conflict have shifted from an uncritical Pro-Israel narrative. I now understand that to be Pro-Israel should not mean to be Anti-Palestine. I know that to be Pro-Israel is to be Pro-Peace.

During the past six weeks, I have been given countless opportunities to engage in discussions with other young adults about the conflict, and have learned so much just by talking about the issue. I have also been able to meet with various staff members on the Hill that specialize in this issue. Learning that other people in Congress feel the same way I do is more comforting than I would have ever imagined.

Another amazing aspect of this internship is the relationship APN has with the American Task Force on Palestine. For the past month, I have had the pleasure of working very closely with the ATFP interns (you can see me with them in the picture above). We participated in joint meetings, and have attended each other's events as well. Just by talking to them, I realized that the "other side" is not so different after all. Also, having the experience of not only meeting, but working with a student who is from Gaza, has been an experience like no other. I have realized that although Gaza is a troubled area, the people who live there deserve peace, freedom and dignity like any other human.

I would absolutely recommend this internship for anyone who is interested in the Middle East conflict. Regardless if you are Jewish or Arab, religious or secular, this internship is a perfect fit. It has challenged everything that I have learned and experienced about the Middle East conflict, and has really taught me to take the things I hear about the conflict and assess their merit for myself. The only regret I have is not staying here longer. But I know I will stay involved through APN's activist program and having an APN staff member come speak at my campus.

APN has given me an amazing summer, and I can only wish the same for more students in the future.