The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) sponsored Bahar Babagoli and Rana Agahi for its Fall 2025 Capitol Hill Internship Program (CHIP). The CHIP Fellowship offers Iranian American students and recent graduates the opportunity to gain firsthand experience in the legislative process, deepen their understanding of public policy, and explore careers in public service on Capitol Hill.
Below, Bahar and Rana reflect on their experiences on Capitol Hill through the CHIP Fellowship.
Bahar Babagoli
“This was my second CHIP fellowship, and it was an incredible experience. Although I had interned previously, this opportunity introduced new challenges and experiences that further deepened my passion for public policy. I have admired Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari from her time on the City Council and then her career in the House of Representatives. So, I was thrilled to receive an internship offer in her office (AZ-03). I moved to Washington DC in Fall 2025, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences I have ever had.
Even though I am not originally from Arizona, I was very passionate to work for Congresswoman Ansari because she is the youngest woman in Congress and she is the first Iranian American Democrat to serve in House. I am very thankful for the guidance of the mentors at PAAIA which led me in the right direction – Masoud Mostajabi, Morad Ghorban, and others. They were consistently kind and supportive during my internship experience, regularly checking in and offering encouragement, especially during the longest government shutdown.
Not only was this experience memorable because of the member I was working for, but it was also bittersweet to now be able to say that I interned during the longest government shutdown in US history. Just three weeks into my internship, the government shutdown presented many challenges and feelings of uncertainty which made the experience much less traditional than what I had anticipated. While my time as an intern was cut short, it was still extremely valuable and special because I got to learn so much regarding the policies that Congresswoman Ansari supports and being able to witness her impactful work on the Oversight Committee firsthand.
There are not enough words to describe how grateful I am for this internship, and I could not have done it without the support of PAAIA and its members. I am excited to carry the skills and lessons gained into my future career. This internship strengthened my passion and commitment to public policy and public service. The CHIP Fellowship is truly a unique and unmatched opportunity!”
Rana Agahi
“When I decided to attend college in Washington, D.C., I—like many other GW students—knew I wanted to intern on Capitol Hill. But early on, I realized how difficult that would be without the right connections. Nearly every upperclassman I spoke to emphasized the same thing: access matters. Determined to make it happen, I reached out to the CHIP Fellowship team well before becoming a fellow. I knew I wanted to be part of the program, and to work on the Hill, and the guidance I received from the start was unmatched. That early support helped shape a path forward, and eventually led to my internship in the office of Congressman Mike Levin.
Once I joined the office as a legislative intern, I quickly became familiar with the full range of responsibilities that keep a congressional office functioning. I answered phones, sorted mail, gave Capitol tours, and managed front desk operations. At the same time, I was tasked with writing constituent response letters, drafting internal memos, tracking legislation, and attending briefings and hearings. I even observed the office’s response as a potential shutdown loomed, gaining insight into how congressional staff prepare for high-stakes scenarios in real time.
As I settled into the role, what stood out to me most was how these responsibilities, both administrative and legislative, were deeply interconnected. The smaller, routine tasks weren’t just background work. They were essential to the larger function of the office: staying accessible, informed, and responsive to constituents. Before starting, I was most excited for the “bigger” projects. But I quickly learned that answering a phone call or welcoming a visitor was just as meaningful. These tasks are part of the daily infrastructure of representative government, and they matter. That understanding came full circle near the end of my internship, when I had the chance to speak one-on-one with Congressman Levin. We discussed the work I had contributed, the issues I cared about, and what I had learned. That moment reminded me that interns are not on the sidelines—we are part of the team. Looking back, being a CHIP Fellow and interning on the Hill has been one of the most defining experiences of my undergraduate education. It gave me real responsibility, a support network, and a firsthand look at what public service entails. For any student interested in government or public service, my advice is simple: ask for what you need, take initiative, and treat every task like it matters—because it does.
I’m grateful to the CHIP Fellowship team and to Congressman Levin’s staff for making this experience possible. I’ll carry the lessons I learned on the Hill with me well beyond this semester.”
PAAIA congratulates Bahar and Rana on their service and accomplishments last fall. Their work in the U.S. House of Representatives exemplifies the program’s mission to empower Iranian Americans pursuing careers in public service, advocacy, and leadership.
We thank Bahar and Rana for their dedication and look forward to following their continued growth and future contributions as valued members of our Civic Leadership Program Alumni.
