Arts and Culture Internship (Cultural Museum)

Well yeah.. I am an aspiring artist who wants to see as many inspirations as possible. I am still finding my style in doing art, but I sure as hell love writing. So while we are being taught on museum set ups and galleries, we are also given a chance to express our writing prowess by writing for the museum’s website. Also, our millennial skills are put to good use by focusing on their social media outreach. I love every bit of it.

During my short experience in the Art and Culture Program of IGS, I was tasked to conduct interviews in the community and record their responses in an organized scheme. I have the very rare opportunity to interact with a local community to gain insight into their culture. My IGS mentor consistently reminded me to enjoy the process and open myself to different perspectives, because of the culture differences. I took his advice, and I am proud to have successfully completed this internship! Can’t wait to have another one, but on a different region, maybe Southeast Asia, next time.

This internship is so cool! This is not about the boring stuff in museums. We got to see real-life relicts and actual people who have own testimonies on them. This is cooler than National Geographic, TBH.. My co-interns are also too amazing. We spent our free time exploring our host city and nearby destinations. I am in love with Buenos Aires. If I had known it earlier, I would have taken this internship years ago.

My introvert self was glad to contribute to the museum’s vast list of resources by conducting research on life histories and historical events connecting to various pieces of art. We did some online research and library visits. This working behind the scenes is totally fine with me. I am actually grateful that I get to do what I love, without the stress of talking to a lot of different people.

This is my first time to take an internship abroad, and I am grateful for the opportunity! I have always been interested in anthropology and the arts, and this is the best programme I researched about. We are placed in some of the world’s most fascinating museums. Some of us are designated on working on the floor as a curator while some are on the office, conducting research and marketing. In our job, we assisted the docent in the setup of galleries and exhibits. I am happy doing the backdrops and placing the exhibits. Upon opening of the museum, we are asked to share our knowledge with the visitors. My fear for public speaking was not at all obvious, because I am talking about something I really find interest in.

One experience was so powerful and pivotal in my own interpretation of my time in New Zealand. That was the Milford Track, a 5-day track along the Clinton River and over the McKinnon Pass in Fiordland National Park. It is one of the nine “Great Walks” in New Zealand. I also visited the Waitomo Caves, which are about 2 hours south of Auckland. There is beauty and grace even where we can sometimes feel an initial sense of fear and concern, and the Waitomo glow worm caves proved just that. Another trip I took was to Rangitoto Island. A volcanic island about 25 minutes away from Auckland by ferry. It erupted from the sea almost 600 years ago, and it now acts as a hiker’s escape from the industrialism of the city. Another Island I visited was Waiheke Island. It is a beautiful island about 40 minutes by ferry from downtown Auckland. It is an oasis of surf homes and calm beaches, centered around Oneroa Village. Waiheke Island provides a sense of seclusion and serenity that seems to lacking in the industrial and multi-dimensional city of Auckland. It is the area’s breath of fresh air, and is certainly worth the journey.

My time so far working with Dave at Institute for Global Studies has been nothing but exceptional. From our first phone conversation, Dave has been nothing but engaged and committed to myself as an individual, and that holds true for the other seven members of our group. Our group orientation week was fantastic. We are able learn about New Zealand’s history through museum visits, tours guided by locals, and trips to some of New Zealand’s beautiful natural offerings, including the renowned Piha Beach. The housing situation is far better than what I could have possibly imagined. Myself and three others are in a pretty, spacious, and modern apartment overlooking the ocean with Waiheke island in the distance. Not to mention, we are practically in the heart of the city of Auckland; a five minute walk to Queen Street and ten minute walk to the base of the Sky Tower. The internships started after we had a full week of orientation, which also gave us the time to do some exploring on our own and settle in before we got engaged in our work. My experience with my internship so far has been tremendous.