Intern Spotlight: Kayla Schweitzer

OIR Kayla Schweitzer (third in from the right) with museum officials from Oman on the last day of the two-week Museum Development training workshop in May, 2015.

Kayla Schweitzer, a graduate student from Rutgers University, recently finished a three-month internship with the Smithsonian Office of International Relations (OIR). She writes about her experience here.

My name is Kayla Schweitzer and I am a graduate student in the Cultural Heritage and Preservation Studies (CHAPS) program at Rutgers University. From February through May of 2015, I had the privilege of interning within the Smithsonian Office of International Relations (OIR). OIR is the central point of coordination for international programs and initiatives carried out by the Smithsonian Institution.

During my internship with OIR, I assisted the office with welcoming international visitor groups, including the Department of State- International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) groups, as well as individual international exchange visitors coming to the Smithsonian to complete research, fellowships, or internships. I was active in helping to document and catalogue the Smithsonian’s relationship with countries around the world, and had the opportunity to write about international programs, initiatives, exhibitions, and collections. One of the highlights of my internship at OIR was that I had the pleasure of assisting with a two-week museum development-training workshop for museum officials from Oman.

The internship at OIR has been a great opportunity and experience for me as I was able not only to learn more about the work the Smithsonian does globally but also about the coordination of international activities that occur at the Smithsonian. I would highly recommend an internship with OIR as it gives the individual the opportunity to dive into the work the Smithsonian does globally and the ability to network and learn from incredibly knowledgeable individuals.