Learn from students who were transformed by their experience at NYU Washington, DC, as they share the inspiration they drew from their proximity to history in the nation’s capital as well as the opportunities they seized to get involved in real-time politics.
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Internships
Exploring Local Culture to Inform a Career
Julia Antwi-Boasiako
For College of Arts and Science student Julia Antwi-Boasiako, the opportunity to study at NYU Accra was a chance to revisit Ghana, the country where she was raised, and explore new possibilities for her future. The senior, who is majoring in Global Public Health and Sociology and minoring in Chemistry, immersed herself in local culture and professional experiences through impactful courses and an intensive internship.
To learn more about the history of Ghana from the 15th century through the rise of slavery in the Americas, Julia signed up for the class The Black Atlantic. Students explored a range of genres, including film, fiction, and formal scholarship, to examine how African communities were shaped during this time. She also took City As Text, which focused on Ghana’s modern society. In this course, Julia had the chance to tour two different areas within Accra, an affluent neighborhood and an impoverished one. She drew on the city as a primary resource for academic research and critical inquiry, completing formal interviews with locals to help her construct her final project.
“I have always dreamed of installing health resources back in Ghana. City As Text gave me an understanding of the needs of the population and resources that can help improve their circumstances,” Julia says. “I hope to further my education in the health and medical field in order to accomplish this objective, and these courses have given me a boost in my motivation.”
Black Star Gate in Accra, a photo from Julia’s time there
It took Julia some time to adjust to the culture of the city—though she spent a large portion of her childhood in Ghana, she’s lived in the United States since she was 12. At first, there were times when it was difficult for her to understand the locals’ perspectives. “Despite all this, the culture in Accra was amazing,” Julia remembers. “The locals are very amiable, funny, and always eager to strike a conversation and get to know you. I made many friends with local shop employees and even security personnel.”
In addition to classes and exploring, Julia also interned for the African Social Research Lab, working with the Eban Centre for Human Trafficking Studies. The internship was more research-intensive than she initially expected, but that wasn’t a problem. In fact, it made her realize how much she enjoys doing research, helping her understand her ideal future work environment.
“I wanted to be involved with a human services organization, and the internship made me aware of wanting to be in a field that was more hands-on and interactive,” Julia says. “Being able to listen to the stories of others and try to understand their backgrounds and perspectives was something I really enjoyed doing.”
Repurposed with permission from the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development’s blog
Akkasah: Illuminating History Through Photography
This summer, Akkasah, the photography archive at NYU Abu Dhabi’s al Mawrid Arab Center for the Study of Art, released 1,500 digitized photographs from across the Middle East, with some photographs dating back to the 19th century. Located within the NYU Abu Dhabi Library, this remarkable collection houses a treasure trove of images that chronicle the history, culture, and transformation of the Middle East and beyond.
An example from the archive: Taken in 1949 by Ibrahim Omara, this image of Egyptian actresses Aziza Helmy and Laily Fawzy in the back of a car is available in the Samir Farid Collection.
Reference ID: ref34_000002
Origins of the Archive
This fascinating collection of the photographic heritage of the Middle East was established in 2014 by Professor Shamoon Zamir, who still serves as its director. “When I joined NYU Abu Dhabi, I very much wanted to make some kind of contribution to work in the region,” says Professor Zamir. After noticing a lack of Middle Eastern photography archives, he designed Akkasah to be completely accessible, both online and in person.
Akkasah acquires photos from donations, family albums, studios, and even flea markets. They also work with people who allow Akkasah to digitally archive their collections while they retain the physical copies of their photographs.
Once collected, each photo is individually cataloged with any available metadata, such as the subject matter and location. Although most archives catalog their collections folder by folder, Akkasah catalogs each photograph. It’s a time-consuming process, but the extensive metadata and easy searchability put Akkasah in a class of its own.
Scholarly Impact
With its diverse collection of roughly 40,000 images spanning the late 1800s to the present, Akkasah provides a unique window into the past. Anthropologists, historians, and social scientists from around the world have access to this invaluable resource, offering insights into education, religion, fashion, and more.
“There are both amazing surprises and expected things in there,” says Professor Zamir. Some subjects provoke questions, for instance, two women kissing in a Cairo photobooth in the 1940s.
Beyond its role as a scholarly resource, Akkasah opens its doors to students and the wider community by hosting exhibitions, seminars, and lectures. They have taught workshops on skills such as archiving and constructing photo books. And anyone can browse the archive in person or online.
“Anyone, academic or nonacademic, can make an appointment and see whatever they want to see,” says Professor Zamir. “In fact, we very much welcome it.”
Professional Development Opportunities
For students who want to learn even more about archiving, Akkasah offers paid internships. Undergraduates can gain valuable experience in photography, digitization, and curation.
An example from the archive: This studio portrait of a seated woman comes from the Kadikoy Foto Aile in Turkey and is available in the Ozge Calafato Collection.
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Emily Broad, a Raleigh, North Carolina, native who graduated from NYU Abu Dhabi in 2022 with a degree in Art and Art History, is one former intern. “Akkasah is one of the reasons why I applied to NYU Abu Dhabi,” says Emily. “I was able to develop my interest in photography not only as a practice but also as an academic discipline.”
As part of a summer research project, she cataloged a collection from the granddaughter of Butti Bin Bishr who worked closely with Sheikh Zayed, the United Arab Emirates’ founder. “I spent the whole summer talking with her and going through each image, dating them and writing descriptions. That was a unique experience because I got to work with someone who was high-level in the UAE as well as form a relationship with her through the archival work.”
Building on the skills she learned, Emily went on to do an internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is now pursuing her PhD in Visual and Cultural Studies at the University of Rochester.
A Cultural Reservoir
Perhaps one of the archive’s most important roles is the preservation of cultural heritage. It documents traditions, customs, and art forms, helping safeguard the rich cultural tapestry of the Middle East. Anyone can stop in to reconstruct narratives, explore societal changes, and gain insights into the past.
Emily encourages students to take advantage of the unique resource. “Akkasah gives you a different look at the region than what people are used to, especially if you’re an American student,” she says. “I feel like we have preconceived notions about the Arab world that working with Akkasah really changed for me.”
Written by Kelsey Rexroat
NYU Madrid: A Day in the Life
Gabby, a Global Liberal Studies major concentrating in art, text, and media, learns about Spanish culture. Her day starts at her favorite coffee shop, then the Prado Museum, Retiro Park, and her internship at el Chico, an art gallery, and it ends at the NYU Madrid academic center where she attends her evening class on Spanish cinema.
Prague Internships
NYU Prague students share their favorite moments from internships during their time studying away.
NYU Prague students teach Czech elementary school students English through the Prague Elementary program.
Prague Elementary
This program brings native English users into Prague elementary schools to help children learn English.
“My best memory was helping the students gain the confidence to perform a play in English! Many of the students felt out of place because they were experiencing something new, but it was heartwarming watching them come out of their shells.”
—Emily Tsao, Music Education, Class of 2025
“When one of the kids gave me a drawing of their family. It was so sweet and reminded me of my own.”
—Lina Wang, Business, Class of 2024
Organization for Aid to Refugees (OPU)
Since 1991, this nonprofit and nongovernmental organization has supported refugees in the Czech Republic. OPU offers free legal and social counseling, training programs for professionals, and other activities to welcome and integrate refugees. Fighting against xenophobia and racial and ethnic intolerance is one of their main goals.
“Organizing a Holi event for the kids and watching them decorate bags, color, and get their faces painted!”
—Ela Kulkarni, Global Liberal Studies, Class of 2025
CEE Bankwatch Network
CEE Bankwatch Network is a global network of 15 member groups and 13 countries working to prevent environmentally and socially harmful international development as well as promote alternative solutions and community input.
“Writing a case study on a hydropower plant in Serbia!”
—Molly Bombard, Public Policy, Class of 2024
Memory of Nations’ High School
Opened in 2021, the Memory of Nations’ High School focuses on modern history, social and media education, practical journalism, world languages, and other humanities subjects. In addition to partnering with NYU Prague, the high school works with Sokolov Grammar School and the Higher Vocational School of Journalism.
“It’s hard to come up with a specific moment, but I’m fortunate enough to have developed a kind of relationship where we’re open and sharing about our personal lives. The students feel like my mini-therapists sometimes.”
—Emily Yang, Sociology, Class of 2024
NYU Buenos Aires: A Day in the Life
Jida, a College of Arts and Science sophomore, shares what a typical day is like for her at NYU Buenos Aires, offering insights on her experiences volunteering, living with her host mother, and soaking up the opportunity to live and study at the NYU global network’s southernmost site.
NYU Los Angeles: One Day, Two Lives
Angel, a junior majoring in Politics with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology, and Mariajose, an NYU alum, share their experiences at NYU Los Angeles. Their stories especially focus on the required internship component that is designed to enhance classroom learning and prepare students for careers in entertainment and media.
No Business Like Show Business: Internships at NYU Los Angeles
Sean discusses a project with his supervisor at Atlantic Records
While attending NYU Los Angeles, students from across the University enroll in the Experiential Learning Seminar. Taught by entertainment and media industry professionals, the seminar focuses on key areas like production, business, and criticism. A requirement of the NYU Los Angeles program, the seminar pairs classroom learning with real-world experience to integrate professional development and relevant research and debate and expand students’ understanding of how these industries work.
Discovering New Aspirations
Sean Kelly, a Music Business major and recording artist, has always been interested in the arts. In his first year at NYU, he fell in love with the business side of the industry while learning about record contracts and royalties. He knew NYU Los Angeles was the right place to augment his academic work with professional experience. As soon as Sean was admitted to the program, he applied for internships at his dream companies, one of which was the Warner Music Group. Atlantic Records, a label under Warner Music Group, hired him, and he was thrilled to be a sales and streaming intern.
Sean Kelly
Sean worked with various departments to ensure projects were ready for release and tracked streaming performance across channels. “Sitting in meetings gave me the scoop on how different departments function,” he says. “Communication and flexibility are huge skills to have in the music industry, and they’re ones I developed on the job.”
The internship reinforced Sean’s love for the music industry, but it also taught him about new positions and departments he didn’t know existed. “I definitely have new aspirations because of my deeper understanding of how labels operate,” he says. “I left LA with new career prospects and goals as well as completely new passions and interests.”
Building a Network
Margo Resnik
Margo Resnik, Tisch School of the Arts Class of 2022, majored in Cinema Studies and knew she wanted to work in the film industry. But she also craved a role that would include analysis and history. After transferring from a community college in Santa Monica, CA, to NYU, she spent a year in New York City and then realized NYU Los Angeles would be a better fit for her goals: to be close to the film industry and graduate early.
Finding an internship in the competitive Los Angeles market wasn’t easy, but Margo credits NYU Los Angeles with making the process as smooth as possible. “They have a running list of new and upcoming postings that is updated daily, and they use every connection they have to help introduce you to different companies and people,” she says. Margo’s hard work and patience paid off when Artist Publishing Group hired her as a marketing intern last fall. During the internship, Margo learned many practical skills, but the relationships she formed were more important to her. “My boss was so incredibly helpful,” she says. “I’m still in contact with him, and he regularly reaches out to see how I am doing and provide me with leads for potential jobs. The entire experience has shown me there are people in this industry who truly want to help you.”
Written by Kristin Maffei
The Career Benefits of Studying Away
As graduation approaches, NYU students who are preparing to enter the workforce meet with recruiters to discuss their academic achievements, internship experiences, and extracurricular activities. Another thing recruiters are sure to ask them about: their study away experience.
According to Jonathan Martinez, assistant director of global academic planning at the Wasserman Center for Career Development, students develop an invaluable skill set when they study abroad.
An NYU Washington, DC, student talks to a coworker at their internship at the Mexican embassy.
They learn how to connect with different people, adapt to new environments, and solve difficult problems. They acquire non-English language skills, develop a more nuanced understanding of the world, and transform into culturally sensitive adults. With these abilities, NYU students tend to emerge as top candidates in the workforce.
“Many students have told us their study away skills and experiences have been critical in professional settings,” says Martinez. “Our study away administrators and Wasserman coaches also coach students on how to translate their study abroad experiences into vivid examples that showcase their adaptability, openness to new experiences, ability to work independently, and facility for cross-cultural dialogue.”
The Role of Wasserman in the Global Career Experience
Every semester, Wasserman hosts a career week to provide students with global professional development opportunities, whether they’re interested in internships or postgraduation careers.
This past spring, the Global Career Week was virtual and featured an array of events including a workshop on personal branding, a discussion on the global job search, and a session on volunteering with the Peace Corps. Students heading abroad for a semester, year, or summer have the unique chance to seek out internships that align with their interests and professional goals while gaining global experience, and, regardless of their destination, students can work with Wasserman to find the right opportunity. If students want to head abroad for work after graduating, the Wasserman team can help them
- secure an international work permit
- obtain or renew their passport
- find a place to live
- connect with a career coach
- find a country-specific job or internship
- network with alumni
Students can consult Wasserman career coaches to learn how to leverage their global study experience.
Study Abroad Resources from the Office of Global Programs
Much like the Wasserman Center for Career Development, NYU’s Office of Global Programs has a range of resources students can use to make the study abroad experience more accessible.
“The Office of Global Programs is committed to breaking down any perceived or actual barriers students may face when submitting interest for study abroad,” says Martinez. “Providing extra funding for students is one thing we do because a financial burden holding students back from studying away is the last thing we want to happen. All students are eligible for the Global Pathways Scholarship, and, in some cases, students can use funding for up-front costs like plane tickets. We also offer many cohort-based programs like the Study Away Internships in which enrolled students are guaranteed an internship!”
Written by Samantha Jamison
NYU Anthropology and Journalism Major Lands Internship at Haaretz
When Anthropology and Journalism major Andrew Califf decided to spend a semester at NYU Tel Aviv, he thought he might get the opportunity to gain direct experience in social media management or land a general journalism internship. What he actually achieved, in just a few months, was the publication of multiple articles in Haaretz—the Israeli equivalent of the New York Times. This incredible experience helped bring him closer to his dream career.
From Internship to Mentorship
Andrew Califf
The third-year College of Arts and Science (CAS) student was no stranger to studying abroad. He had already spent a semester in Shanghai, wanting to take full advantage of the global campus that inspired him to enroll in NYU in the first place. But this time, he was determined to immerse himself in his passion for archaeology through NYU’s program in Tel Aviv. Israel, with its proximity to diverse Middle Eastern cultures and its incredible wealth of ruins, seemed like a perfect fit. And when he realized the opportunities Haaretz presented, it sealed the deal. “I met with an internship coordinator from Haaretz when I was in Nicaragua at an archaeology field school this summer,” Andrew says. “She had seen some of the fieldwork I was doing on my website, and the first thing we talked about was the archaeology department there. I didn’t even know that was a possibility!”
And what a treasure trove of possibilities it was. Though the newspaper’s archaeology section is widely read, publishing high-profile stories that attract the attention of the Smithsonian and National Geographic, the department is very small. Editor Ruth Schuster—whom Andrew would come to work directly with as he learned the ropes and mastered the tools of the trade—writes a large portion of the articles. “At first, I was in over my head,” Andrew admits. “I had to learn very quickly—to be able to take a step back from failure and figure out how to breeze through that part of the editing process the next time.” But before long, Andrew moved from simple listicles to features and news stories. “Ruth is one of the best archaeological journalists there is,” he says. “She saw my talent and desire to succeed, and because of her help and support, I’m gaining exponentially more than I ever thought I could from this experience.”
The city of Tel Aviv behind the Jaffa Clock Tower
Opportunities Abroad
Beyond Haaretz, the region has much to offer Andrew during his time abroad. At NYU Tel Aviv, he has found a great circle of peers driven by excellence and committed to making a difference. “This is a very healthy environment for me,” he says. “I’m writing about people who have been dead for thousands of years, but I’m surrounded by people with such passion for things that are afflicting the world today. People come here to help refugees, teach English, and work in conflict resolution. Working amid that energy is just incredible.” In his free time, Andrew ventures beyond the city, traveling to other parts of Israel as well as Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia.
Photo of Andrew Califf by Rishi Dhir
When he’s not out exploring, Andrew relies on interviews to connect to those out in the field he hopes to join someday. “Archaeologists and anthropologists have time for you, and they love talking about what they’ve found,” Andrew says. At the same time, he uses his journalistic skills to zero in on unique findings, to make his work stand out from other publications covering the same story like CNN and National Geographic. “Being able to tell good stories while conducting good fieldwork is so important,” Andrew emphasizes. “If you go out and discover incredible places and incredible artifacts, you shouldn’t hide that in a boring abstract and a boring background with hundreds of footnotes. The combination of work I’m pursuing—it feels like I’m doing what I’ve always been called to do.”
Thinking about the future, Andrew has his sights set on an internship with National Geographic. He also hopes to do fieldwork in Mongolia, another step on his path toward specializing in journalism and archaeology in remote areas. He’s excited for his upcoming senior year and wants to pursue honors in both anthropology and journalism.
Written by Sarah Bender