CSULB
student awarded humanities internship
By
Elysse James
On-line Forty-Niner
Chhunny
Chhean, a junior at Cal State University
Long Beach, is one of 18 students selected
nationwide for the National Endowment for
the Humanities internship. Chhean was chosen
from more than 200 applicants. As an intern,
Chhean will spend 10 summer weeks beginning
June 1, in Washington, D.C. where she will
work at the Old Post Office Building on
Pennsylvania Avenue.
"I
intend on working hard and spending every
free day exploring the museums and monuments
in and around D.C.," Chhean said. "I'm
especially looking forward to the Vietnam
Memorial, the Library of Congress and riding
the Metro."
This
internship is not Chhean's only accomplishment;
she is also the president of the English
Students Association, vice-president of
the College of Liberal Arts Council and
secretary for the Student Philosophy Association.
Chhean is a President's Scholar and has
served as a President's Ambassador and Conservation
Commissioner for Associated Students, Inc.
Chhean applied for the internship online,
where she submitted two short essays.
"I
did a bit of Internet research, found the
NEH internship and then applied exclusively
online," Chhean said. "For me,
rejection is OK but regret is not, so I
apply for everything."
Each
intern is assigned to an agency office to
assist with the endowment's work and involve
themselves in daily life at the organization.
Interns are responsible for both working
in the office and completing an individual
project that assists in the research and
development of humanities in the United
States. Some past projects have involved
gathering data, assisting with Web sites,
writing articles and evaluating endowment
materials.
The
endowment describes its internship as a
vehicle to introduce college students to
the "programs, policies and operations
of the federal agency charged with promoting
scholarship, education and public programming
in the humanities in the United States."
The endowment is an independent agency of
the U.S. government that supports the humanities
through grants, funding and support of humanities
programs. Education and research are part
of their focus.
"I
am honored and grateful to have such an
awesome opportunity and I intend on making
the most of it," Chhean said.
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