Interning means playing with chopsticks and candy

This is a guest post written by Elizabeth Newkirk, Asian Learning Center of Indiana intern.

On Day 1 of my internship at the International Center, I attended orientation. On Day 2, I  represented the Asian Learning Center of Indiana (ALCI) at Sunnyside Elementary’s International Night.

Sunnyside Elementary School of International Studies is one of the 18 schools in Indiana participating in the ALCI’s School Pilot Program. These schools have a vested interest in educating their students about Asia and generally preparing them to be globally conscious citizens. The goals and methods of implementation of each school vary, but they serve a mutual purpose for the ALCI: to identify good practices in schools, build on successful models for other schools to adopt, and implement the best practices for teaching Asian studies at Indiana schools.

On May 17 (a.k.a. Day 2), Sunnyside Elementary hosted an event called International Night for its students and their families. My co-intern Allison and I arrived at the event laden with ALCI flyers, a camera, and activities for our table. Earlier that day we created flashcards of country names and their respective flags, which Allison used for matching games. I organized an activity in which kids used chopsticks to pick up M&Ms. The kids were naturally attracted to the prospect of free candy, and it was fun to see them practice using chopsticks, which many of them had never tried before. International Night was a great model of how to teach kids about cultures through food, music, and games. I believe hosting similar events is a great idea for all schools, as they provide students with a fun way to learn about cultures and require less planning and funding than implimenting a foreign language or social studies curriculum.

Participating directly in International Night was just one of the many reasons I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship so far. I’m not making coffee or running errands; my work is a direct contribution to the ALCI or the International Center, and my input is valued. The staff has been incredibly welcoming and is genuinely interested in helping the interns develop or enhance professional skills. In my three weeks here I’ve represented the ALCI at events, written articles for the newsletter, organized important data, and have been involved in various ongoing projects. I’m excited to learn more about my future roles and responsibilities in the remaining 13 weeks!