- University of Houston’s WCL program transforms classroom learning into real-world impact through internships at major cultural institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts, Asia Society Texas, and Islamic Arts Society.
- Each semester, 3-5 students gain hands-on experience in curatorial work, education, and cultural programming supported by stipends that make participation financially accessible.
- The program helps students bridge humanities with professional careers, strengthening Houston’s creative and cultural ecosystem while shaping future leaders in arts, education, and global communication.
The WCL program in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages at the University of Houston is turning classroom learning into real-world impact for students. Through unique internships at Houston's leading cultural institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), Asia Society of Texas, and Islamic Arts Society to name a few students get hands-on experience in fields connecting to their studies. Each semester, three to five students are selected for internships supported by stipends that make participation financially possible for students balancing work and academics. These internships can take place for a semester or a full academic year.
“These students are highly motivated and incredibly talented”, said Mohan Ambikaipaker, director of the WCL and CLASS Honors program. “They are getting specialized training that prepares them for careers in the arts, museums and cultural organizations, which are vital to Houston’s tourism and creative economy”.
At MFAH, students work hands-on with curatorial teams on substantive projects-from researching interfaith artifacts to writing exhibition notes that shape visitor experiences in the galleries. For most students, it's the first taste of what it looks like when academic skills translate into professional influence. “It’s a real eye-opener”, Ambikaipaker said. “Now a person with linguistic capabilities can see museums as a serious career path that befits them".
That's exactly what happened to Amna Siddiqui, a spring 2025 graduate. She still talks about her experience as a World Faiths Initiative intern at MFAH. Though her area of study was English Literature, Siddiqui spent her year working in the museum's Learning and Interpretations department, developing ways to make art more accessible and impactful through video projects and tours.
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"The internship opened my eyes to how many more careers I can have", said Siddiqui, "who is applying to doctoral programs in Anglophone South Asian Literature. "Before I assumed academia was the only path. Now I know there are opportunities in museum education and services".
Other students have found similarly transformative experiences. At Asia Society Texas, WCL interns have helped shape lesson plans for K-12 classrooms and contribute ideas that shape the permanent collection. Saege Anzueto, another recent graduate, interned with the education unit of the Asia Society, developing curriculum and exploring branding and marketing.
"The internship has shaped my career path in ways I never imagined", she said. "This program really prepares students for the world out there. The experiences I've gained have had a huge impact on my professional life".
These days, Anzueto carries those lessons into her role as a strategic communications associate with the World Affairs Council of Houston. The skills she honed are now central to her work. The program is not just a service to students; it strengthens the organizations they join. By bringing in interns with diverse backgrounds whether in languages, history or literature WCL helps Houston's cultural institutions connect with audiences in fresh ways.
“At a time when the humanities and arts are under pressure, this program creates a small but important student-arts symbiosis”, Ambikaipaker said. “I hope we can continue to expand and give even more students a chance to make an impact”.
Anzueto agrees. “Think about the kind of people you'd want to hire in the future”, she said. “These students are flexible, resourceful and ready for challenges. They have different perspectives that can enrich any organization”. For Anzueto, Siddiqui and many other students who came out of the internship program, this is so much more than a resume builder; it's a launchpad into meaningful careers that connect culture, education, and community.
