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Global Outlook: My French Internship Journey

This is the second of three posts written by Maria Murad, a senior majoring in Corporate Communication and Public Affairs, Creative Computing, and French, about her study abroad experience.

Picture yourself entering a world where artifacts tell stories, history comes to life, and you get to be the bridge connecting different cultures through art. I applied to work at a local museum called “Espace Culturel Departemental 21, bis Mirabeau,” for a change. I had not originally wanted to gain experience in museum work, but once I learned about the history of Aix-en-Provence, I became intrigued by its artistic past. After an interview, I was offered a role to be their Cross-Cultural Liaison Intern for the summer.

Originally a private mansion, the building was renovated and transformed by the Département des Bouches-du-Rhône into a cultural venue to highlight the artistic and historical heritage of the area. The museum is a treasure chest of historical items and tales that bring the past to life, providing tourists with an exclusive look into the history of the region.

My role as a Cross-Cultural Liaison was both rewarding and challenging. Along with making display materials for visitors from all over the world, my duties included giving guided tours in both English and French, providing cultural insights, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. One of the most memorable experiences I experienced was when I gave my first tour to a group of American students visiting Aix; their curiosity and excitement were contagious. It made me so happy to watch their interest grow as I shared stories on the history of the museum, and its diverse set of artists alongside their modern pieces.

My experience has increased my awareness of the subtle cultural differences that make Aix special and has also improved my public speaking skills. Working in a completely integrated French environment was a thrill. It helped me see beyond the region’s rich history and culture. Aix-en-Provence is not merely a historic city; it’s a wonderland full of vibrant art that reminds us of the enduring beauty of cultural heritage!

I learned a great deal and developed a lot of skills from my internship. My confidence grew as I became more comfortable speaking in front of audiences and navigating cross-cultural interactions. I also gained a deeper understanding of the field, learning about cultural preservation, museum operations, and the importance of spreading history to a global audience.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned was in my personal growth. It might seem cliche to admit, but I genuinely feel as though I gained a new sense of awareness. Whether it was navigating the streets of Aix-en-Provence or adapting to the nuances of French workplace culture, every challenge pushed me out of my comfort zone. This experience taught me how to be resilient and embrace new opportunities with an open mind. Living and working in a foreign country was not just about gaining professional skills; it was also about learning more about who I was and how the world worked. The environment in France was truly a breath of fresh air, offering a unique mix of history and natural beauty that refreshed the way I left.

My internship was made possible in large part by the Gilman Scholarship. It gave me the financial resources to participate in SMU’s study abroad program in France, the only program I was interested in that offered an internship. I could not have taken advantage of this incredible opportunity without this support.

The scholarship not only covered my program costs but also allowed me to focus on my internship without financial constraints. When I think back on my experience, I also see that the Gilman Scholarship provided a door to a world of opportunities rather than merely providing financial support. It made it possible for me to develop both personally and professionally, experience a different culture, and gain valuable work experience. Internships are an incredible way to gain hands-on experience, and doing it abroad especially made it memorable. It deepened my understanding of a field that I had no exposure to but ended up learning so much from. Needless to say, the Gilman Scholarship made this goal of mine a reality!

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SMU Junior Wins Prestigious Goldwater Scholarship

Shriya stands in front of a biochemistry laboratory table, with two sets of chemistry beakers in front of her. She has one beaker in one hand and is testing the contents.
SMU junior biochemistry major Shriya Siddhartha’s white lab coat glows with spots of hot pink and orange fluorescent dye, evidence of her research on a new fluorescent tool biologists can use to study lung cancer cells.

Article reprinted from SMU news. Original can be found here.

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU junior biochemistry major Shriya Siddhartha’s white lab coat glows with spots of hot pink and orange fluorescent dye, evidence of her research on a new fluorescent tool biologists can use to study lung cancer cells.  Siddhartha has worked in chemistry professor Alex Lippert’s lab since the beginning of her first year at SMU, volunteers in other professors’ labs to learn new techniques and has collaborated with researchers in New York.

She is one of six students selected nationwide to receive the 2024 Goldwater U Award, one of the most prestigious national science awards presented to undergraduate students pursuing a medical research career. Winners are selected for the caliber of their research and aspirations for a future research career.

The scholarship, which honors former Sen. Barry Goldwater, encourages outstanding students to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics and provides up to $7,500 toward tuition, fees, books and room and board.

Siddhartha has known she wanted to be a scientist since she was in fourth grade and later chose to attend SMU because of its undergraduate research opportunities. Her inspiration comes from her paternal grandparents, who were scientists, and particularly her paternal grandmother, who was accepted to a prestigious medical school in India but forbidden to attend by her parents, who considered a female doctor less marriageable.

“I’d like to carry on my grandmother’s plan,” Siddhartha said.

She is well on her way.

After exploring the work of various SMU researchers on the University web site, Shriya contacted Professor Lippert the summer before she came to SMU, expressing particular interest in his work with chemiluminescence molecules.

“It is very rare for a student to start in the laboratory so early and excel right at the start, which speaks to Shriya’s remarkable aptitude to perform high quality research,” Lippert said.

In addition to her work with Professor Lippert, she co-authored a manuscript with a separate collaboration with researchers at Georgetown University, conducted a research internship at UT Southwestern and is learning molecular biology techniques for cloning, protein expression and purification, said Brian Zoltowski, professor of chemistry and Shriya’s organic chemistry professor.

Shriya Siddhartha is a South Indian woman with dark brown hair cut to her shoulders. She wears a navy blue blazer and a yellow blouse. She stands on the Dallas Hall Lawn with Dallas Hall as the backdrop.
Shriya Siddhartha is one of six students selected nationwide to receive the 2024 Goldwater U Award, one of the most prestigious national science awards presented to undergraduate students pursuing a medical research career. Photo by Hillsman S. Jackson, SMU

Siddhartha is carefully planning her steps to reach her long-term goal, to become an ophthalmology surgeon, optic nerve researcher and medical school professor, at least ten years of additional education after graduating from SMU. In the meantime, she is an active undergraduate  member of several campus honors groups – a Dedman Scholar, a Hamilton Research Scholar, a Tower Scholar and a Richter Scholar. She’s also vice president of the SMU Asian Council and a volunteer with Mustang Heroes, a campus community service organization. She is determined to promote the importance of health equity throughout her career.

This busy student relaxes with music. She performs classical South Indian music with her sister and mentors younger musicians. Siddhartha also plays the guitar with a rock band made up of high school friends. The band, “Vacuum,” is releasing a new song later this summer.