Asia Society Texas works with high school and university interns each semester through our Regions Bank Young Leaders Internship program. Under this program, we have partnered with various high schools and universities in the Greater Houston area to provide opportunities for students to engage with the broad swath of programs offered by Asia Society and learn more about nonprofit operations. Interns have worked in program development, research and curriculum-writing, outreach efforts, accounting and finance, and more. Through their time with Asia Society Texas, interns learn more about Asian art, history, and culture while gaining direct experience in a professional environment.

We'd like to shine a spotlight on one of our summer interns, Nayeli Soto, who works with our summer camps.

Learn a little more about Nayeli and her internship experience below!

Quick Facts

Name: Nayeli Soto
School: Harmony Science Academy
Internship Duration: Summer 2022
Favorite project you’ve worked on during your internship: Environmental Superheroes with ExploreAsia
Most interesting thing you’ve learned during your internship: All about Energy and Sustainability with the Young Leaders Institute.

Reflection

I originally wanted to intern with Asia Society due to my interest in business. Asia Society’s summer internship gave me the opportunity to learn the environment and dynamics of working in an office by giving me the opportunity to assist in guest services. It also helped me discover new interests including arts & crafts and global education due to my experience in both the Young Leaders Institute programs and the ExploreAsia culture camps.

During my internship, I assisted camp counselors by preparing materials, providing lesson plan feedback, and guiding campers. I also assisted in guest services helping on membership services. One unexpected thing that I learned during my internship at Asia Society is the issues and problems happening worldwide in and outside of the United States like the impact of COVID-19 affecting education worldwide.

I’m currently still undecided of what I want to do in the future, but this internship has helped me grow in many ways including skills in communication, connecting with people, and working in a team, while also helping prepare me for a professional workplace. They have given me the opportunity to learn about different programs and do a little bit of everything. I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I’m thankful as I know my experience here will help me in the future regardless.

Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Nancy Pollok Guinee, and United Airlines, Presenting Sponsors of Business and Policy programs; Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, and Leslie and Brad Bucher, Presenting Sponsors of Exhibitions; AARP, Sterling Turner Foundation, and Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsors of Education & Outreach; Syamal and Susmita Poddar, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts & Culture; Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Sponsor of the Japan Series; and Regions Bank, Title Sponsor for the internship program. General support of programs and exhibitions is provided by The Brown Foundation, Inc., Houston Endowment, Inc., the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance, McKinsey & Company, Inc., National Endowment for the Arts, Texas Commission on the Arts, and Vinson & Elkins LLP, as well as Friends of Asia Society.

Title Sponsor for Internship Program

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.