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 university interns, Alexandra De Dios, who works with our Education and Outreach department.

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

Quick Facts

Name: Alexandra De Dios
School and grade: University of St. Thomas, Freshman
Date of Internship: 2022-2023 Academic Year
Favorite project you’ve worked on during your internship: One of the most fulfilling projects I had the privilege to work on during my internship was the captivating Yōkai exhibit. Through this project, I had the opportunity to deepen my understanding of Japanese culture and share my newfound knowledge with the vibrant Houston community. It was a truly rewarding experience to engage with others and contribute to spreading awareness and appreciation for Japanese culture and art.
Most interesting thing you’ve learned during your internship: The highlight of my internship was discovering the Asia Society, a hidden gem in my hometown of Houston. Despite having lived in the city my whole life, I was unaware of this incredible organization until I had the opportunity to work with its dedicated employees and fellow interns. As I delved into the community and learned about the organization's mission of promoting Asian culture, I was truly honored to contribute to their efforts. Witnessing the hard work and dedication put into fostering acceptance and knowledge about Asian culture was a profound learning experience that left a lasting impact on me.

Reflection

I wanted to intern with Asia Society Texas because I have always been interested in learning about different cultures and exploring the world. Asia Society's mission to promote understanding and engagement between Asia and the United States aligns with my personal interests and goals. I was excited to have the opportunity to work with a team dedicated to this mission and to contribute to their efforts.

I worked on a number of responsibilities throughout my internship, including establishing a welcoming environment for new visitors, assisting with festivals, and providing tours of the exhibit. One unexpected lesson I learned was the value of paying attention to detail when creating a welcoming environment. I also received valuable event-organizing and communication knowledge.

In the future, I aim to continue learning about diverse cultures to foster understanding among people from various backgrounds. The Asia Society Texas internship helped me prepare for this by allowing me to meet new people, acquire new skills and interests, and widen my viewpoint. I am glad for the opportunity and look forward to applying what I learned in my future activities.

Business and Policy programs are endowed by Huffington Foundation. We give special thanks to Bank of America, Muffet Blake, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, 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; Wells Fargo, Presenting Sponsor of Education and Outreach; Syamal and Susmita Poddar, Presenting Sponsors of Performing Arts and Culture; and 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, 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.