The University of Houston’s World Cultures and Literatures (WCL) program in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages is helping students turn classroom learning into real-world impact.
Through unique internships at Houston’s leading cultural institutions –– such as Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), Asia Society of Texas and Islamic Arts Society, to name a few –– students gain hands-on experience in fields that connect 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, for example, students work closely with curatorial teams on meaningful projects like researching interfaith artifacts and writing exhibition notes that shape how visitors experience the galleries. For many students, it’s their first taste of seeing academic skills translate into professional influence.
“It’s an incredible eye-opener,” Ambikaipaker noted. “Now someone with linguistic talents can see museums as a viable career path that aligns with their skills.”
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.
“The internship opened my eyes to how many more careers I can have,” shared 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 equally 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 Asia Society’s education unit, where she developed curriculum and explored 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 doesn’t just serve 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 added. “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 would like to hire in the future,” she emphasized. “These students are adaptable, resourceful and prepared for challenges. They bring unique perspectives that can elevate any organization.”
For Anzueto, Siddiqui and many more students who came out of the internship program, this experience is much more than a resume builder, it’s a launchpad into meaningful careers that connect culture, education and community.
Visit the UH Modern and Classical Languages website to learn more about the World Cultures and Literatures program and its internship opportunities. Or contact Mohan Ambikaipaker at mambikai@central.uh.edu.