My Anthropological Journey
Ever since that summer in 2024 when I was first introduced into the vast world of anthropology through my admission as a volunteer to the Discovery Cube science museum, I have had a blast learning more about the different subfields of anthropology, helping guests to the various museums I have been a part of learn more about the places they live in, and even discovering more of myself through my Korean American interview project. Uncovering real human history and connecting those experiences both to myself and the people that I am surrounded by has opened my eyes to rich lessons that just my small community has to offer. I can’t wait to explore the real world in its fullest with all the knowledge that I have gained already.
Volunteering at Discovery Cube
Summer 2024 - Present
What first interested me about Discovery Cube was knowing that I would have the opportunity to shape young, bright minds eager to learn about scientific concepts such as chemistry, physics, etc., After joining as an active volunteer, I was able to help children out with learning more about specific exhibits, lead kids in activities such as at the Scooby Doo Traveling Exhibition and the annual Ocean Encounter, and simply help make their days a bit more fun through seasonal events such as a meet & greet with Santa and the famed Bubblefest.
Over the years, I have realized that my real exposure to anthropology comes from welcoming in this beautiful community of OC residents eager to explore their own passions and exploring the interests of these diverse multitudes of family and friends that have invested their time and money into the museum.
Winter 2025 - Present
I first learned about the Heritage Museum of Orange County when searching for more opportunities to further my involvement in the betterment of my community. I came across images of tall houses in orange tipped trees in the bright outdoors, complete with a small orchard of oranges, a beautiful white outdoor walkway, and above all, a chance to really dive into and learn more about the community of Santa Ana. After over 7 months of serving in HMOC, I have learned much about the founding of Santa Ana, the people that live here, and how cultures come to meet and both find and make something entirely new.
Some of the highlights of my experience have been shadowing the tours of the Kellogg House during Open House, where I learn from an experienced docent on how to properly educate guests on the contents of the house. The tour includes an introduction and deep dive into the lives of the Kellogg family who inhabited the house, as well as the development of the house and its origin as a wedding present for Hiram Kellogg’s wife, and the house’s many features, including a dining room floor design modeled off of the floorboards of a ship, Hiram Kellogg’s personal downstairs office featuring a door directly connecting the outside with his study, and what was essentially a billiards room with a piano that Kellogg would enjoy with friends.
HMOC really shines in the various community events that take place throughout the year, including the Guest Speaker Series, seasonal events centered around holidays such as Halloween, and especially the expert-led, highly popular paranormal investigations of the Kellogg House held at night. HMOC reaches wider audiences as it remains a popular spot to host weddings and bridal showers, as well as featuring community projects including the HMOC x SAUSD Collaborative School Quilt Project Exhibit.
As a volunteer, I take pride in both helping to run and participating in as many events as I can. It’s inspiring to see the pride and joy in this ever-growing and welcoming community of Santa Ana residents gather during HMOC Open Houses and other community events, and hope that I can help further HMOC’s operations to the benefit of as many people as possible.
Notes:
take a photo of the house itself, maybe ask someone to take a photo of you standing right in front of it
take a photo of the quarterly meeting or whatever
take a photo of one of the community events
Volunteering at HMOC
MUZEO Internship with AIME
Summer 2026
Interning at MUZEO for the summer was my first real exposure to a professional workplace, where at MUZEO I would be able to directly interact with museum employees and directors. I decided to intern for MUZEO after learning more about its status as Anaheim’s premium art museum and the various community events it helped run. After nearly two months of working there, I have learned much more about managing internal workplace systems, software, designing activity plans for future exhibitions, etc.,
Some of the highlights of my experience have been interacting with the staff, who were just so welcoming and open to mentorship throughout the entire program, patiently helping with any issues that I might have been having over the course of the program. I found ways to keep myself busy over the internship, including manning the front desk, organizing the programs room/storage, answering guest questions, setting up and closing down select parts of the museum, setting up, cleaning up, and helping to run exclusive events such as the Summer Concert Series and community Bingo Night, helping to plan daily activities for the annual STEAM Camp for kids and teens, and designing a screen-printing activity for MUZEO’s future Disney exhibition.
Despite having lived in Anaheim all my life, there was nothing quite like experiencing the full brunt of the city’s culture and community while at MUZEO, specifically during its community oriented events such as Bingo Night and the Summer Concert Series, which was free to the general public. I loved the atmosphere of the events and how I could directly interact with guests, helping make their night at MUZEO the best one yet at the heart of Anaheim’s downtown. I look forward to visiting MUZEO whenever I get out of the house, going back to the place I felt the most connected to the city I am so proud of.
Fall - Winter 2026
Bridging The Gap
The Korean-American Interview Project
As a Korean American, I’ve always thought about how the ideals between the two cultures clashed within myself, complicating how I formed my identity and lived about my life. Between the months of the fall of 2025 and the early winter of 2026, I sought answers to the doubts I had by interviewing local Korean American seniors questions about their heritage. I asked about their experiences in Korea and the U.S. and how those experiences compare, taking in their thoughts through recordings for the purpose of my own insight and the benefit of similar individuals. This project is the ultimate culmination of my anthropological journey and represents a major part of who I am and the ways I strive to understand what truly lies within me.
Other Activities/Projects:
Technology Ethics Blog
UCLA Linguistic Anthropology Summer Course