Dear Distinguished Members of the Notre Dame Anthropology Community,
I would like to take a moment to offer my sincere thanks for allowing me to participate in the Research Training Program at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History this summer. It was an incredible, well-rounded experience which provided insight into the process of doing research, as well as being involved with a world-renowned institution. Also, the chance to work in such a focal city as Washington, DC has left an indelible impression.
At this point in my undergraduate studies, I am seriously assessing my future professional career path. By working alongside Dr. Homiak and his colleagues this summer at the Museum Support Center, I was given the opportunity to observe the daily lives of professionally engaged anthropologists and museum specialists, and to see firsthand what goes into exhibit preparation and collections management. The level of professionalism and dedication of my hosts was admirable. In short, I witnessed some of the most qualified individuals of their respective fields in a premier setting. Obviously this has been a wonderful environment to discern what my own life might be like if I follow a similar path. Although I am still a bit uncertain, I feel as though I am moving in that direction as a result of this internship.
While working in this anthropological setting was very valuable, I was also fortunate to receive a general natural history education while at the Smithsonian. I was exposed to fields such as mineralogy, vertebrate and invertebrate zoology, botany, ichthyology, entomology, and herpetology, most of which I had little or no previous exposure to. The lectures and tours offered by some of the world's most brilliant scientists certainly provided the interns with keen insights into their research. However, worthwhile learning also occurred in dialogues between the interns themselves, everyone contributing with unique perspectives from their own fields.
I cannot imagine a more privileged summer experience. The Smithsonian is distinguished not simply based on commitment to research, but because it is a place where the general public is exposed to and encouraged to develop a love of science and history. I am proud to have been involved with an institution and project whose goals are not academically-exclusive, but rather ones which encourage national learning and enrichment. Thank you again for this tremendous opportunity and the efforts you have put forth to enhance Notre Dame students' undergraduate experiences.
Sincerely,
Andrew Gaudreau
University of Notre Dame - NMNH Internship Program in Anthropology
Class of '04