At the American University in Cairo (AUC), students are gaining a significant edge through impactful internships that offer hands-on experience alongside their academic studies. News@AUC spoke to Maha Muehlhaeusler, one of the outstanding undergraduates who are making a mark with high-level internships that align with their academic pursuits, providing them with invaluable career opportunities.
Maha Muehlhaeusler: A Passion for Public History
For Maha Muehlhaeusler, a graduating senior double majoring in History and English and Comparative Literature, internships have become a springboard for career success. Her work at prestigious organizations such as the National Council for Women (NCW) and the Museum of Islamic Arts in Cairo has deepened her knowledge in public history.
“My major supported my internship, but the internship also supported my major,” Muehlhaeusler said, reflecting on her multifaceted role in both organizations. At NCW, she worked directly with Dr. Maya Morsi’s team, creating social media content and raising awareness about laws designed to protect women. “Watching women’s faces light up after seeing their crafts displayed at the Grand Egyptian Museum made me realize what personal success truly means to individuals,” she shared.
Her time at the Museum of Islamic Arts offered a comprehensive understanding of museum operations. “There’s so much more to it than being a tour guide,” Muehlhaeusler noted. She gained exposure to administrative divisions, marketing, exhibition set-up, and workshop organization, including tours and translations of artifact labels. Her work with children, women, and schools in these workshops reinforced her dedication to the educational mission of museums.
These internships were not only professionally enriching but also transformative on a personal level. “The experiences were life-changing,” Muehlhaeusler explained. Through her work at NCW and the Museum of Islamic Arts, she learned how cultural institutions shape human connection. “Museums are not just spaces that hold old objects; they tell stories,” she said. “In my history courses, we learn to analyze historical narratives and construct arguments, which directly supported my work.”
Her AUC education, with its emphasis on critical thinking and cultural understanding, has been key to her success. The combination of history and literature has allowed Muehlhaeusler to connect deeply with the human narratives behind the artifacts and stories she encounters in her internships.
“History and comparative literature both encourage human connection, and that’s what the human experience is all about—connecting, not differentiating,” she said, summarizing her journey as “fulfilling, challenging, and full of love.”
AUC: Preparing the Leaders of Tomorrow
Muehlhaeusler’s story is just one example of how AUC’s commitment to career readiness is shaping the next generation of leaders in various fields. By blending academic rigor with hands-on experiences, AUC is equipping students to thrive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
With such transformative experiences, AUC students like Muehlhaeusler are well-positioned to become influential leaders in the world of history, museums, and beyond.
