After a couple weeks, the internship has definitely matched my expectations going into it.
I have talked to three people so far in my COVID study, one school principal, a local restaurant owner, and a local salon owner. All have had very different stories to tell and it has been fascinating to listen to them and hear what the business or school has done during this time. Listening to the principal was especially interesting because he focused a lot on community support and the ways that he saw the community come together to help the students. I could tell that he was really passionate about the school and his students, it was amazing to listen to and talk with him. The restaurant owner was also very passionate and even got a little emotional telling me everything that the restaurant has gone through and the fear he had that he was going to lose the business. Listening to these people has kept me motivated to find other people to talk with and share their stories.
The military research has also been going well, I have found that there were a number of people from Salem that were first to land in Normandy on D-Day. The museum gave me a book called “Salem: A Virginia Chronical” by Norwood C. Middleton that talks about the history of Salem and every notable person, event and place. It is a really interesting read.
Overall, the internship so far has been interesting and enriching. I have thoroughly enjoyed everything that I have had to do.