David A. Wallace
School of Information
The Iziko Museums of South Africa Internship Program offered seven University of Michigan graduate students, six from the School of Information (UMSI) and one from the School of Education, an immersive professional experience in museum collections management, 
digital preservation, and cultural heritage in Cape Town, South Africa. Developed in collaboration with UMSI’s Engaged Learning Office and faculty members Dr. Anthea Josias and Dr. David A. Wallace, the program placed students in full-time internships across Iziko Museums, a network of eleven museums dedicated to preserving and sharing South African and African heritage. From June 15 through August 15, students applied their graduate-level coursework to professional museum operations while developing technical skills, intercultural competencies, and a deeper understanding of the role of cultural institutions in preserving and communicating history.
In-country experiences combined hands-on professional work with engagement across South Africa’s cultural and heritage institutions. Students worked alongside museum professionals in Natural History, Art and Cultural History, the Library Unit, and the National Gallery, contributing to ongoing projects involving collections management, object documentation, 2D and 3D digitization, archival processing, library operations, and public programming. Through these activities, students experienced the full lifecycle of cultural heritage collections, from preservation and documentation to public access and educational outreach. The program also included six customized field visits to seven prominent heritage institutions, including Robben Island Museum, the District Six Museum, the National Library, the Western Cape Provincial Archives, the Mayibuye Archives, the Afrikaans Language Monument, and Nelson Mandela’s Prison House at the Drakenstein Correctional Centre. These experiences provided opportunities to explore South Africa’s complex history, cultural identity, and approaches to heritage preservation while examining how museums and archives communicate historical narratives to diverse audiences.
Upon completion, students gained practical experience managing, preserving, and curating complex physical and digital collections while strengthening their professional skills, networks, and understanding of cultural heritage institutions. The program encouraged students to reflect on the ethical responsibilities of information professionals, particularly in relation to representation, accessibility, preservation, and public engagement. Students developed greater confidence working in international professional environments and applying interdisciplinary approaches to real-world challenges. The experience also advanced UMSI’s strategic priorities by strengthening connections between students and practitioners, expanding community-engaged learning opportunities, and supporting professional development, innovation, and social impact. Through collaboration with South African museum professionals, students returned with a broader global perspective on information management, cultural preservation, and the role of museums in empowering communities.
