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Meet Briana Vianen: HOF Programming Intern

Meet Briana Vianen, one of Historic Oakland Foundation’s spring programming interns. She’s a senior at Georgia State University, earning her degree in Education. Here, Briana shares her thoughts on interning with HOF.

I’ve always believed that you can learn anywhere, though I did not think about education and cemeteries until someone told me about their amazing experience touring historic Oakland Cemetery.

My interest in education peaked when I took a class on education psychology as an elective. I was amazed by the cognitive development of learners and loved the culturally responsive philosophy of Georgia State University. This philosophy believes that learners of all ages have rich, real-world experiences and connections that can enrich and enhance the learning process. In searching for an internship, I wanted to work with an organization that understood the value and impact of education. As an eater-of-books and novice trivia master, the wealth of history and knowledge at Oakland has brought me so much joy and excitement.

Overall, I could not have asked for a better team to work with than the staff at Oakland. My supervisors, Educational Manager Marcy Breffle, and Special Events Manager Mary Fernandez, as well as the staff from every department, have not only been inviting and welcoming but have also exhibited passion and enthusiasm for their work. Even connecting with the team remotely has provided me with a sense of community and support. Oakland’s internship allows me to nurture my interests in education, and it has provided me with valuable work experiences and ethics that I will utilize for the rest of my life.

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