Intern Spotlight: Maihan Naimi

Hi there, my name is Maihan. I am in my third year at Bard College in New York, where I study Computer Science. I am an intern at the Bond Street Theater in Manhattan. In the meantime, I participated in Bard's globalization and international affairs program. I had been a student for three years at the American University in Afghanistan. After the government collapsed, I transferred to Bard College. At the Science Olympiad, I took home two silver medals in chemistry, and at the Amity International Olympiad, I got a bronze medal in biology. 

If I'm not at my desk, typing away on my aging Dell laptop, you can find me browsing the racks at the local mall or strolling the streets of the trendy district of Midtown. During my internship at Bond Street Theatre this summer of 2022, I learned how theater can shed light on issues of international relations, peacebuilding, and women's empowerment.

 

 

 

Over the course of my internship, Michael and Joanna have among other administrative work showed me how to stand and walk on stilts! At first, I thought that it would be challenging to walk on them; but, after trying it for myself, I discovered that it was not only easy but also incredibly fun. In addition to that, they shared with me their own experiences of juggling multiple responsibilities while standing on stilts, such as giving performances or playing musical instruments, which is truly fascinating. Also, they shared with me stories of Afghan women who walked on stilts, including how much they enjoyed doing it and how quickly they mastered the skill.

My sister and I always watched orphan girls on TV doing juggling and walking on stilts that NGOs like Bond Street Theatre in Afghanistan were working with. When I was younger, I always wanted to experience these two things, which, thanks to my internship, I did!

In addition, I’ve been under Casey's watchful eye throughout my time at Bond Street Theatre. Casey has not only been an excellent manager, but also a remarkable mentor for those under her guidance. She walked us through the process of applying for grants, writing proposals, showed us exactly where to seek funds, and provided us with extremely helpful writing advice for project development going forward. She has taught me a lot, which I am very grateful for. Since she’s in the South Africa office, I wish to meet her one day in person :)

 

Now that I am a member of the BST Youth Advisory Council, I have the opportunity to get to know all of the other young artists and educators who have worked here in the past. It is very thoughtful of the leadership of this company to maintain regular communication with the interns they’ve employed in the past. 

 

 

Summer 2022

A delectable treat from Bond Street. On the last day of our internship, Joanna and Michael  took us out to dinner. I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, the company, and the opportunity to hear Joanna and Michael's beautiful stories of my homeland. 

I'd want to thank BST, the company that gave me my first taste of the American working environment. as well as packing my summer with exciting and memorable experiences.