Meet the new interns from Denmark at the Museum of Danish America in Iowa

By Nicky Christensen, Museum of Danish America

The Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa has recently welcomed two new Danish interns, thanks to the grant support of the Scan | Design Foundation by Inger & Jens Bruun:

CHARLOTTE KEIMIG, 23

I am the newest Collections Intern at the Museum of Danish America. In Denmark, I live in an apartment just outside of Copenhagen, but I actually grew up in small suburb called Frederikssund.

I just finished my Bachelor’s degree in History from Copenhagen University, and have, until my internship, been working and trying to save up some money. Back home, I have a part-time job at an auction house. My job is to help customers get their antiques evaluated–which I am slowly learning to do myself. In this business, you come across some peculiar stuff but also beautiful artwork. I am specifically fascinated by the Danish Modern furniture.

My plan is to start on my Master’s degree, in History as well, in the summer of 2015. In my education I have been focusing on World War II, and more specifically, on the Holocaust. The 20th century is of great interest to me. I also took some minors in American and British History, where I found the Cold War very fascinating.

With the internship at the museum, I am hoping to learn more about the psychology behind the Danish emigration to America and the whole concept of pursuing the American Dream. I will be completing my internship on June 30.

JOHANNES SVEND BRASK KRISTOFFERSEN, 27

I am the newest Exhibits and Development Intern from Copenhagen, Denmark. I am a graduate student in History at the University of Copenhagen.  My Bachelor’s degree is in History from the University of Copenhagen with a minor in Near Eastern Archeology and Southeast Asian studies. My historic interest is quite wide. In my studies I have so far been focusing on the British Empire in the 19^th to early 20^thcenturies, but my interest in general is on this time period. I especially find the different cultural encounters interesting, which is why working on emigration history is appropriate.

Prior to coming to the museum, I was working at the Danish Museum of Technology as part of the national museum educational program. Here I was teaching a wide variety of subjects to classes visiting the museum, from kindergarten to college student.

Besides working at the museum, I have also been working at a local bookstore in Copenhagen. In addition to being a clerk in the store, I have had the extra challenge of starting and participating in the management of social media. On top of that I have hosted events in and out of the store.

Last but not least, I have been working for the Danish Cancer Society in the Prevention and Awareness Department. Here I was assisting the secretariat and the accounting staff in different tasks.

In my internship at the Museum of Danish America, I will be working on the Skål! Scandinavian Spirits exhibition and other smaller exhibitions while also assisting in the planning and execution of different events. My internship will end at the end of July.

This is my first visit to the U.S., and I am looking forward to fully experiencing American culture.

Learn more about the Museum of Danish America at www.danishmuseum.org.

=======================================================================

“LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK – Did you know that you can follow The Danish Pioneer Newspaper on FACEBOOK? Please Click HERE to “LIKE” Us and Join Our Growing Danish Pioneer Family!