Key Responsibilities

Tasks will include but are not limited to: 

• Researching the traditional practices, material culture, and historical transformations underlying the physical structures of CFH and producing written and multimedia reports  for museum displays and online exhibitions. Some work may be completed off site, and the 2026 internship includes the option of field research in Yunnan.

• Supporting the CFH mission to provide experiential learning opportunities for high  school students. CCI help coordinate and supervise students in the program and  share their research projects in workshops and presentations. 

• Participating in hands-on projects: craft projects, gardening, landscaping, cooking, carpentry, wood joinery, masonry, hempcrete, earth building, trail construction, and kiln construction. No prior experience or skills are necessary. 

Qualifications

• Undergraduate studies or degree in a relevant field (Anthropology, Architecture, Chinese language, East  Asian Studies, History, Museum Studies) or experience doing independent research. 

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, work collaboratively, and be flexible. • Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills.

Location

The internship can be flexible to include a combination of work onsite at the China Folk House in rural Harpers Ferry, WV,  remote work (in consultation with the program supervisor) and the option of travel to China (July 5 – July 27) for our summer program in Yunnan (Jianchuan and Shangrila), with another optional two week extension in the town of Fengyu for a field research community study (July 27 – August 10).  

Term

Nine weeks (depending on candidate availability) June 7 – August 10. Note that for CCI working  at our site in June,  this is a full-time on-site resident program, with the  expectation that interns will participate in formal and informal program activities onsite. From July 5 to July 27 CCI interns will have the option to complete their work with field research in Yunnan China, or some CCI may be able to do the full term in Yunnan (July 5– August 10) with permission of CFH staff.

Compensation

This internship covers all living expenses onsite in West Virginia but does not provide a stipend  or travel expenses for the field research in China. Students are encouraged to seek academic  credit or internship funding through their college/university and CFHR will ensure that all paperwork needed to secure academic or internship credit is completed.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should email a cover letter explaining their interest and experience, and  current c.v. to: fellowship@chinafolkhouse.org subject heading “Cultural Curator Internship”