Overview

Provide a brief understanding of Summer Rise, OHSL, and MERLOT. Reasons that convinced me to join and accept the internship provided by Summer Rise in joint with OHSH-MERLOT. My expectations going into a virtual internship.

Summer Rise: Reimagining Innovative Student Experience

An opportunity provided to juniors and seniors by the MCPS Department of Partnerships in collaboration with various businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. It allows students to explore career-based learning hands-on and in the community.

MERLOT: Multimedia Educational Resource for Learning and Online Teaching

An open library created by contributions of members to provide easy, open access to all individuals. It allows individuals around the world to connect and provide valuable materials that would otherwise be lost or hidden in the vast amounts of information available.

OHSL: Open Health Systems Laboratory

An open-source of knowledge with regards to health that uses information systems as a tool and serves as a laboratory for people to develop innovations and ideas. Connects projects and information around the world to better and progress on discoveries and ideas.

Why would I join, you may ask? As mentioned, Summer Rise provides career-based, hands-on learning, serving as an introduction and a chance to learn in the field. It also allows one to gain experience and an idea of what to expect in a career of interest. This was a vital factor for me as I did not know what to expect or what direction of biological science I wanted to enter. For me, it was a way to experience what research means than just finding information and how individuals in the scientific community contribute to benefit the world. 

To be real, I did not know what I would be doing except something regarding research. I had never heard of OHSL or MERLOT before, but I was placed as one of the 10 interns in the organization in collaboration with Summer Rise. The virtual factor of the internship also puzzled me as I did not understand how I would contribute and work with research from the science community virtually. 

As the days drew closer to the date, I became more and more nervous. I was intimidated a bit as I would be meeting researchers and people in the science community who have actually contributed to science and created change. Looking back as I write this, I guess I was amazed as I always wanted to go into the science field and create a change. Nonetheless, I was excited overall. Excited to meet the generous hosts who provided the amazing opportunity and my fellow internees.