INTERN REFLECTION: AISSATOU

Hi!! My name is Aissatou Doukoure. I am 17 years old and my pronouns are she/her. I had a splendid time at Center BAE’s 12 week internship! The first time I received the flyer digitally from my teacher at BAE, I was really happy. It was very difficult for me to find an internship that speaks to me and could help me achieve my goals. BAE has always been the one to help me get closer to my dreams since I began taking classes with them 4 years ago.

In this internship, I’ve learned so much about myself that I hadn’t learned from the first 16 years of my life. I’ve learned that getting out of your comfort zone can change your persona for the better. Through the exercises we did to build up our mood and “live in the orange,” I’ve grown to appreciate my surroundings and the person I am. The people in this internship were amazing! Everyone was open to be themselves, speak who they are, and shine their personality. Acceptability, confidence, and having joy for others was a big part of this internship.

We learned about the behind the scenes jobs of the theater industry, their daily lives, and how each different aspect of their theater responsibilities combine into one. Those people behind the curtains truly work the hardest to bring the creativity and entertainment we see to light! I am grateful to Ben and every other BAE community that have helped me become the person I am today. After this astounding Internship, I feel proud, grown, accepted, and ready for the life ahead!

I am going to my dream school, Cornell University for the next 4 years of my life, studying fashion design and management. The reason I decided to study fashion is because I want to help my home (earth) by applying fashion sustainability in the fashion industry with the goal to reduce fast fashion and unnecessary textile waste. I will still be doing acting by joining Cornell University theater and will continue to take acting classes. I will also be officially applying to the agency my acting teacher recommended to me and hopefully begin my acting career. In college I plan to open my own fashion brand and work with my customers to help them find their style and dress with confidence.