I would like to begin by sincerely thanking the donor whose generous support made my internship possible. My name is Brandon Sun, and I am a third‑year McGill University student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in East Asian Language and Literature. Beyond academics, I am passionate about the arts, particularly film, and enjoy creative pursuits such as drawing and photography.
Although my academic background is in a different field, I have always maintained a strong interest in the arts. This internship allowed me to combine my technical skills with my creative interests in a meaningful way. I chose to intern at Arts East‑West to gain hands‑on experience in web development within a real‑world creative context. As an organization that merges cultural engagement with digital outreach, Arts East‑West provided an ideal environment for me to apply and expand my technical abilities while contributing to an impactful cultural project. My goals for this internship were to explore potential career paths, assess my interests and suitability for various roles, and deepen my understanding of how technology can serve the arts.
Arts East‑West (AEW) is a nonprofit organization based in Montreal that focuses on connecting Eastern and Western cultures through Asian Canadian and pan‑Asian media arts. Its work takes place year‑round through two main initiatives: the Korean Film Festival Canada (KFFC), which showcases films, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and artist talks, and the Asian Art Publication Lab (AAPLab), which produces, translates, and shares creative works from diaspora and pan‑Asian artists.
My prior knowledge in computer science was instrumental in managing the technical aspects of this role. Skills developed through my coursework such as problem‑solving, logical thinking, and familiarity with web technologies enabled me to quickly adapt to using Webflow effectively. Furthermore, my understanding of user experience and interface design principles helped me contribute to a more intuitive and accessible online platform for the festival.
One of the most memorable experiences was the festival’s opening night. After weeks of remote preparation, our team came together in person to welcome guests, set up ticketing, and arrange refreshments. Witnessing our efforts come to fruition was deeply rewarding and reinforced the importance of collaboration in bringing cultural events to life.
One of the challenges I faced early on was learning Webflow, as I had no prior experience with the platform. To meet this challenge, I dedicated time to self‑learning through tutorials, Webflow University courses, and community forums, enabling me to gain proficiency quickly and deliver results for the team.
The Undergraduate Experiential Learning Opportunities Support Fund made this opportunity possible by alleviating financial pressures, allowing me to fully dedicate myself to learning and contributing meaningfully to Arts East‑West. I am deeply grateful for this support, which has inspired me to pursue future endeavors at the intersection of technology, creativity, and community engagement.
Thank you to the donor for making this experience possible and for their generous support!