Kantegger

Painting and design have been a constant presence in my life, having ingrained themselves into my daily routines. Originally on the path to becoming a designer, my course suddenly altered when I participated in a cultural and creative product design competition hosted by Emerald Academy. It was there that I realized that design’s true power stems from culture. A student of traditional Eastern Calligraphy, I have always held a deep passion for cultural heritage, which led me to major in the subject during my undergraduate studies. After three years of dedicated learning, I came to understand the inextricable bond between culture and art. As we face ancient artwork or other cultural artifacts, it’s not enough to simply appreciate their aesthetics; we must also absorb the humanistic values they contain. This sentiment is the driving force behind my life’s mission.

I’m truly thankful for the opportunities presented during my early study of cultural heritage, such as leading a team to conduct research on the conservation and development of the globally recognized heritage site, Mount Everest. Our study, which involved data analysis, site visits, and interviews, examined the site’s value from historical, religious, architectural, and residential preservation perspectives. To bring our research to life, I created a landscape painting of Mount Everest. The visual representation of the site not only amazed us, but also underscored the importance of its preservation. In-depth analysis highlighted the strong connection between human activities and Mount Everest’s cultural landscape. We discovered that the rapid expansion of tourism and high visitor volume posed threats to the temple’s capacity and environmental preservation. Religious activities had been simplified due to safety concerns and logistical complications, and the lifestyle of local residents had been disrupted. To alleviate these issues, I proposed a reclassification of the heritage site into separate zones for historical architecture, natural scenery, commerce, and residences. This solution aims to control human activity without lessening the site’s appeal. As a result, we can better protect ancient structures, improve living conditions, and enhance tourist convenience.

Reflecting upon completed work is a critical part of my process, and my involvement with Mount Everest’s cultural heritage left me with a profound realization: preservation isn’t merely about safeguarding history, but also managing the way people interact with heritage sites. Consequently, conservation and development efforts should encompass not just the heritage itself, but also societal, economic, and human development considerations. Cultural heritage is a vast, multidisciplinary field that continually captivates me.

If my work on Mount Everest sparked my fascination with cultural heritage, my internship at the Crescent Province Museum demonstrated the challenges of advancing its cause in my homeland. Like many other institutions in my country, the museum was plagued by outdated management practices and an inefficient workforce. Sadly, many such institutions are headed by leaders who lack market understanding and professional expertise. Given the vital role museums play in protecting and showcasing cultural heritage, this situation urgently needs remediation. The MA Cultural Heritage Studies program at Orion University, particularly the Managing Museums course, strongly appeals to me in this context. I hope that studying this course will equip me with the skills to comprehensively plan museum operations and improve efficiency. I am confident that my design and visual experience can contribute to more engaging exhibit displays, thus attracting more visitors. My lifelong aim is to help establish a robust museum operation system in my country to support cultural heritage conservation.

As noted by the renowned writer James Harris in his piece, the value of cultural heritage goes beyond simple nostalgia; it embodies the processes that have shaped human societies. The historical, social, technological, economic, and aesthetic worth of these assets attests to our societal evolution. I aspire to work as a cultural heritage planning consultant to promote their preservation and development. I am confident that, along with my existing experience, the analytical skills and broader perspectives gained from Orion University’s Cultural Heritage, Globalisation, and Development course will enable me to succeed. My aesthetic sensibilities honed through painting can serve as a unique advantage. This role, filled with challenges and genuine motivation, is in line with my aspirations. I am particularly drawn to becoming a consultant on the development of cultural heritage and tourism resources.

After conducting self-analysis and exploring various programs, Orion University emerges as my top choice. I believe that the university’s comprehensive theoretical and practical modules on the preservation and development of cultural heritage will significantly contribute to achieving my career goals. I am prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges that studying at Orion University will undoubtedly bring.