Sofía Muñoz

How did your past studies lead you to this course?

My Bachelors degree is in Anthropology, and I also minored in Museum Studies and Theatre. During my studies I learned about culture, history, and storytelling. I began to recognise the importance of preserving and connecting with the past. After working in various countries for a few years, I realised that every culture approaches their past and tells stories differently. I decided I wanted to help people preserve their history and tell their stories across cultures. With this in mind, I realised I needed to better understand how heritage is managed internationally, and I was led to this program.

How is your course helping you make a positive change in heritage?

One of the best parts of this course is how much it challenges me to question everything. We’re encouraged to approach heritage with a critical mindset, our professors make sure we’ve thought through our beliefs, encouraging us to consider different perspectives. Thinking critically is one of the most important skills for professionals working in such a dynamic and personal field, and I think this is the main thing I have learned, which will help me create a positive change in heritage. If heritage professionals don't think critically when working with different cultures, it's easy to ignore value systems or even offend others. By approaching heritage with a critical mindset, I think I can use it to create mutual understanding internationally.

What have you enjoyed most about the course so far?

Unexpectedly, I’ve loved my Business of Heritage class. It’s shown me all the realistic factors we must consider in heritage and given me many skills I need for a successful career. The class has shown me that one of my talents is balancing ideals, and how things should work, with realism, and how they actually work. This has opened my mind to all the different jobs in heritage I could eventually do and showed me that I can one day make a positive impact.

What's your favourite heritage site from the sites you've studied or visited on the course?

Currently I’m writing a paper about lake Tonlé Sap in Cambodia, and I think it's one of the most unique places I have studied. The lake itself is an excellent example of when natural heritage and intangible heritage combine. Writing this paper is forcing me to consider many unexpected factors about preservation. Balancing ecological conservation and impact on local practice is tricky, and using this lake as a case study has taught me so much about creating ethical and effective conservation policy.

How has your course challenged your understanding of heritage?

Because I am originally from the US, and heritage is not widely studied there, I walked in unsure about how to define heritage. Initially I thought it was ‘old things’, but this course has opened my eyes to the many interesting facets of heritage and how broadly the term can be applied. Learning about natural heritage, or intangible heritage, has shown me all the different values professionals must consider when embarking on conservation efforts.

What about this course prepares you the most for a career in heritage?

Two main things from this course are preparing me for a career in heritage. First, the skills I am developing. Not only am I learning more about heritage theory and approaches to conservation, but I’m learning how to manage employees, market heritage sites, and secure funding. The second thing is the network I’m creating. Through guest lectures, symposiums, and internships I’ve been able to connect with many important names in heritage. From the UK ambassador to UNESCO to the CEO of the RAF Museum, I’ve connected with and learned from an amazing network of heritage professionals.