Interns play an essential role in the work of the Asia Library, bringing fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to our collections, programs, and services. This year’s four interns are helping us improve access to archival and rare book collections, support exhibitions and public engagement, and encourage language learning and cross-cultural exploration. We are deeply grateful to the sponsors whose generous support makes these internships possible, including the Korea Foundation’s Global Challengers Program and Mayumi and Masao Oka, the co-funders of the Oka Tadoku Room. We also thank our many library partners for providing guidance, training, and support throughout each internship.
Qihao Liang, Curatorial Assistant for Chinese Archival Materials
May 2026–May 2027
Qihao received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Highest Distinction and Highest Honors from the University of Michigan in May 2026. His studies focused on migration, citizenship, and transborder membership between mainland China and Taiwan.
As a curatorial assistant, Qihao works to improve access to the Asia Library’s modern and contemporary Chinese-language collections related to the performing arts, popular culture, and education. His responsibilities include arranging and describing materials, producing finding aids, and maintaining collection records in ArchivesSpace. He also supports Asia Library exhibitions featuring Chinese materials for the library’s monthly Third Thursday series.
Juwon Yeo, Korea Foundation Intern
June 2026–April 2027
Juwon earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Library and Information Science from Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea, completing his master’s degree in February 2026. His international experience includes an exchange semester in communication studies at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, work on a project at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, and a poster presentation at Bibliothekskongress 2025 in Bremen, Germany.
During his internship at the Asia Library, Juwon plans to gain comprehensive experience in Korean studies librarianship. He helps process Korean collection materials, participates in public and research engagement activities, and assists Asia Library staff with a wide range of projects.
Jian Zhang, Chinese Rare Book Assistant
November 2026–August 2027
Jian recently completed his doctorate in history at the University of Michigan, specializing in the intellectual culture of Middle-Period China (800–1400). His doctoral dissertation on geographical writing draws extensively on Chinese historical sources, including bibliographical catalogs, geographical gazetteers, and technical treatises.
As the Chinese Rare Book Assistant at the Asia Library, Jian looks forward to expanding his work with rare books, collaborating with colleagues across the library, and contributing his expertise in textual research, book culture, and the history of knowledge. When he is not reading or writing, Jian enjoys observing nature, doing chores, and spending time with his family.
Annelie Zissis, Oka Tadoku Room Student Intern
September 2026–April 2027
Annelie is pursuing a dual major in Fine Arts and Asian Studies, with a focus on Japanese language and culture. She loves painting and exploring the history of cross-cultural exchange. Her previous work on the Sam Karres exhibit for the Clark Library deepened her passion for archival work and research and inspired her to pursue the Oka Tadoku Room internship.
In this role, Annelie hopes to help students discover their own love of languages, reading, and research. She aims to spark interest in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages and cultures while highlighting the rich and distinctive literature available in the Oka Tadoku Room. Drawing on her artistic training, she also brings a creative touch to the events she plans by designing their promotional materials.