Hi, I’m Niko Wiguna, and I am an intern for the 2023 ISHTaR program! I am currently a junior at Green Level High School in Cary, where I lead the school’s dance club and Kids Are Scientists Too (KAST) chapter. Outside of school, some of my hobbies include hip-hop dance, videography, and making chocolate bark for my small business (follow @chicos.chocos)! I value creativity, innovation, and critical thinking, as I strive to serve and uplift my community with enthusiasm and humor.

When I completed the AP Psychology course last year, I found myself endlessly fascinated with the capabilities and functional versatility of the human mind, especially in the developmental stage: from that point on, I knew that I wanted to become a pediatric psychiatrist. To solidify my decision, I found the ISHTaR internship, where I found interest in the opportunity to explore different career paths, have conversations with professionals (I ended up talking with a child and adolescent psychiatrist here at UNC!), and engage in interactive clinical simulations and events.

To my surprise, the internship had a lot more in store for us interns: book clubs, individual research projects, and the chance to create a documentary to capture the whole ISHTaR experience! After a summer with our program director Julianne and the two other interns (along with a blend of in-person and online workdays), I can confidently say that I not only gained a set of lifelong skills to use in my academic and professional career, but I also gained lifelong friends and genuine relationships with the people and professionals I have met. Long story short, ISHTaR, to me, is nothing but worth it.