The War Childhood Museum offers impactful internship opportunities, providing valuable experience in the museum sector while contributing to the vital mission of preserving and sharing the experiences of childhoods affected by war.

The internship program at the WCM provides interns with hands-on experience, mentorship, and learning opportunities in a supportive environment.

We welcome students and graduates of all backgrounds from a variety of fields, including museum studies, human rights, peacebuilding, and related disciplines, who are eager to contribute to the Museum’s work and expand their professional expertise.

Internship at the War Childhood Museum

Learning Opportunities

Interns develop valuable skills during their time at the Museum, such as:

  • Documentation and research by working with personal objects of individuals whose childhoods were affected by war and becoming familiar with museum database.
  • Project management by contributing to the planning and execution of exhibitions and events if they take place during the internship.
  • Museum operations by understanding the daily functions of a cultural institution, including collection management and visitor experience.

Duration of the Internship

Internships at WCM typically last between 2 to 6 months, depending on the intern’s availability. The specific duration of the internship will be agreed upon during the application process.

Interns are expected to commit a minimum of 20 hours per week. The specific schedule will be agreed upon with the mentor and is flexible depending on the intern’s availability. Interns must also attend weekly meetings with their mentor and monthly team meetings for broader discussions and updates.

I completed a three-month internship at the War Childhood Museum. Before applying, I had the chance to visit the exhibition in Sarajevo and witness their extraordinary work. That was my drive to apply there, to be part of something that matters.

During my internship, the working environment was welcoming. Each member of the team was there to help me during my stay in Sarajevo. I´ve studied Political Science and International Relations, but my job at the museum was in the archives. I was responsible for documenting newly arrived objects in the database, as well as writing condition reports and taking their pictures. While the work was repetitive at times, it could also be emotionally challenging. Many of the objects were accompanied by stories of people who had experienced war as children.

However, this work brought me a certain fulfillment too. As I was working with something as simple as gum wrapping, I felt like contributing to history. In a way, with the work you are doing at the museum, you are helping to pass this collective history to the next generations, and you are making sure that it is not forgotten. That´s why I'm glad that I had my internship at WCM.

Süleyman, Turkey

I spent three months as an intern in the archive of the War Childhood Museum in Sarajevo. This is something I would really recommend to anyone who is interested in museum work, conflict history and personal stories.

In the archive I mostly made either Object Descriptions or Condition Reports. I started with small 2D objects and worked my way up to larger 3D objects. These objects could be anything and could come from anywhere. The smallest I worked with was a small teabag tag and the largest probably old cardboard boxes, which were used to collect stickers and other small collectables. Most of the objects were related to the Bosnian War, but I also worked with objects from Ukraine, Georgia and Syria.

I also helped with the testing of the new educational game ‘We Grew Up in War’ and help test it in schools. This gave me the opportunity to see the work of another important part of the Museum–the educational work.

During my time at the museum I was welcomed by the whole team and they always made sure to include me into things, asking me how I was and how the work in the archive was going.

Carolin, Germany

Application Process

Young professionals can apply for internship opportunities at WCM on a rolling basis, allowing flexibility in the application process. This means that candidates can submit their applications at any time throughout the year.

To apply for an internship at WCM, candidates must email their CV and the Cover Letter to internship@warchildhood.org.

Once these documents are reviewed, the application will proceed through the following steps:

  1. Review of Application. The Museum team evaluates the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and potential fit for available projects.
  2. Interview and Test. If the application meets the necessary criteria, the candidate will be invited for an interview. Applicants will be required to complete specific tests, such as writing object descriptions or condition reports. 
  3. Final Decision. If the applicant performs well in the interview and tests, the mentor will make the final decision in consultation with Museum management.

A WCM Intern’s Story

Beatrice Sofia Urso visited Sarajevo and the War Childhood Museum for the first time back in 2022.

“I was in Sarajevo for a couple of days and visited the War Childhood Museum. Since my thesis focuses on children’s rights in conflict and post-conflict societies, the exhibition made a strong impression on me. It’s very different from all the other venues I usually see, like art museums or contemporary art museums.”

Discover what Beatrice learned during her time at the museum, and what she brought back home from Sarajevo.

Internship at the War Childhood Museum

Financial and Accomodation Support

Internships at WCM are currently unpaid; however, our Museum is committed to helping young professionals secure external financial support. While we are not actively involved in finding funding, we are open to supporting you through the process and providing the necessary documentation or information to assist with your grant or funding applications.

While accommodation is not directly provided, the Museum offers practical support by assisting interns with finding housing options and offering an Information Pack on Sarajevo (containing public transport details, safety tips, and local attractions). The Museum also helps with visa arrangements, health insurance, and other logistical concerns.

Mentorship Support

Interns at WCM are paired with a dedicated mentor—a team member from the Museum working in the same field as the internship’s focus. The mentor works closely with the intern to define tasks, set clear expectations, and develop a personalized work plan that reflects both the intern’s strengths and areas for growth.

Throughout the internship, mentors provide consistent, constructive feedback on the intern’s performance, helping to refine skills and encourage professional development.