My name is Ran Feng, and I’m a graduate student in New Media Photojournalism at George Washington University. This summer, I’m interning with Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) as a Marketing and Storytelling Intern through the Humanitarian Internship Pilot Program (HIPP).
Storytelling has always been my passion. During university, I was deeply inspired by filmmaker Jia Zhangke, a leading voice in China’s “sixth generation” cinema. His work captures the human side of societal transformation—how economic change ripples through families and individuals. That lens continues to shape how I see the world. After graduation, I worked as a video editor for a national media organization. In addition to producing daily global news, I contributed to a segment called China Mosaic, which aimed to explore the country’s lesser-known stories. One of the stories I pitched was about an HIV-positive bus driver. He dreamed of being recognized for his work, just like anyone else. Experts explained that with regular medication, HIV can be managed like a chronic illness, but social stigma remains a serious barrier. That experience reminded me how powerful storytelling can be in driving empathy and understanding. I feel fortunate to keep doing what I love—listening to people’s stories and helping bring them to light.
Through HIPP and my internship at EWB-USA, I’ve had the chance to learn more about the nonprofit sector in the U.S. Although I haven’t had the opportunity to travel with our engineers for most of the summer, I am looking forward to an upcoming filming trip to Eagle Harbor, Maryland with our domestic program team. This experience let me know that even just a three-hour drive from the nation’s capital, many underserved communities still face basic challenges—such as access to clean water. This internship has changed the way I think about engineering. EWB-USA is not an organization that shows up saying, “Here’s what we can do for you.” Instead, they ask, “What do you need from us?” Their approach is genuinely community-driven. For my future career path, I hope to spend more time work in the field, speak with local communities, and continue telling stories that matter. Whether through words, images, or videos.