Mediator Neiku Shahab's Guest Experience Highlight
Neiku Shahab has always been a planner, even when it comes to conversations. She likes to be well-prepared in every situation and describes herself as reserved. When she applied to be a mediator at Science Gallery Atlanta, a job that places you in contact with people from all walks of life who bring their own thoughts and questions to the table, it was definitely a leap of faith.
At first, Neiku worried that as a rising high school senior at Atlanta International School she wouldn’t have enough scientific knowledge or experience to talk with guests about the pieces in the HOOKED exhibition. But, she quickly realized that working at SGA is all about connecting with people where they’re at.
One day while Neiku was mediating in Euphoria (the first subsection of HOOKED that focuses on how addiction stems from pleasure-seeking behavior) she met a guest with a familiar accent. Turns out, Neiku and the guest were both Persian! Neiku says excitedly, “We started talking about how Persian and Iranian history tie into modern-day society, and it transcended into a more political conversation. We talked about personal choice and how the power of choice correlates to the acknowledgment that pleasure-seeking is a part of life.”
Neiku was thrilled to learn more about her own culture’s perception of pleasure-seeking, especially since she was standing in Euphoria surrounded by art that encourages guests to see that addiction comes from a natural longing for positive or interesting experiences. She says, “Not only did I get to mediate in Farsi, which is my native tongue and is something I never thought I’d get the opportunity to do, but I also got to learn a lot more about my culture’s history.” Neiku’s learning is by no means limited to people from the same background as her; she says that she learns something new from everyone that comes into the gallery.
At age seventeen, Neiku has realized that her thoughtful personality can be a strength. She is able to adapt her mediating style to meet the needs of visitors. Based on the preferences of the guest, she can have a two-hour-long conversation or just greet them with a warm smile, empowering them to conduct a self-guided tour. She has learned that adaptability is key in the mediator position and prides herself on focusing on guest preferences.
Neiku says that visitors and older mediators have helped her grow tremendously this summer. “I don’t think in any other environment or job position I would be able to learn so much about a topic as critical as addiction but also at the same time be able to learn so much about myself,” Neiku explains.
From mediating in Farsi to learning from graduate students, Neiku has been able to grow professionally and personally throughout her time working at HOOKED. But at the end of the day, she says, “Overall, the highlight of being a mediator for me has been seeing so many different people profiles come into the gallery and hearing so many stories.” Neiku Shahab is a wonderful mediator and dedicated learner, brimming with intellectual curiosity and excitement. If you’d like to hear Neiku’s thoughts about any of the pieces in “HOOKED: What Want Becomes Need,” stop by the gallery now through early September!
(This blog entry was developed by the SGA Mediators. Written by Kozbi Bayne, edited by Valentina Esho, with quotes from Neiku Shahab.)