Making connections in the final days of the annual programme (Chantal Umuhoza, Rwanda, Senior Fellow 2025)

Written by Chantal Umuhoza, Curator, Rwanda Cultural Heritage Academy (Rwanda, ITP Fellow 2018, Senior Fellow 2025)

As the ITP annual programme comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the incredible experiences and networking opportunities it has offered over the past six weeks. Beyond the formal sessions, a variety of events, day trips, and shared moments around meals allowed us to connect on a deeper level and build lasting friendships.

Our final Friday trip was to visit the BM_ARC (Archaeological Research Collection), a new facility of the British Museum located at the heart of the Thames Valley Science Park. This centre is designed for storing and studying museum objects. We had the chance to see behind the scenes of how objects are cared for and examined. While fellows are always engaged during sessions, what I truly appreciated was witnessing their strong connection during lunch and sharing laughter during the scenic journey to our destination.

Another memorable experience was our visit to Kenwood last Sunday. Being welcomed by Frances Carey and exploring this historic site and its remarkable collection with her was a real treat. After the tour, we had the privilege of visiting Frances’ home on Hampstead Heath. She kindly prepared and served us delicious cakes, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. What stood out most was Frances’s humility, kindness, and thoughtfulness throughout the entire visit. Despite her impressive career and title, she was approachable and generous with her time, leaving us all feeling inspired and grateful for her hospitality.

Then, the big day for us, especially for the fellows, was the Object in Focus supporters’ reception. For six weeks, everyone had been wondering what it would look like. Personally, I was eager to see it because, during our residency at our partner museums, some fellows seemed a bit anxious about the outcome. However, it was truly inspiring to see the wonderful and innovative displays they had created. Each team put forth their best effort, and having the exhibition in the Wellcome Gallery added a beautiful touch and a perfect backdrop for photos.

Usually, I’m not a fan of farewells, but the barbecue at the Bedford Hotel provided a wonderful opportunity to say goodbye to colleagues who have been with us throughout the programme and to meet new people from different departments and partner museums. The best part was dancing, so much so that I left with my legs sore! But I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this journey so special. I look forward to seeing how we all will carry these experiences forward in our work and beyond.