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Program Description
GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Internships in Australia
Interview with Thomas Dickman, AustraLearn Internship alum
GO: What originally inspired you to intern in Australia with AustraLearn?
Thomas: I’ve always wanted to study abroad, but playing Varsity Basketball for the University of Mary Washington limited my time frame for traveling to the summer months. I attended a study abroad fair sponsored by the school and was immediately intrigued by Australia’s vivid culture. There were a number of different providers that I spoke with, but GlobaLinks and AustraLearn stuck out to me. They were very personable, and after explaining my situation to them, Mike Green, one of the Senior Leaders in the organization suggested I look into internship possibilities with the National Basketball League. I fell in love with the idea, and applied for the Marketing Internship at the Headquarters in Sydney, Australia.
Tad at the ANZ Stadium during his NBL internship
GO: Describe your day to day activities as an intern for the NBL.
Thomas: Working for the National Basketball League of Australia was definitely a blessing. They were very trusting and encouraging with projects, and allowed me to personalize these to the best of my ability. A typical day consisted of conducting interviews of various players and coaches in the league.
I had the opportunity to work on the NBL’s social media sites: posting new content, interacting with fans, and planning trivia contests/promotional giveaways. On multiple occasions, I did site visits to a few of the neighboring teams (Wollongong Hawks/Sydney Kings) where we took pictures, talked to players, and observed training. A few of the long-term projects I worked on were developing the league’s 300-page media guide, updating team rosters and player profiles, and brainstorming ideas for the 2012 Season Marketing Plan.
Tad skydiving over Australia!
GO: How has this experience impacted your future?
Thomas: This internship really opened my eyes to the determination and motivation it takes to be successful in the Sports Industry. Furthermore, it confirmed my passion to pursue this as a career. Working with the NBL has definitely impacted my life in other forms as well.
Personally, I became very attached to the league and the teams, and continued to make an impression by writing a blog about the NBL for one of my classes: An American Perspective on the Australian NBL. I participated in the league’s Fantasy Games and still interact with my colleagues on a regular basis. Professionally, as I begin to apply for jobs in the Sports Industry, many of the qualifications that are required to work with these teams, I completed during my internship. I have had many employers comment on the unique experience that international work brings to an organization.
Academically, this internship allowed me to focus my interests on Sports Marketing and Communications. I now work as an intern with my University’s Athletic Department, and strive to bring many of the tools I learned from the National Basketball League to my peers at school. The internship allowed me to progress individually in many realms. I feel very confident that the skills I learned will benefit me in the workforce after college, but more importantly, the friendships and relationships I built with my roommates, colleagues, and supervisors while in Australia are something I cherish every day and will never forget.
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Living a Dream
100%
Overall Rating
This program allowed me to live a dream! I highly recommend it. The staff was very helpful throughout the entire process, and the organization I worked for was excited to have me.