It was the last year I could really pick my 'own' intern destination and I wanted to experience a new country I had never been to. Next year I'll be a junior which means I'll be at the mercy of companies to place me.
Alumni Spotlight: Ayman Siraj
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Ayman is currently majoring in Chemical Engineering at the University of Southern California.
Why did you choose this program?
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The application process is pretty straightforward. You apply, do an interview and wait for your acceptance. They provide all the documents you need if a visa is required. The stuff I organized on my own is the weekend excursions with other interns.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
Take a travel adapter that works in South Africa, some of the travel adapters you buy from Amazon don't work there. Plan out weekends so you don't waste the weekend planning what to do. South Africa has too much to offer so know what you want to do.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
You have class twice a day, each session is 1.5 hours. Time between and after classes is spent finishing exercises/projects, and nights are usually spent working or eating/going out with others. During the internship you're pretty much free to do what you want after work!
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it and/or how did your views on the issue change?
The only fear I had was not being picked up from the airport, but I was! Other than that the rooms and internet speed could use some improving.