Why did you choose this program?
I chose this program for two reasons. The first reason was that I wanted to gather valuable work experience in the field that I love. Due to the pandemic, I was unable to have an internship last summer. Also, I wanted to get somewhat of an abroad experience. I was unable to study abroad due to the pandemic, so I thought this program would be a great way to get an international taste.
What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
CEA was very helpful in placing me with the right internship. They listened to what I was looking for, and they worked their hardest to find the best fit for me. CEA did a great job in teaching me how to be a good intern and how to succeed in the workplace whether that be through the internship seminar or through the weekly group meetings.
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
My primary piece of advice is to not be afraid to share your ideas. Being an intern can be intimidating at first, but you will get the most out of your experience if you are open to growth and new ideas. Also, it is okay if you do something writing. Being an intern is a learning experience; do not be so hard on yourself!
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
An average day as a virtual intern truly varies. It is up to you on how you want to divide the internship work. However, throughout my internship, I found myself doing a little bit of work at a time. I would not recommend cramming all your work into one setting. Time management is a key aspect! However, over the week, you spend about 15 hours or so on internship work.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear was that it would not be fun. I used to hold this viewpoint that work cannot be fun and that it is just strenuous and busy work. I quickly learned during my internship that this is not the case. Finding fun in work comes from within. It stems from being yourself, sharing your ideas, and being grateful for your experience.