Alumni Spotlight: Saheed Akerele

Saheed, a 24-year-old male originally from London, travelled to Sydney, Australia for an adventure whilst also trying to gain some professional work experience abroad. Prior to venturing to Australia, Saheed studied Human Resource Management at the University of Westminster in London.

man posing on australian beach with surfboard

Why did you decide to intern abroad with AIFS?

Saheed: I researched a few different companies offering internships abroad and AIFS looked to have the most comprehensive programs; offering everything from help with resumes to events for interns.

What did AIFS do for you and what did you need to do on your own?

Saheed: AIFS advised me as to which visa would allow me to achieve my goals in Australia. AIFS also gave me a personal orientation which ensured I was ready to start and was also aware of what was expected of me. It was my responsibility organise travel from London to Sydney and to find appropriate accommodation.

Where was your best photo taken and what was it of?

Saheed: My best photo was of me competing at a monthly pull-up competition on Bondi Beach.
This was the best photo as I think it epitomizes the Australian culture of being highly active and supportive of different sporting activities.

pull up competition bondi beach

Prior to leaving London for Sydney, I had stumbled across a group of calisthenics enthusiasts on Facebook who held open competetions for the general public every month. Shortly after landing in Sydney, I decided to check it out and was urged to compete; so I did. I was watched and applauded by a vast amount of 'passers by' and I think it shows just how enthusiastic Australia is about sports and recreation.

Tell us about an experience you had that you could not have had at home.

Saheed: In Australia, I was able to spend a lot more time outdoors, mainly due to the fantastic weather there. The weather in London isn't always as pleasant so a lot of time is spent indoors. More specifically, I was able to participate in a range of outdoor activities such as rope climbing, rock climbing, surfing, and of course, sun bathing on the beach!