What originally inspired you to intern in New Zealand with GlobaLinks Learning Abroad?
Jenny: I have always had the itch to travel, so naturally I wanted to do something abroad for school. I have had a unique college experience, taking only online classes each winter plus graduating a semester early, so I did not have the opportunity to do a semester abroad. This program was perfect for me because it enabled me to do an internship abroad and still receive school credit. New Zealand was a place that I really wanted to see, so I chose GlobaLinks because they offered custom placement for internships, which enabled me to find an advertising internship.
Describe your day to day activities as an intern in New Zealand.
Jenny: As an intern at Y&R Wellington, I would shadow different employees throughout the internship. When I was working with the creative side of the agency, I was asked to prepare an analysis of social media and its impact on advertising and promotions. I also was able to go to a voiceover recording for a commercial while there. There was a lot more down time than I expected and I sometimes felt as if I wasn't given enough actual work to do.
On my three-day weekends, I traveled- a LOT. I went to Masterton, Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, Picton, Blenheim, the Wairarapa region, Mt. Rhuapehu, Queenstown and all around Wellington.
How has this experience impacted your future personally, professionally, and academically?
Jenny: Ironically, this internship made me realize that I did not want to work at an Ad agency. I love to cook, and began blogging while in Wellington. I realized that most of my blogging ended up being about my cooking, recipes and the Wellington farmers market, which led me to decide to attend culinary school after graduation. I also had a lot of time to travel alone and really get to know more about myself and experience sites individually, which was very life changing. In addition to this, I got to learn a lot about the Maori people and traditions. On the lighter side, this internship also got me college credit for my major.
