What is your favorite travel memory?
There are too many to choose! What a hard question...
Anyone who knows me knows that I love learning and speaking other languages, but alas, one cannot know all the languages in the world! I remember a time that I was in Vietnam on a motorcyle tour through the rural area of Ha Giang in the North, just shy of the Chinese border. It started down-pouring and we had to pull over to a local bar to wait out the rain. I do not speak Vietnamese and the locals we found at the bar didn't speak English, but there was a pool/billiards table there and we played several games together. Though we didn't share a language, this game represented a form of shared understanding and we were able to shout with excitement, laugh, engage in friendly rivalry and celebrate together. I love how, even beyond language, we can learn to communicate through music, food, games, laughter, smiles and so many things that unite us as humans.
Anyone who knows me knows that I love learning and speaking other languages, but alas, one cannot know all the languages in the world! I remember a time that I was in Vietnam on a motorcyle tour through the rural area of Ha Giang in the North, just shy of the Chinese border. It started down-pouring and we had to pull over to a local bar to wait out the rain. I do not speak Vietnamese and the locals we found at the bar didn't speak English, but there was a pool/billiards table there and we played several games together. Though we didn't share a language, this game represented a form of shared understanding and we were able to shout with excitement, laugh, engage in friendly rivalry and celebrate together. I love how, even beyond language, we can learn to communicate through music, food, games, laughter, smiles and so many things that unite us as humans.
How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?
I started as an Enrollment Coordinator at Absolute Internship and was the first point of contact for students interested in the program. I still look back fondly on those days; connecting with students from all over the world and speaking about their dreams and ambitions is still something I cherish. But as the years passed I felt I needed to challenge myself in new ways and continue growing. There was also a need within the company to engage with our alumni in a more meaningful and intentional way, and my boss and mentor encouraged me to take the initiative to do so. I took this challenge on and it brought me SO much joy and newfound energy for my work. This change came at just the right time, and it really revolutionized my world at Absolute Internship. I am so proud of the ways that I've grown within the company and am grateful for those mentors who entrusted me to carve out a new path and take responsibility for a new department.
What is the best story you've heard from a return student?
Do I have to choose just one?
I've met several students who did their internship abroad with Absolute Internship and NEVER left that country. They stayed. Some continue to work with the same host company while others used the experience they gained to land their dream job with another. I feel inspired by these students who dared to take that leap of faith and start a new life & career in a completely different country!
I also know an alumni who met her now husband because of her internship abroad with Absolute. She responded to an outreach email of mine explaining their entire love story, wedding pictures and videos included. Needless to say, the entire office was enamored with this Absolute love story!
I've met several students who did their internship abroad with Absolute Internship and NEVER left that country. They stayed. Some continue to work with the same host company while others used the experience they gained to land their dream job with another. I feel inspired by these students who dared to take that leap of faith and start a new life & career in a completely different country!
I also know an alumni who met her now husband because of her internship abroad with Absolute. She responded to an outreach email of mine explaining their entire love story, wedding pictures and videos included. Needless to say, the entire office was enamored with this Absolute love story!
If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?
Yet another tricky question...I think I'd have to go with Bangkok, with Shanghai being a close runner-up. I've never been to Thailand before but it's high up on my bucket list. Between the delicious food (yes, that's a big motivator for me in life hehe) and the vibrant culture, it seems like a no-brainer to me!
What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?
Absolute Internship is unique because every single one of us has either volunteered, interned, studied or lived abroad so we can really relate to our students in an authentic way. We walk the walk. That also means that we have a more intimate understanding of the challenges students might face, because we've actually experienced them ourselves. I'm not sure every study or intern abroad company can say the same.
I'm proud of how diverse our team is, and how many languages we collectively speak! I think the last time we counted it was upwards of 18 different languages.
I'm proud of how diverse our team is, and how many languages we collectively speak! I think the last time we counted it was upwards of 18 different languages.
What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?
I think adaptability is one of the biggest factors in being successful. Not only is our world, and the global market, constantly changing but we also work with clients and have colleagues from all over the world! The way we work together depends greatly on our different cultural norms. That means we need to be willing and ready to keep learning, growing and adapting to meet different needs and shift with an ever-transforming society and world.
I also think humility is essential. We need to be willing to admit when we've made a mistake or when we don't have enough information or resources to do our best. It's not about getting down on ourselves, passing judgment or blaming one another. It's about coming together and saying, OK, we need to do better. Let's work together to make a change.
I also think humility is essential. We need to be willing to admit when we've made a mistake or when we don't have enough information or resources to do our best. It's not about getting down on ourselves, passing judgment or blaming one another. It's about coming together and saying, OK, we need to do better. Let's work together to make a change.