Did YOU intern abroad?! If so, where and what inspired you to go?
Tim: I had the honor of being the first exchange student sent from the University of Tasmania to our sister school in Japan. For the entire year, I lived with a host family and totally immersed myself in the local culture.
This led to a full year internship to work with a Japanese automotive company, living in an all-male dormitory with rooms the size of a shoebox.
I was inspired by the opportunity to diversify and gain an understanding of how the country channelled all its energy into ‘group effort’ to recover from the situation it found itself in after WWII.
What about the future of the industry? How do you think intern abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?
Tim: To be honest, I have changed industries just to be a part of the excitement surrounding international education here in Australia.
With an expected population boom and ageing population, there’s going to be a plethora of opportunities as we open our doors to enthusiastic and motivated internship participants that are willing to give the 150% that is required in this age of business streamlining and efficiency.
As Aussies, we have the opportunity to promote our culture on an international stage and develop global citizens with Aussie flavor all over the world!
What does the future hold for Alliance Abroad Group - any exciting new programs to share?
Tim: IAAG is now also offering exciting Business, Event and Creative Internships that give recently graduated or qualified internationals the chance to enhance their skills in their chosen vocation in Australia before taking on a full time career at home.
Some of our opportunities are with business administration, event planning, videography, graphic design, marketing, program coordination, sales and social media.
What was your favorite traveling experience?
Tim: There’s been a few! I have escaped unscathed, but the near-misses are always favorites for some reason. The first was when I was holidaying in the Philippines in 2013, and I was caught in a major flood.
My only shelter was a nearby local family home that was half underwater. Stuck for 2 days, I bonded with fellow travelers stranded at the house across the street (now a river) by communicating with a megaphone.
When enough was enough, I decided to jump off the verandah onto a passing truck (narrowly missing the floodwater) and hitch a ride to Boracay Beach.
The second one was when my trip to Spirit Lake in Iowa in 2014. Woodpeckers, squirrels and chipmunks everywhere! I truly understand how Americans feel when they see kangaroos, koalas and echidnas for the very first time and say “wow they actually exist” !