I chose this program because I had never done a Study Abroad program before, and I badly wanted to participate in one at least once in my college life. So, I searched through my school’s website and found the CIEE Summer Global Internship Program. It was a great way to have a learning experience and a summer vacation all in one.

The CIEE staff were super helpful prior to the start of the trip and even during. We had online pre-departure sessions that tried to give us a fair idea of what to expect in Berlin. My Study Abroad advisor at home always encouraged me to go all out in my application process, and this help was vital in my selection for the program.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I started thinking about this and a flood of memories came back: buying Dr. Martens as a 17-year-old on Carnaby Street in London, touching centuries old castle ruins in Scotland, the beyond dark nights of winter in Göttingen, lighting advent candles in Heidelberg, riding subways home as the sun rose over Berlin, sleeping outside with stray dogs in Athens, surviving the hole in the floor toilets in Italian train stations, rooming in fairy towers in Cappadocia, sampling all the coffee houses of Budapest, losing myself in the blue of the painted starry heavens in the churches of Krakow... it goes on.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have been able to see the impact that living and study abroad has on so many young people. I have been part of a company that is beyond amazing and this has fueled my own passion to find a permanent place working in this ever important field.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Any time a student comes back and later tells me they are majoring or minoring in German, I'm thrilled!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would do a year abroad in Berlin, Germany with CIEE, there's no question!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

They have established the Global Institutes in major cities - this is huge. They are more than just 'brick and mortar' company locations, they are community centers, living space, working classrooms, and a social hub for all involved. Fabulous!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

The biggest factor is supporting all to be their best selves. A successful company seeks out interesting, organized, intelligent, passionate and motivated people and trains and moulds them to be assets in the organization rather than solely relying on 'proven track records' and such. Further, a successful company stays hip but not trendy and listens to the pulse of its people, not just outside voices.