Most productive travel after university

I had thoroughly enjoyed my exchange to Chile to work in an architecture office for three months. The three weeks intensive Spanish language course is extremely helpful and essential to allow myself to learn the local traditions and customs prior to my work placement. All the staff in the school were very welcoming and friendly. I learnt the many useful Chilean slangs while I was there, and I also got to meet other people who were in the same programme and so we all got to hang out and became instant friends.

In my first month I was placed in a housing placement with a local host family due to an unexpected cancellation of my room mate, but I was glad I did. My Chilean family was very lovely and showed me places around Chile when we were travelling with their extended family. I felt like I was part of the family and today although I am back in New Zealand in my home, we are still in contact.

The challenges I faced was to develop friendships with the locals. I had quickly develop friends among other travelers and other people in the same programme, and one day we heard that there is a meeting for Chileans who want to learn English at a local cafe every week. When we decided to check it out one night, we ended up developing a circle of friends between us from the Institute and some local Chilean students. It was great because they were practicing their English while we practiced Spanish. I am now still in contact with all of them, Chileans and the other travelers, and we are now planning to visit one another in our various countries.

Finally, my work placement was the best part out of this programme. I gained valuable experience and skills from my internship at the architecture office. It definitely made my resume stood out when I applied for jobs at home. Overseas internship shows courage, commitment and adaptability skills in becoming accustomed to a new work environment and system. It also shows strong motivation and personal resilience in learning a new language quickly and put into practice when dealing with clients and negotiate with other team members. I believe that this internship has played a major role in my success in securing a permanent job within my field. I am now working as a city planner in a local council.

I definitely made the best choice in choosing this programme with Adelante for my post-university travel. I had the time of my life travelling around Chile (and other countries in South America), meeting some amazing people from various backgrounds and cultures, and gaining a valuable work experience to add to my resume. All within a very reasonable price! Much cheaper than those travel for students packages without the opportunity to gain work experience.

Thanks Adelante!