Embarking on an international internship has been an exciting adventure, full of promising new experiences and opportunities.
After working with My English Sister for 4 months, I wanted to share the unfiltered realities of my experience. From high 'highs' to challenging lows, here is my experience of the pros and cons of moving abroad for an internship.
Hello! I am Bella, a third-year University of Edinburgh student studying languages and social sciences.
Read on to learn more about my first-hand experience moving and working abroad.
In this article we'll cover:
Finding a home away from home
Building connections abroad
Navigating a new professional environment
The Excitement of New Beginnings
Working abroad has always been a dream of mine. When I found the internship opportunity with My English Sister, I knew I had to apply. Although I was anxious, I was equally excited to experience a new culture, learn a new language and immerse myself in a completely different way of life.
Moving abroad was an opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort zone. Throughout the interview and moving process, My English Sister helped in every aspect. Any concerns or confusion, MES was able to help and explain everything, I felt more confident knowing no question was a bad question!
Finding a Home away from Home
Growing up moving internationally, integrating into different cultures and societies was not something that I was nervous to navigate. Once arriving in Lyon, the challenge of finding a sense of home was more apparent than I was expecting.
Being in a new, bigger, foreign city with different public transport and cultural norms, I underestimated the difficulties I'd encounter moving abroad. These were tasks that didn't seem so daunting, prior to moving to Lyon. Through trial and error, I was able to find accommodation through an ERASMUS group on Facebook. Living with Lyon locals was a massive help in integrating in French society.
See below our ultimate three-step guide to moving to Lyon: accommodation, finances, and socialising.
Building connections
Living abroad offers many experiences, and for me one of the most enriching aspects is the opportunity to pursue friendships with people from diverse backgrounds. The friendships that I have formed changed my living abroad experience; through them I was able to find a sense of home in a new place. Being in a foreign country with a foreign language can be daunting, having friends that were going through a similar journey helped immensely.
With the support of My English Sister and international student Facebook groups, I was able to connect with people who were in similar situations to me. Whether they be from the Faroe Islands, Sweden, or Canada we were all able to find a level of understanding and relatability, being able to create a support system in a foreign country.
Navigating a new professional environment
Embarking on a professional journey in a different country has been an exciting and challenging experience, mixing both a new job with the richness of a new culture. Navigating a different professional environment has provided a unique chance for self-discovery.
Each day has challenged my skills and taught me invaluable work and life skills in which I will be able to carry and use in my future career.
The mixture of professional experience and personal growth has made my time abroad nothing short of special. It has broadened my career aspirations as well as taught me many new things about working in a professional environment.
My English Sister challenged me to think differently and see another side of the workplace. My internship also gave me the opportunity to gain new skills and experiences that I would not have had otherwise. I pushed myself out of my comfort zone by taking on tasks that were outside of my skill set.
For example, I worked within a completely new professional domain and was able to further improve my knowledge in the realm of childcare and teaching. These experiences have not only broadened my horizons but have also given me a new perspective on life. On a professional level, I am now more confident in my abilities and feel better equipped to handle any challenge that comes my way. My day-to-day work routine was always exciting with a variety of tasks from tutoring to blog writing, it was a nice break from the usual university routine.
When all is said and done
Overall, living and working abroad has been an unforgettable experience that has allowed me to learn, grow, and challenge myself in ways I never thought were possible. I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences that have come my way, and I believe that this experience will serve me well in the future. Living and working abroad has opened my eyes to new possibilities and has given me the confidence to tackle issues or setbacks that will come my way. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to live abroad to seize the opportunity and embrace the adventure.
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