Travis Pozzetta, Madrid Internship

Travis Spain 4Internship: I studied abroad in Madrid at La Universidad Autónoma de Madrid during Spring 2014. I interned with Management Solutions, an international business consulting firm. I worked in the central Management Solutions office with I+D, the Research and Development department. The primary responsibilities of I+D are to research and report on the macroeconomic, financial, and regulatory conditions of regions in which its clients operate. I was responsible for major contributions to several ongoing projects. I spent most of my internship working from a company laptop, compiling information and creating Spanish-language reports and PowerPoint presentations. My research mostly supported the work of the rest of team, and I was assigned to several different topics, from summarizing and translating the Model Risk Management regulations included in IFRS 9, to reporting on the broad financial panoramas of the US and UK. Additionally, I helped with the final versions of many of the English reports produced by I+D, as I was the only native speaker in the department.

I learned: One thing that I learned was the importance of communication and collaboration in an office environment, something that was difficult for me at first due to the language barrier. Fortunately, the team was very supportive and made accommodations for me at first, knowing that I was coming to Madrid as a person who had limited experience with working in a second language. Eventually, as I improved, they raised their expectations and gave me projects that were more complex and required a greater Spanish speaking aptitude.

Another thing I learned a lot about was perspective. Since I’ve only ever taken classes in the US, I had a very “US-centric” education up until my semester abroad. Between the business classes and my conversations with Spanish students, I learned a lot about Spanish culture and worldviews and how different one’s perception can be, based upon personal experience and values. I feel that this trip helped me learn to relate more with values and perspectives that are very distinct from my own.

I was surprised by: The thing that surprised me the most was how easy it was to adjust to an environment that was completely foreign to me. Before the program started I was fairly nervous, especially because I wasn’t sure that my Spanish would be good enough. Even so, within the first week of our arrival I felt much more comfortable, especially knowing that the BU Madrid staff was there to help with anything I needed. Before I knew it, I was going through my days with no problems at all. It truly felt like I was a part of the community rather than a foreigner.

The hardest part: The hardest part of my experience was getting used to the Spanish upper education system. I knew that it would be a challenge taking classes at the Autónoma with native speakers, but the main issue for me was the lack of structure throughout the semester. Classes were twice a week and totally lecture-based, as the program details explained, but this was difficult for me because I’m accustomed to a different learning style. The only other grades besides exams were projects and attendance. Other people will certainly excel in this system, but the combination of exclusively lecture-based classes and the Spanish-language environment was a challenge. Regardless, the teachers were accommodating for international students and I was very happy with my progress by the end of the semester.

The best part: A very difficult question, but the best part for me was the ability to travel. I was fortunate enough to take a few weekend trips in Spain and around Europe, and it was life changing. The countries are close enough, but with the cultural differences it almost felt like I was visiting different worlds. I think travelling gave me a greater appreciation for Madrid, and I loved feeling like I was coming home at the end of the trips.

My tips: I advise you to make the most of this incredible location! Madrid is an absolutely amazing city, and there are so many opportunities throughout the semester to explore it further. Be sure to visit the many beautiful museums, try the local cuisine, and make Spanish friends! You will be very busy during the semester, so plan ahead and make the most of your limited time. Spain is a large and diverse country, so you should be sure to see other cities as well.

Entrepreneurship Development Institute Internship 2014 – Sixth Week, Addison and Bradley

EDI-SEWA-JumpingAddison and Bradley leave us with their lasting thoughts on their time interning in India….

After 4 weeks of background research and conducting interviews in the Varanasi cluster, we had all the information we needed for our 3-year business plan, process documentation* and promotional material. The final 2 weeks of the EDI internship were used to compile all of these documents together. Whilst long days, hectic schedules and a lot of chai were needed to produce these documents, we thoroughly enjoyed our work and were motivated by the fact that these documents could improve the three-handloom clusters under EDI. At the end of the internship, we gave a presentation on our findings and recommendations to students and senior faculty members of EDI, which was well received. Our main recommendation was for the clusters to set up a Marketing Team which would implement and oversee marketing initiatives in order to strengthen brand equity.

In the last weeks of our internship, we used every opportunity to explore more of Ahmedabad which included Sunday markets, Hindu temples, and Indian cuisine. The Sunday market was a blessing for anyone looking for last minute gifts and also a curse for anyone who can’t avoid a good bargain or two . . . I unfortunately fell into both categories!

As our internship drew to an end, it was unfortunately time to say goodbye to all the wonderful people and colleagues we had met along the way. Nevertheless, we all enjoyed the farewell meals, and welcoming Sharmishta (Newcastle University Business School’s International Relations Manager) to Ahmedabad.

From auto-rickshaws to handloom clusters, the 6 week internship with EDI is one that I will never forget. Whilst it’s hard to sum-up an experience like this one in a blog, it can easily be done in a word – people. The people I’ve met and worked with along the way – EDI employers & students; Boston & Newcastle University; citizens of India and especially the other interns – have made this experience possible, and better than I could have imagined. An internship in India has offered me a diverse cultural experience leading to new friendships, and enhanced my international network. In addition, I have gained practical and professional marketing experience, and developed as a global citizen.

It is for the above reasons and many more that I strongly recommend this internship – and any other Global Experience Opportunity (GEO) – to anyone who wants to build an exceptional international portfolio.

* The purpose of the process documentation was to produce a clear and accessible standalone document which outlined all EDI interventions within the three-handloom clusters. This allows EDI and other parties to easily review past interventions.

EDI-SEWA-Interns-temple

Elevator Fund Internship – Fourth Week

Haifa-SunsetAlthough the media’s headlines are serving up a storm regarding the situation in Israel, Chuk believes it is a safe place for the people living there. What an interesting time to be in Israel…

This week at work, I had the chance to do some field work, as opposed to work done solely behind the desk. Exploring around Tel Aviv to receive integral documents for Elevator was exactly what I needed to experience the local streets of the city. I also got to assist for a recent campaign developed by Elevator called www.isupportisrael.org. We aim to help families and businesses in the southern Israel impacted by the consequences of the current war. On my part, I partnered with another intern to work on a press release for this charity initiative to help gain more media attention. Thus far, our efforts have paid off; the campaign achieved a recent goal in raising over $50,000 from donations. The next goal is doubling it. It was exciting to be involved in a humanitarian project concerning the current time and context. My last project was to resume last week’s project in updating Elevator’s portfolio companies. In a nutshell, work was spontaneous and fun this week; this is what made the internship so appealing from the very beginning.

On the weekends, my friends and I have been eager to finally explore Israel, escape this bubble of Tel Aviv we have been trapped in the past few weeks, and see what the State of Israel has to offer. So at last, I had the chance to visit the Holy City Jerusalem on a day trip. It’s hard to explain my visit, it is just so holy and different from Tel Aviv; I can simplify it as an experience alluring for anyone wishing to discover the historic beauty and vibrancy in such a significant city, and grasp the mixture and feel of three different religions. Visiting the sites that encapsulate the story of Jesus Christ seemed surreal to me. We had tour guides within the Old City and the Mount of Olives, seeing a variety of stunning churches, synagogues, cemeteries, temples, and cultures. So much more to discover – this is one of the magical qualities about Jerusalem, and I will definitely return.

The next day, since we had heard a lot of positive things about Haifa, we thought it was worthwhile to visit the northern coast of Israel. We intended to go see the Bahai Gardens. Unfortunately we woke up too late; nonetheless it is another city to which we plan to return next weekend, it was that wonderful. Its picturesque and scenic views combined with its exquisite architecture offer a calm and quiet mood. According to a few locals, it used to be a tourist hotspot, but everything has unfortunately cooled down over the recent years. Wrapping up the weekend, we probed through Tel Aviv’s Art Museum, housing a collection of modern and classical art. I found it very abstract; sadly, art is not a field comprehensible to me. Interestingly, the highlight was a mini documentary representing the Palestinian perspective on the conflict in Gaza; it was an awakening experience to enrich my understanding on both sides of the table.

It was a pleasant week with lots of sightseeing around Israel. We organised a weekend that had to be done or I would have absolutely regretted not taking advantage of exploring Israel. Hopefully, more will be seen by next week as my friends and I have arranged to swim at the Dead Sea, check out the Golan Heights, and revisit Jerusalem and Haifa for the upcoming weekend.

Chuk Chan (Jeffrey), BA Business Management

Jerusalem

Stephanie Gianni, London Internship

Westminster StephanieInternship: I worked as a Press and Marketing Intern for English National Ballet, one of the UK’s most renowned ballet companies. This experience helped me learn the difference between Public Relations and Marketing. My main ongoing tasks with Public Relations involved researching press contact information, and cataloging press clippings. Also, I was able to assist with dancers’ interviews and photoshoots for media outlets such as Glamour Magazine, The Evening Standard, and BBC News. For Marketing, I learned to use InDesign to create promotional fliers, analyzed ticket sales reports, created direct mail materials, and called local dance schools. The most exciting experience I had was representing ENB at opening night of a world premiere show by checking in guests and answering questions about the company.

I learned: My internship experience helped me learn the difference between Public Relations and Marketing, and gain further insight into working in the arts industry. Looking back on my abroad experience, I learned how important it is to take advantage of every opportunity presented. Four months may seem like a long time, but time flies much faster than you expect. I have to say I also became a savvy traveler after exploring Europe without having data or internet everywhere I went.

I was surprised by: How confusing it is to see cars driving on the opposite side of the road and get used to looking the right direction to safely cross the street. It was also surprising that, although the European countries are so close in distance, each can be vastly different in culture

The hardest part: I’m from California, so I know what it’s like to be away from home for long periods of time. However, when I first got to London it took me a few weeks to become comfortable being this far away from home, especially with an 8 hour time difference. Once classes started and things became familiar, I focused on the excitement of being abroad and by the end never wanted to leave.

The best part: Immersing myself in the city I lived in while having the opportunity to travel Europe with new and old friends. These trips, memories, and people made my abroad experience unique, and I can’t imagine a better way to remember my first times in Europe!

My tips:

  • Figure out the places you’d like to travel to most, then book your flights early.
  • Budget your expenses; remember the pound is almost double the value of the dollar.
  • Immerse yourself in London and all it has to offer (there are plenty of free activities).
  • Sign up for BU Social Program events for cool events at a discounted price.
  • Form relationships with your co-workers because it’s the easiest way to get to know locals.
  • Balance your time between traveling Europe and really experiencing the UK.

Katherine Yau, Sydney Internship

Bondi BeachI traded my summer for winter this year and thus began the adventures abroad in Sydney, Australia! If you’re on the fence for studying abroad for any reason, just DO IT. This summer I saw the best sights, met great people, and enjoyed the Australian accent.

My program was the Sydney Internship Program, and I interned at The Festivalists, which is a nonprofit arts and culture organization sponsored by the City of Sydney. The Festivalists mostly coordinates film festivals and specialized events at museums. As the Marketing and Sponsorship intern, I helped the coordinator do market research, develop mailing lists, and I even got to watch 13 of the movies they were going to screen at their upcoming film festival! Alongside my internship I took EC464 “The Pacific Rim – Economic and Political Orders,” and every class was like story time. Professor Mack is great and very worldly. Combined, the class and the internship kept me pretty busy, so plan your weekends with purpose to optimize time for exploring!

Although the culture shock was not as intense as it would have been in a non-English speaking country, studying abroad definitely broadened my perspective. It was neat and sometimes challenging to see the nuances in culture and lifestyle. Australians definitely have their lingo; you’ll hear “good on ya” for a job well done or hear cookies referred to as “biscuits.” (p.s. Eat lots of Tim Tams.) Don’t be surprised if strangers just strike up conversation with you, or when a car stops about an inch away from you as you’re crossing the street. Turns out, the buttons you push to cross the street are actually useful. Overall, though, it was humbling to learn that the American way is neither the only way nor the superior way. In Australia, I became the “foreigner.” I never got used to being asked where I’m from because I had an “American accent.” These experiences are subtle, yet meaningful, and they can only be found abroad.

Living in the city was great; to me, Sydney is this awesome fusion of European, Asian, and even American cultures. The BU Sydney Centre, where you’ll be living and taking classes, is so close to major stations, Sushi Hub (definitely go here), and even the grocery store. Definitely explore the “must sees” of Sydney, such as the Opera House, botanical gardens, and the museums, but don’t forget to spend time in the suburbs. Glebe, Surry Hills, and Darlinghurst are where it’s at. You’ll lose track of time as you explore the quirky eateries, hip bars, and unique boutiques that these suburbs have to offer.

Oh, and one final thing: make the trip up to Cairns, which is where you can find the Great Barrier Reef. It’s a must-see, and Cairns will make you fall head over heels for Australia. And definitely, definitely do Uncle Brian’s Rainforest Tour when you’re up there. You’ll see the beautiful rainforest, splash in waterfalls, and sing car-trip songs until you lose your voice. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in one day!

I picked Australia because I wanted to see some amazing nature sights, experience a cool city, and because I thought to myself, “I’ll probably never get another chance to go to Australia!” However, now that I’ve been to Australia, I know I’ll be going back someday. Pick Sydney, and have safe travels!

Kitty Chu, Shanghai

KittyatZhouZhuangI learned: I learned how to communicate better with my peers because I am usually very shy and quiet. It definitely improved my speaking skills both in English and in Chinese. I’ve made a lot of friends inside and outside the program. Coming to a Shanghai gave me a chance to speak to the locals and improve my listening and speaking skills.

I was surprised by: I never thought I’d be so attached to this program when I first came here. I didn’t know anybody except for two friends in the beginning, but everyone in the program got very close, especially the people in our class. It was such a friendly environment because the teachers, the tutors, and even the Chinese people were so welcoming and understanding. This trip made me want to come back to Shanghai again during my junior year for an internship and made me realize how much I really wanted to pursue a Chinese minor.

The hardest part: The hardest part of my experience was definitely communicating with the Chinese people. Because I am of Chinese decent, everyone assumed I was able to speak Mandarin. I can speak Cantonese, but I never learned Mandarin until college. People would walk up to me in supermarkets or stores and start talking to me really quickly. I often have to ask them to repeat it twice to fully understand them. When they found out I couldn’t speak fluently, they did not often understand why.

The best part: The best part of the experience was learning to become independent. I’ve learned to manage my time more efficiently. I would plan to wake up earlier to study before class, and cook breakfast for myself. Getting an apartment with only two other roommates also improved my communication and problem solving. If any problem arose, we looked for solutions together. Our teamwork kept the house tidy and clean.

My tips: The best tip for students coming here is to try and adopt to their culture. I think once you step out of your comfort zone and start stepping into the shoes of the locals, you’ll not only learn a lot more about the Chinese culture, but also broaden your knowledge and see the world in a different perspective. Also, don’t be afraid to speak in Chinese. Practice makes perfect. Getting it wrong will only help you improve.

Self-Employed Women’s Association – Week 6

EDI-SEWA-group-photoI cannot believe that the internship has finished. I sit here in the EDI campus just a few hours away from my flight home and I am still trying to take it all in. I have had an amazing time, and I have met so many wonderful people here, from students and teachers to managers and RUDIben (self-employed women who sell RUDI products).  It has given me a completely new perspective on how businesses can work, and has shown me the true determination and power of the women involved with SEWA and RUDI.

I have personally found our last week of the internship the best out of all of them. It started off on Monday with the presentation of Tim’s and my 5 year business plan for the Surendranagar District of RUDI.  To finally show our finished product and receive such positive feedback made all the hours that we spent working on it worthwhile. In the evening we met up with Sharmishta and all of the intern’s supervisors at a beautiful restaurant to be served a feast of Gujarati dishes. Sharmishta had the chance to meet our supervisors to whom we had all grown very close, whilst we filled our bellies with some delicious and rather strange food.

But our work had not quite finished there. Tim and I were then informed we would be making a trip to another district that had just started up so that we could create a short report on it and come up with a few recommendations on how they can improve. So on Tuesday, Dimpleben, Tim, and I set off to Rajasthan for two days.

It was great to be out in India again, peering out into the countryside and visiting various centres that provide support to so many people. A few hours later we arrived at our destination and were warmly welcomed by a group of RUDIben and their children who took us on a tour of the village, stopping off at various houses to be served sweet chai and spicy food. When we returned to the centre, we gathered the information we needed, helped the RUDIben load the car, and went to stay the night at one of SEWA’s manager schools before setting off back to Ahmedabad.

On the Thursday I spent my time writing the report and playing football with the Indian students with Jordan and Addison. We had come to look forward to the 6 o’clock kick off like eager children on Christmas Eve.

Friday came quickly, the last day of the internship, who could believe it?! The SEWA interns had a meeting where we showed our work and discussed the internship with our supervisors. They were all impressed with our work and effort over the course of the internship, and us with their kindness and help along the way. We also had the chance to talk to a couple of people who had been brought into SEWA to come up with a strategy for the next ten years; one of whom was a professor from Cambridge who was from the midlands, so after a brief while of talking football about Birmingham (whom I support) and West Brom, we discussed our work with them. To get more praise for our work from such people made Tim and me even happier, it really made us proud of our work. But things weren’t all so positive… we then had to say bye to Dimpleben, with whom Tim and I had grown so used to going into work and seeing her smiling face and hearing her little jokes. But Dimpleben wasn’t the only person who we were saying goodbye to; Addison left that afternoon, followed by Jordan, Jamie, Harriet, Su and Alex who set off on their travels around India. Lola and Bradley left in the evening, leaving me alone for Sunday.

But it wasn’t all so bad; I went to a market with a few Indian friends I had made on the campus and bought a kurta for my little nephew, and I cannot wait to see him in it! I had my last meal out which consisted of plenty of chicken and rice and returned back to the campus to pack my bags and write this blog.

It has been a truly memorable 6 weeks and I can look back on my experience with a fondness for this crazy and wonderful country I never thought I’d have. India has been so welcoming and friendly, and I have gained so much invaluable knowledge and seen sights that you cannot see anywhere else. I know I will return one day, and sooner rather than later I hope.

SEWA women at work

Caroline Fernandes, Madrid

Caroline_Madrid_Circulo de Bellas ArtesI studied in Madrid, Spain for six weeks in the summer of 2014. I took two classes: a Spanish art history class and contemporary Spanish culture class. The art class was one of my favorite classes I have ever taken so far in my college career. We learned about Spanish art throughout history and visited museums to see certain pieces in person. The contemporary Spanish culture class was all about the history of Spain since Franco’s dictatorship. I learned so much about Spain’s history, which allowed me to see how Spain has been shaped over the years.

I learned: Always put yourself out there and try new experiences because those are the moments you remember. I was nervous to study abroad because I had never been away from my family for that long. I always dreamed of studying in Spain and never thought I would do it, but I challenged myself and jumped on that plane to a new place and it was one of my greatest experiences.

Talk to strangers. Contrary to what you learned as a child, talking to strangers is the best thing to do when you are abroad. Locals tell you the best places to visit that may not be in a travel book. There are also so many people travelling around the world with whom you will cross paths and you can’t miss the opportunity to strike up a conversation and hear about their adventures.

I was surprised by: I was surprised by the amount of independence I had while abroad. I could explore the city as I pleased. It was like living on my own in this new city! I was able to make a trip to Barcelona that I was hoping for. Although there are group trips and activities, it is mostly independent exploration so make the most of it!

The hardest part: The hardest part of my experience was getting used to the cultural time differences. In Spain, lunch is in the late afternoon and dinner is really late. This is very different from the culture we have here in the U.S. Even though it was a struggle at first, I got used to it and embraced my new lifestyle.

Also, the classes are not taught the same way as at home, especially with a native Spanish teacher. There are different teaching styles and different expectations. I had to learn and adapt to the new styles, which required a little more effort. I enjoyed that the professors gave breaks during class!

The best part: The best part of my study abroad trip to Spain was my host family! I learned so much from them, and talking with them every night was very helpful in improving my Spanish. We played guitar, watched movies together, and bonded like a real family. I am going to miss my Spanish parents the most out of everything.

My tips: 

  • If you are a peanut butter lover, bring some with you. Peanut butter is hard to find in all grocery stores, and costs a lot.
  • Don’t bring unnecessary items because you will want the space in your luggage for the trip home.
  • Practice your vosotros form!
  • Talk to locals and other people traveling.
  • Get to know your host family.
  • Explore the city, because some of the best places discovered are the ones you stumble upon while walking around.
  • Take advantage of the cultural reimbursements!
  • If you have any questions about studying in Madrid, feel free to contact me at cof94@bu.edu.

Maggie Zhang, Seoul

stuffHello, this is Mengyuan (Maggie) Zhang, a senior marketing concentrator at SMG. I studied abroad in Seoul, Korea in spring 2014, which was the second semester of my junior year.

Seoul National University (SNU)

Courses
Each course in SNU counts as 3credits at BU. I took four courses (12 credits in total) at SNU, including a Korean language course that did not belong to SNU course system, but still count 3 credits at BU. Other courses I took were all English-taught class. I suggest one course in CBA (business school) called “Special Topics,” which counts as one international management course at SMG. This course is mainly designed for international students to learn more about Korean culture, and includes a field trip to the top Korean company, Samsung. There were also lots of guest speakers in this course who are all from the management level of the leading company in Korea.

 Club (동아리)
Joining student clubs is the most efficient way to know more local students. It is common for Korean student to participate in the clubs they like. SNU provides a wide range of clubs include golf, horseback riding, dance, music, camping and so on. I strongly recommend you to join one if you want to know more about Korean culture. If you are interested in the student clubs, go to the SNU website to find out more about this.

International student support
There are two student associations helping international students: SNU Buddy and CBA Buddy.  CBA Buddy is mainly for business school students and SNU Buddy is a general club for all exchange students. I joined both of them. You will be paired with one local buddy who can help you a lot when you are there. These two clubs provide a lot activities including city tours, travel to the cities outside Seoul, and “office pubs,” to help you learn Korean culture and meet Korean friends.

Restaurant
There are a lot of restaurants on campus, and you can get the location of each one on the school website.

On campus transportation
SNU has a really, really huge campus! Luckily, they have both a clockwise and counterclockwise free shuttle bus and pay bus. It is a little bit inconvenient if you want to leave campus, because the subway station is not walking distance from the campus. You need to take a bus first and then transfer to the subway to go to other places in Seoul. You will get more information when you go to the orientation.

Dormitory
Most international students choose to live on-campus because it is more convenient. I also recommended this. You will be assigned to the room. Usually it is a double room in the three-room suit, and includes a restroom.

Korea in general

Food
I love Korean food so much! Mandu(만두), Bokkumbup, 닭갈비, Soft tofu stew, kimchi stew, BBQ… great food everywhere!

Transportation
The public transportation system in Seoul is really complete. It is convenient to go anywhere in Korea. You can download a transportation app for your smartphone.

I really had a wonderful experience in Korea. Email me if you have more questions: Maggie.zhang93@gmail.com. I would love to talk to you more about my experience in lovely Korea.

Thomas Tung, London Internship

London Bridge with crowdInterned at a company called Thriev, a start-up company that specializes in private chauffeur service.

Internship: Thriev is Kind of like Uber, but they use all electric vehicles and their target market is mostly corporate customers. I was a graphic design and social marketing intern for them. Projects included creating new websites, finding optimal solutions for the phone network, managing Google AdWords to promote job listings and the company’s services, etc.

I learned: From my time abroad, I learned to trust my instincts more. You go abroad to experience a new culture, create new memories and build new friendships. You’re living life and enjoying every moment of it, but you realize you should acknowledge that little voice in your head or that gut feeling. It can help you get out of sticky situations if you ever encounter them. Also, you learn to respect different cultures. Living in London for three months makes you realize that you’re not just a tourist in a foreign country.You’re living in a different country where there is a different culture than America. Traveling and studying abroad allows for a student to embrace the lifestyle of the community that hosts him/her.

I was surprised by: I learned that British people ‘work to live’ which is the opposite of Americans who ‘live to work.’ It’s not to say that British people are not hard working. They are extremely hard workers. They just understand that work is not what life is all about. They care about downtime, and spending that downtime with friends and family.

The hardest part: The hardest part was getting adjusted into the English culture. It is so different than what it is like in the States. Social norms are different in the UK. Currency is different and at a different value. For the first month or so, you forget that you have to convert all the values into American dollars.

The best part: The best part was meeting new people from the different colleges in the States as well as British people with whom you develop professional relationships. You get to learn and experience education and business from a different perspective. Traveling all over Europe was another plus.

My tip: Keep an open mind, but trust yourself. That is the best way to enjoy your semester abroad.