Kate Walsh, Paris Internship and Geneva & London International Conflict Resolution

February 13, 2014/in Geneva, London, Paris/by admin

Interned for a small, French management-consulting firm in Paris, Spring 2013. Also studied International Conflict Resolution Program in Geneva & London during Summer 2013.

I Learned: Even though I’d taken French languages courses up to the 300 level at BU, I couldn’t really speak the language until I had to take courses with Parisian professors and haggle over fruit prices with vendors.

I also learned that when all else fails: charades.

Comparing/Contrasting My Work Experiences: The business I interned for in Paris was trying to expand globally, so they had a number of interns from very different backgrounds. Almost all of the businesses I’ve worked for in the US have only had American employees, which leads to a relatively limited perspective in the workplace. I’ve really only worked with small businesses, but my experiences with coworkers have been extremely positive in both France and America. Side note: for anyone who will be living in France, the French are much more direct about topics that Americans consider controversial like politics or religion. Don’t take offense!

Hardest Part: Once I was accused of stealing an apple from Monoprix (basically the French Target) by an over-zealous security guard. It was traumatizing.

Best Part: The best part of being abroad was making connections with both the other students on my program and fellow travelers. I’m still in contact with people I met in random European hostels!

Bethany Emery, Spanish Studies Program

January 17, 2014/in Madrid/by admin

Studied in Madrid, Spain for the Fall semester of 2013.

I Learned: First, I learned the importance of understanding another culture. When arriving in Madrid, despite having read several books about the people of Madrid, I knew very little about their true way of life and customs. This made even the simplest interaction complicated. For example, it is very common for people of Spain to stare at each other while on public transportation. It is not considered rude but is, instead, the norm. Therefore, while I thought something was wrong with me, they were just going about their everyday lives. Actions can be interpreted many ways, and, as a result, it is important to understand the culture before walking into a new environment.

In addition, my host family taught me things that you can’t learn in a classroom. They allowed me truly to understand the people of Spain and how they interact with each other on a day-to-day basis. This is something a textbook cannot teach you. I discovered that sometimes the best way to learn about how people coexist is to put yourself in the middle of them and just go with the flow. This forces you to observe others around you on a closer level and, therefore, augments your learning experience.

Comparing/Contrasting Business in U.S. versus Spain: While I did not intern while abroad, I noticed that the businesses I visited were much more relaxed than in the U.S. This was especially true with opening/closing times and appointments. The businesses are adapted to fit the Spanish lifestyle which involves most non-restaurants to be closed mid-day, but to remain open much later all night than expected in the U.S.

Hardest Part: The hardest part of my experience was adjusting to the language barrier. It was difficult to accept that I was not always going to be able to communicate exactly what I wanted to say. However, throughout my time, this improved as I learned different, more effective ways to communicate when verbal speech was not an option.

Best Part: The arts and their appreciation for the arts. The people of Madrid fill a huge auditorium on a week day in order to hear the National Orchestra of Spain play a classical concert. I’ve seen good metro performers make 10 euro in a single song. They appreciate good art in a way that very few do in the US. As a musician, being among this art-loving culture was the best part of my experience.

Aisha Rawji, London Internship–Management Track

December 9, 2013/in London/by admin

Dear London, xx Cheers, Aisha

My three month journey in London

Dear London,

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Just like the beginning of Love Actually, when Hugh Grant narrates a scene at the arrivals gate of Heathrow, my journey began full of happiness and love. Maybe it’s a ploy on Heathrow’s part, but I have never felt so proud, excited, and nervous to enter a country in my life. All I could think was “Wow, look at all these videos of the Queen. Wow, I’m so blessed to be at this airport. WOW I’M IN LONDON.”

My first mistake, however, was right when I got out of the airport and paid 80 pounds to get to my residence in South Kensington. (NOTE: NEVER EVER TAKE A TAXI FROM HEATHROW TO CENTRAL LONDON, YOU WILL REGRET IT).Living at the Crofton was a bit of a thrill, so many people packed into the residence hall, stealing from each others’ fridges, staying up until the crack of dawn for no reason. But it was, nonetheless, the best possible situation. I can’t thank the people I met enough, my new and good friends, for shaping my experience in a way I couldn’t imagine. From stuffing our faces with waffles in Amsterdam, to yelling “BONJOUR!” throughout the streets of Paris, to eating gelato on all the bridges in Florence, to missing our train in Rome, to partying it up with Pharrell in Ibiza — I couldn’t have asked for better friends to share my experience with.Back to London.

Lesson #1: Don’t rush it, enjoy it

At the beginning of my trip after reading every guide, abroad bible, London book and paper possible I created a to-do list on my notes on my iPhone. This list includes everything from ride the London Eye to walk Carnaby Street to take a cheesy picture on Abbey Road. I did successfully manage to finish 99% of the to-do list and am incredibly happy that I did. Halfway through completing my list though it dawned upon me I was really doing it wrong. It’s great to have to-do lists (yes, I am a true type-A personality), but what you shouldn’t do is be in a rush to do it all without enjoying the moment. That’s when I discovered Hyde Park, my true haven that I could find about a minute walk away from the Crofton. The days when I didn’t want to keep going, Hyde Park was always the great alternative. Rent a bike, get a bottle of wine, listen to some free music, watch some people try to impress their dates by feeding the swans and then get attacked by them —it really was a great time.

Lesson #2: Make deeper connections

Being in a new country, or anywhere for that matter, you cross paths with hundreds of people everyday that are continuing on their own journey. In Los Angeles, crossing paths mostly happens while you’re stuck in traffic on the 405. In London, although the city is quite large, crossing paths can mean on the tube, in Piccadilly Circus, in the Tech City Roundabout, at Waitrose, at Nando’s. The people I’ve met, in passing or on purpose have had amazing stories to share; from a man who was once homeless but is now working on a new startup to a random lady on the tube who shared with me terror stories about her son. Kiss them on the cheek, give them a tight hug, give them a piece of your Cadbury bar (ok, maybe not the last part). These stories and people taught me to make deeper connections, learn their names, find out where they’re from, where they’re going, where they want to go, who they want to be.

Lesson #3: Let the journey change you

Most people who go abroad decide to do so for the journey of becoming a different person. I, no doubt, was one of those people. From the beginning I kept searching for situations that could change who I am and make me a better person, more understanding, more gentle, more kind — the person I’ve always wanted to be. I distinctly remember climbing the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral thinking, “I’m a changed person, this just changed me.” What I didn’t realize for the first 11 weeks of my experience was that I didn’t need to find an experience or monument to change me, I didn’t need to force myself to change, I just needed to let the journey change me. From start to finish it changed me, whether I knew it or not. And I only hope for the better.

Lesson #4: When you’re there be really, really there

I wouldn’t make the argument that I’ve been sleeping through the past 21 years of my life, but I definitely have been daydreaming through it. In Yoga and Bharatha Natyam, we’re taught to have drishti or focus. It’s a technique you use to first focus your eyes and then your mind. Being abroad has taught me the full meaning of drishti. When you’re somewhere beautiful, say touring Buckingham Palace, you’re physically there but if your mind isn’t, being there is completely pointless. If your mind has oneness with your body, what you discover is far beyond the physical — but moments.

Lesson #5: Make good memories

As a taxi driver/poet in Athens told me, “Make good memories.” Three months is a long time and I can’t necessarily remember every moment of everyday. But, the memories I will always cherish are those that were the most ridiculous, the most unlike myself, the ones that made my experience. Thirty years from now I won’t necessarily remember what the significance of the Tower Bridge is but I will remember the incredibly long three-hour journey that took us there — hail storms, wrong trains and all. Or a two-hour debate with my token British friend about the ups and downs of college and our youth. These will be the memories I’ll always keep.

Five lessons aren’t enough to summarize everything I’ve learned, seen or experienced in London. Nonetheless I am incredibly grateful and blessed to have been able to experience such an amazing country. Although I’ve probably experienced the best weather possible, I hope my journey ends up back here one day and my lessons continue. A huge thank you to everyone in London, my friends (TOFTB), my token British friend Iftikhar for taking me to Regency, my professors, guides, and boss/inspiration CBM. And last but not least my loving parents for giving me the opportunity to come here and truly experience what they’ve always taught me, “everything happens for a reason.”

I’ll see you soon London.

xx

Cheers,

Aisha

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