Tag Archive for: Marketing Internship

Ann Masline, London Internship

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Ann PenguinsInterned at Whisky Mist Nightclub

Internship: I worked at Whisky Mist Nightclub in the district of Mayfair in London. I was the PR and Marketing Intern at Whisky Mist. During my time at my internship, I planned events, managed the club’s social media accounts, and emailed prospective clients, from musicians to fashion designers, to visit Whisky Mist and have their events with us.

I learned: From studying abroad, I learned that there are so many fun and exciting opportunities beyond jobs and internships in the US. Knowing this, it’s exciting to realize that if I wanted to go back to London, or any other international city, it’s possible, and I now have the independence, resources, and skills to do so.

I also learned that “please” and “thank you” go a long way, no matter what country you are in.

I was surprised by: Something that surprised me most about my time abroad was just how many young people, both American and non-American, there are travelling around the world. Everywhere I went, there were college students and young professionals making memories and exploring, just like I was. It was amazing to meet these young people who were having similar experiences to the ones I was having.

The hardest part: The hardest part about studying abroad was balancing traveling and exploring with taking time for myself to relax and reflect. It was my initial instinct to book trips across Europe for every weekend I was abroad. After a few weekends of traveling though, I realized that I needed to balance my down time, time spent exploring London, and time spent exploring the rest of the world. Initially, I wanted to do it all, but I found that it was necessary to truly evaluate how much energy, money, and time I had.

The best part: One of the best parts of my abroad experience in London was at the end of the program when I no longer felt like a tourist, but more like a local. By the end, I was confident enough to give people directions, I was a “pro” on the buses and tube, and I was establishing a real routine in my day-to-day life. This was one of the best parts of my time because I no longer felt intimidated by the city, but rather comfortable and confident. By the end, I could also truly envision myself working and living in London in the future.

My tips: 

  • Plan on traveling the most during the first half of the program, when you have classes. During the second half, when you are doing your internship, you won’t have three-day weekends, and everyone will be exhausted from working all week.
  • If you have to choose between shopping at Harrods and buying plane tickets, don’t shop! You will always remember the fun and excitement you had traveling more than the new shoes that you bought.
  • Go to the markets! They are amazing.
  • Try to meet as many locals as possible; not only will you meet great people and learn more about London, but you’ll have a couch to crash on if you ever want to visit again!

Luisa Colon, Madrid Management Internship

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At a Flamenco Show in GranadaInterned at The Music Word of Mouth Company.

This past spring (Spring 2015) I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, through the Madrid Management Internship Program. I am a native Spanish speaker, and I have always dreamed of studying abroad in Spain, where I knew I could assimilate very easily and strengthen my Spanish-speaking skills. I had done extensive research on Madrid (I bookmarked places to see/things to do months before arriving), so I had an idea of what my time there would be like. After 4.5 months of living, working, and studying in Madrid, my experience exceeded all of my expectations, and I truly felt like I belonged there. I became a Madrileña. Madrid is a beautiful city filled with vibrant people, a deep history, astounding architecture, a great transportation system, awesome nightlife… it has everything! Plus, it’s not that expensive, as opposed to other study abroad locations.

Internship: I was the marketing intern for a small music company called The Music Word of Mouth (MUWOM), which is located in the trendy neighborhood of Chueca. MUWOM works to unite artists and brands through content generation and the use of the Internet and social media. I helped manage the social media accounts of MUWOM’s music artists. I conducted research and prepared reports on MUWOM’s competitors to improve the company’s strategy in generating content and experiences through music. I also contributed to the company’s blog by reporting on current news within the media, music and marketing fields. Overall, I had a pleasant time at my internship, and I was introduced to a couple of well-known and underground Spanish musicians.

I Learned: I gained a better understanding of the financial crisis and how it has affected Europe, and in particular, Spain. From my International Business class, I learned how to view situations from different angles and not just from an American viewpoint. My time abroad solidified my plans to concentrate in International Management and someday work for an international company.

I was Surprised: I was really surprised by how little clothing I actually needed throughout the months. I packed two suitcases, and I thought I had packed too little. However, I learned that I didn’t need all of it. I even donated some of my own clothing before returning to the US, which gave me more space for souvenirs and things I purchased along the way.

I was also surprised by the metro and bus systems in Madrid. They’re awesome: fast, convenient, clean, and reliable – nothing like the MTA or the MBTA.

The Hardest Part: The hardest part of my experience was dealing with a family loss a couple of weeks into the start of the program. I decided not to travel back home because I knew it would be harder to go, then leave my family and return to Madrid, than to just not go home. My family was very understanding, and they, alongside my host family and friends, supported me and helped me through that difficult time. Although I lost someone very special to me, I knew that he would want me to fully enjoy my time in Madrid.

The Best Part: The absolute best part was living with my host family. I lived with a married couple and their sweet and funny twin 15-year old boys. They welcomed me into their home with the biggest hugs and kisses (and a huge plate of paella). I had my own room and bathroom, and I always felt comfortable with them. Plus, my host mom is one of the best cooks ever – she was considerate of the things I did and didn’t like, and always had something new for me to taste.

My tips: 

  • Arrive with an open mind, and embrace the cultural differences.
  • Befriend locals: madrileños are awesome, and they know how to have fun!
  • Plan your travels ahead of time so you can save money.
  • Take advantage of the cultural reimbursements and explore Spain.
  • Enjoy all the tapas, beer and wine your heart desires, ¿vale?

I loved, loved, loved my time in Madrid, and I hope to return very soon. As they say, “de Madrid al cielo, y desde el cielo, un agujerito para verlo.”

Thank you for reading! Contact me at luisamc@bu.edu if have any questions or concerns about studying abroad in Madrid.

Emily Knecht, Auckland Management Internship

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RSCN0875Interned for the Auckland Writers Festival in Spring 2014.

Internship: The Auckland Writers Festival is a five-day event held in May that brings the very best local and international writers of fiction and non-fiction, scientists, economists, poets, journalists, and public intellectuals together with audiences to explore ideas and share stories. I helped the organization with their marketing efforts, the development of their new website, and various small projects in preparation for the festival. I also worked on the production team during the five days of the festival.

I learned: I learned the most about myself. My internship helped teach me about what I want to do with my life. The people I met in New Zealand helped teach me about the type of person I aspire to be. And New Zealand itself taught me how take advantage of every opportunity that life presents and to appreciate all the natural beauties of the world.

I was surprised by: I was most surprised by the person I became: the adventurous, independent, always optimistic, spontaneous Emily Knecht.

The Hardest Part: Honestly, the hardest part of my experience was getting on that plane and having to leave New Zealand, a place that became a second home to me.

The Best Part: There are too many amazing parts from my experience abroad. I loved everything about New Zealand: the activities I participated in, the people I was fortunate enough to meet, and the beautiful country I was able to travel.

My Tips: Push yourself as far outside of your comfort zone as possible, and take the time to meet the people of New Zealand.

Ashley Payne, Shanghai Internship

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ShanghaiInterned at Ogilvy & Mather, an international advertising, marketing, and public relations agency as a Public Relations intern in the OgilvyPR department. 

Internship: As an intern I was given many hands-on opportunities to learn about PR. I primarily helped to write case studies and press releases as well as create content for Chinese social media. I worked closely with the Shanghai VP of Corporate PR who pushed me to learn and gave me a lot of responsibilities, such as writing an application letter for the CEO of Tishman Speyer addressed to the International Business Leaders Advisory Council for the Mayor of Shanghai. I was also given the opportunity to help create social media content for the introduction of Lincoln Motors into the Chinese market, as well as work with other big name brands such as Chanel and Ferrari.

I Learned: Besides learning two semesters of Chinese in four months, I learned a lot about Chinese business culture, which is very different from American practices. The Chinese value strong relationships so it takes a while before you can gain their trust, whereas Americans value their time more than anything. It was enriching to experience this firsthand at my internship and it has prepared me for a possible future career in China.

What Surprised Me: I didn’t realize how international Shanghai is. I was meeting people from all over the world who were in my classes, lived in Tonghe (the international dorms at Fudan University), and interned with me.

Hardest Part: The hardest part for me was the language barrier. Going to China with no previous Chinese language lessons, it was hard to connect with the Chinese natives I worked with, and to communicate in general. I often had to rely on hand gestures and my classmates to help me get around. After a couple of weeks, I was exploring the city on my own and didn’t feel so uncomfortable communicating with people. I was able to practice the Chinese I had learned and they were able to practice their English.

Best Part: The best part was being able to go on trips around China thanks to the BU Shanghai Staff. They planned every trip and made exploring China so easy and so much fun. I loved being able to toboggan down the Great Wall of China, have authentic Peking duck, climb 10 km up Huangshan, and watch Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon with the villagers of Chengkan. Also, bargaining at the fake market is super fun.

My Tips:

  • Don’t be afraid to walk around and explore on your own
  • Always order eggplant

Sheena Chatterjee, Sydney Management Internship

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Rubix Cube AustraliaInterned at The Iconic, Spring 2014:

I was an Online Marketing Intern at The Iconic, the number one online fashion retailer within Australia. One big project I worked on was working with the Marketing and Creative Team to design a campaign that announced the firm’s new partnership with Nike. I worked on the brainstorming of activation points, selecting advertising agencies to create copy for the campaign, and creating cohesion throughout all parts of the campaign. I also worked on post-sales reports, showcasing to clients what advertising package they chose with the firm, and how product placement on the website, in the magazines, and on the blog helped their online sales.

I Learned: I learned that there is a balance to be struck between work and play. In Australia, people define the office as a place for work and home as a place for relaxation. I admired how Australians did not make their entire life about their work career. I hope to instill some of this mentality into my own life.

Secondly, I learned to appreciate what I have at Boston University. I spent one semester enrolled in The University of Sydney, and the resources made me realize how much I have at my disposal back at home. At Sydney Uni, their electronic library database is limited and the number of books stocked was a smaller quantity than BU. Furthermore, lecturers are not very involved with their students and I relied more on myself and the tutorial leaders for information on the class. Also, the campus is not a straight line, so definitely not as easy to navigate as Comm Ave!

I was surprised to find: I was surprised to find myself homesick. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to a handful of countries, but only on brief vacations; however, I believed that six months would be too short a time to be abroad. I was so ready to experience abroad life that I did not even consider missing anything back in America. As much as I didn’t want to believe the “Adaptation Curve” shown in the information session before going abroad, it is very much accurate.

The Hardest Part: It was very hard to understand the grading at Sydney Uni. In the United States, each assignment is graded as if we start out with 100 points and you are deducted points for your mistakes. In the Australian grading system, you start out with 0 points and are awarded points based off of how the teacher feels you completed the assignment. To give an idea of what is normal in Australian grading, most are awarded between a 70-75, and 85 on upward is considered great. Rubrics are not as detailed as at home, and grading tends to be a bit more subjective.

Also, dealing with the withdrawal from American pizza. Believe me, you will miss it. A lot.

The Best Part: I loved being able to truly call Sydney my home. I used my weekends to explore all the different neighbourhoods of Sydney with my roommates. I found different eateries, bars, secret graffiti, shops, etc. We came to find our favourite spots as well as constantly stumbling upon new establishments opening up every week. I really felt comfortable navigating the city both on foot and via the city transportation. I honestly feel like I got to know Sydney even better than I know Boston!

My Tips:

  • Definitely save up your money. Sydney might be more expensive than you were anticipating. Plus, I’m sure anyone would get the itch to travel, considering there are so many wonderful places to visit! Budget your money accordingly!
  • Get out into the city and explore! There are so many neighbourhoods and establishments to explore! People in Sydney are very friendly and there are so many people to meet. Get out there and have fun with the city and its people.
  • Wear sunscreen at beach all the times. There is a huge hole in the ozone layer right above Australia. Even if you think you are immune to sunburn… trust me, you’re not.
  • Enjoy the flat whites and TimTams as long as you can.

Haley Spechler, Dublin Internship

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Haley DublinInterned at Brown Thomas, a luxury department store, in the buying department, Spring 2014

Internship: For my internship, I worked in the buying department for Brown Thomas, a luxury department store that was exclusive to Ireland.

I Learned: I certainly learned to be more independent.  I had to rely on myself to navigate around a foreign city, book weekend trips to visit other cities, and still manage to find dinner for myself every night!  Being abroad alone in a new city taught me that no matter where I am, I can manage and stand on my own two feet.

Hardest Part: I think that the hardest part of living abroad for so long is always being an outsider.  I felt as though social norms were different in each place I visited, and it was hard to keep up with all of them and still be polite!

Best Part: The best part of my experience was being immersed in the Irish culture, which is warm and welcoming.  The best part of Ireland is certainly its people, and I loved speaking with tons of different Irish people, both adults and teens, about their lives in Ireland.  Turns out, they are just about the same as us, but everyone is much less angry!

My Tip: Bring a raincoat!

Stephanie Hill, Shanghai Internship

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Stephanie at WorkInterned at Ringier AG as an Events and Marketing Intern, Spring 2014

Internship:  Ringier AG is a multinational integrated media company that distributes three magazines that cater to expats in Shanghai: City Weekend, Shanghai Family, and Home and Office.  At my internship, I primarily helped research, prepare, and execute events for these publications.  I worked for the branding manager, who provided me with insight on the strategy behind upholding a strong brand reputation.  The marketing department was extremely small – which was great because I was given so much responsibility.  I was given several cool creative tasks because of my familiarity with advertising to Westerners, such as designing advertisements for upcoming events or creating slogans for marketing campaigns. Many highlights came from my internship experience, some of which included dressing as the Easter bunny for Shanghai Family’s “Easter FunDay,” or being in charge of the VIP section of City Weekend’s “Readers’ Choice Awards.”

What I Learned: I learned so much about Chinese culture that goes way beyond textbooks.  For example, I got to really experience and understand the long process of building and maintaining relationships.  Whether it’s just a friendship or conducting business, having a genuine relationship is fundamental in Chinese culture.  I also learned that cheese is impossible to find.

What Surprised Me:  I was actually shocked by how convenient everything was.  Cabs were always available and incredibly inexpensive.  Food was dirt cheap and delicious.  Not to mention, McDonalds delivery is 24/7.

Hardest Part: There are numerous difficulties that come with living in China –censorship, ambiguous meats, Wi-Fi that’s slower than 1999 dial-up, everyone constantly staring at you.  It takes a lot of adjustment but at the end of the day that’s what makes the experience so unique.

Best Part: Becoming friends with the locals and learning about the hidden gems in the city.  On the surface, Shanghai is pretty incredible, but locals can show you where to find the city’s best pork buns or the most beautiful spot to see the Pudong skyline.

My Tips:

  • Do NOT eat snake
  • Take the giant slide down the Great Wall
  • Brush up on your Chinese before coming
  • Be willing to play basketball or badminton with Fudan University students – they are incredibly friendly and welcoming
  • Order eggplant at any and every restaurant.

Jana Amchin, Sydney Management Internship Program

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Jana Australia KangaroosInterned at L&A Social Media and studied Marketing at The University of Sydney

Internship: I was an intern at L&A Social Media during my first two months in Australia. L&A is a small business that specializes in social media strategy and implementation. The company helps brands to use social media effectively on a daily basis in order to grow their communities. It was an extremely creative environment, which was what really intrigued me. As an intern, I helped to find and create content for an assortment of social media accounts. It was fascinating to learn over time what the followers of different brands are interested in. I had an excellent time working with the L&A team, and I definitely learned a lot. It was great to get some experience in the social media field since it plays such a huge role in business/marketing nowadays.

I Learned: Interning and studying in Australia taught me that it is possible to mix business and pleasure. Australians have the perfect balance between work and fun. I found that people you work with aren’t simply your coworkers, and other students in your lectures aren’t simply your classmates. From my experience, everyone there really seems to make an effort to become friends. Aussies love to go get a drink and socialize after class or leave the office early for a Friday “arvo” beer. It was nice to be immersed in a culture where life doesn’t only revolve around work. Having a good time is also important!

What Surprised Me: Sydney is very diverse. I had no idea how strongly influenced the city is by various Asian cultures. Chinatown and Thaitown are two of the coolest parts of the city (and also have some of the best food)! One of my favorite things to do was go to the Asian market to buy all sorts of exotic fruits and veggies you would never find in America! Australia is not all beaches and surfers as I originally thought. It’s a country with a mixture of all different types of people with all different lifestyles, which makes it a very unique experience.

Hardest Part: The Sydney SMG program is longer than other study abroad programs due to the Australian school year. Classes start in the beginning of March and finals end in mid June. Therefore, while all my friends back at BU were finishing their courses and making summer plans, I still had half of my semester left. It was difficult to focus on my schoolwork when everyone back home was already done. However, the hardest part was leaving Sydney at the end since I really came to love it there!

Best Part: Since the program was a bit longer than others, I really feel like I had the opportunity to explore all that Sydney has to offer. I got to know the city and all of its neighborhoods (my favorite is Surry Hills!) so well because it was my home for six months. My roommates and I took advantage of every spare second we had to try out new restaurants, cafes & bars, attend the numerous festivals held in the city, and of course travel. For me, I would say that the best part of my study abroad experience is knowing that I made the most of my time there. When I came back home I had checked everything off of my Sydney bucket list!

My Tips:

  1. Travel as much as you can! Explore Australia- there are so many beautiful places to go within the country. (I was lucky enough to go to the Whitsundays, Cairns, Melbourne, Tasmania, Hunter Valley, and the Gold Coast. I also went to New Zealand!) They were all fabulous!
  2. Make a checklist of everything you want to do, so you can budget your time and money wisely!
  3. Take advantage of all the cultural offerings in Sydney. Because of the city’s diverse population, there are so many different things to see and do!

Gabrielle Arons, Sydney Internship

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Gabrielle Australia KangarooInterned in Marketing at fashion retailer The Iconic, Spring 2014

Internship: I interned at The Iconic, an online retail company similar to Asos. The Iconic opened about three years ago and was the first company to bring online shopping to Australia. I primarily worked with the search engine marketing team to support their advertising efforts through campaign management and performance metrics to increase brand exposure. More specifically, I used Google AdWords and Google Analytics to optimize search results and advertising placement.

I Learned: I learned that I could survive without the physical support of my close friends and family in a place completely different than anything I knew. I had never even moved myself into my BU dorm room by myself, and now I was moving myself to another continent. I also learned to be more adventurous! I went scuba diving, bungee jumping, and surfing, among many other adrenaline-filled activities, none of which I would have done had I not gone to Australia.

What Surprised Me: While Australians do speak English, it is a very different English than I expected. A simple task like ordering coffee became a whole new skillset. Considering I chose to study abroad in an English-speaking country, I was surprised to learn that communicating with Australians would be harder than I expected. I was also surprised to see how expensive everything is in Australia. The cost of living is significantly more expensive, and minimum wage is much higher than in the states. So while many Australians make more money than Americans, they also must spend more to live.

Hardest Part: The hardest part of my abroad experience was my internship. I was not completely thrilled with my placement; my boss didn’t have much work for me to do, and some days we didn’t communicate. I had to learn how to adapt to a different work environment and reach out to other employees to make the most of my abroad internship. In the end, I learned a lot about what I wanted in a workplace and about the Australian work culture, all of which is highly valuable work skills to move forward in my career path.

Best Part: The best part of my abroad experience was the fact that I got to live in a country so far away, something that I will never do again. Australia is not an easy place to get to from the states, and the truth is that, for a long time, I will not have the chance to go back. Many Americans never make it to that side of the world. I considered doing a study abroad program in Europe, but decided that I’ve seen many European countries on vacations because it is easy to travel to. An Australian vacation takes much more planning and time because it is hard to travel to. It truly is a once in a lifetime experience.

My Tips: 

  1. Be prepared to spend a lot of money. It’s expensive to live there!
  2. Either bring your own sheets/pillows, or buy them there.
  3. Bring toiletries, and then throw them all out when you come back to the states. It will open a lot of room in your suitcase for souvenirs!
  4. Unlock your iPhone and bring it! You will appreciate having data.
  5. This might seem obvious, but only bring the amount of luggage you can carry by yourself. You’ll have to navigate huge international airports on your own, so make it as easy as possible for yourself to carry luggage.

Bonnie Hong, London Internship—Economics & Finance Track

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London's ChinatownInterned in Marketing and Research at AltAssets, an online financial news website, Spring 2014

Internship: I interned with AltAssets, which is an online financial news website in the private equity and venture capital industry. I was a marketing and research assistant, where my main project consisted of planning the upcoming Limited Partner Summit. My job involved reaching out to potential speakers, preparing logistical matters such as invitations, and finding sponsors for the event. In addition, I was assigned to encourage new and recurring subscriptions for our premium newsletters.

I Learned: From my internship, I was able to learn more about the private equity and venture capital industry and be able to understand how AltAssets’s Limited Partner & General Partner Network was able to connect users to active funds. Throughout this abroad experience, I was truly able to learn how to be a smarter traveler. With time, I wasn’t afraid to go to new places despite of not knowing the language or its transportation system. I knew how to plan for different sights and be able to take advantage of every moment I had abroad.

What Surprised Me: This may be silly, but I remember everyone’s reaction to shopping for groceries. We were all surprised in how quickly the food went bad because markets tend not to use preservatives in their food, and how British people didn’t refrigerate their eggs!

Hardest Part: How fast time flew by! We all wanted to stay during the weekends to experience all of London, but it was just as tempting to want to hop on a flight to explore another part of Europe. With only four short months, I could only plan so many trips before my wallet was crying or, frankly, before I was just too tired from traveling. Planning and preparation was super crucial!

Best Part: The people I met, the places I got to see, and all the food that I got to try. This was my first time in Europe, and I absolutely wouldn’t know how else to remember my experiences than with sharing it with a bunch of my friends abroad!

My Tips:

  • Prepare and plan early for traveling. Knowing what you want to see and do will help use your time more effectively.
  • Check out all the free events! (museums, markets, parks)
  • Book Social Programme events. BU plans a variety of events at a discounted price that are worth checking out.