{"id":1778,"date":"2014-02-13T17:11:56","date_gmt":"2014-02-13T22:11:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/questromworld.bu.edu\/studyabroad\/?p=1778"},"modified":"2022-10-11T20:09:02","modified_gmt":"2022-10-11T20:09:02","slug":"kate-walsh-paris-internship-and-geneva-london-international-conflict-resolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/questromworld.bu.edu\/studyabroad\/2014\/02\/13\/kate-walsh-paris-internship-and-geneva-london-international-conflict-resolution\/","title":{"rendered":"Kate Walsh, Paris Internship and Geneva & London International Conflict Resolution"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"London\"<\/a>Interned for a small, French management-consulting firm in Paris, Spring 2013.\u00a0Also studied International Conflict Resolution Program in Geneva & London\u00a0during Summer 2013.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I Learned:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>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.<\/p>\n

I also learned that when all else fails: charades.<\/p>\n

Comparing\/Contrasting My Work Experiences:\u00a0<\/b>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. \u00a0I’ve really only worked with small businesses, but my experiences with coworkers have been extremely positive in both France and America. \u00a0Side 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!<\/p>\n

Hardest Part:\u00a0<\/strong>Once I was accused of stealing an apple from Monoprix (basically the French Target) by an over-zealous security guard. It was traumatizing.<\/p>\n

Best Part:\u00a0<\/strong>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!<\/p>\n\n\t\t