Internships

Through my internship, I acquired a combination of hard and soft skills that will be useful to any future career or leadership opportunity I pursue. I developed valuable intercultural communication skills as I had to demonstrate clarity when communicating with my supervisors. I also further developed time management skills as I balanced school and met my internship deadlines. It was incredibly fulfilling to earn the respect of my colleagues and trust from my superiors that allowed me to work on more meaningful projects over time.

Completing my internship validated all that I learned as a linguistics major and motivated me to work harder in school. This real-life scenario with real consequences opened my eyes to the value of being punctual and managing my time in a way that helps me feel prepared for every facet of my day. I know it will be a challenge to adapt to work culture at my future jobs, but this internship prepared me for that by giving me the confidence and patience to improve my craft one day at a time.

With the presence of coronavirus throughout my entire college career, I've faced anxieties about my education and approaching graduation date. Would a career be there when I finally graduate? As a result of my study abroad experience, I realize that college is more than a means to an end; it's a journey where failure and discomfort go hand-in-hand. Now I know I can adjust to an unfamiliar environment, and I'm excited for new experiences to help me grow and understand what I want to do with my education.

My travels spanned eleven countries, and one of my most profound realizations was the significance of embracing the present moment. In every country I visited, I made a conscious effort to engage with the surroundings, savor the sights, and indulge in local cuisine. Study abroad can be daunting, and it presents the opportunity to break free from constraints, forge new connections, and unearth a sense of belonging in unexpected places.

Reflecting on the people I met, the work I was able to produce, and what I learned, it's safe to say that I more than met my goals for my internship.

This internship confirmed my path to law school, focusing on copyright, AI, and entertainment law. My interest in international relations has led me to explore dual graduate degree programs combining international law and foreign service.

During my internship as a creative production intern abroad, I experienced significant personal and professional growth. One of the most impactful areas of growth I experienced was my cultural awareness. Working in a Japanese company required me to adapt to unfamiliar cultural norms such as the importance of hierarchy, which I found challenging as an American. This internship honed my creative skills, expanded my global perspective and taught me the value of adaptability, collaboration and cultural sensitivity.

As a political economy major, my internship offered a rare opportunity to connect academic theory to real-world applications. The hukao system, which restricts rural-to-urban migration and ties access to social services, exemplifies the political economy of resource allocation (determining who receives resources and by what mechanisms). This systemic inequality particularly impacts education, a critical component of upward mobility, by denying migrant children access to quality public schools in rural areas. This experience illuminated the tangible consequences of those policies and showed me firsthand how resource distribution disparities perpetuate inequality cycles.

While studying abroad, I participated as a marketing intern for Ethiopian Airlines in their Seoul office, where the most important lesson I learned was teamwork and the value of coworker relationships. The communication skills I gained will be used in any career I pursue. 

An important skill I learned through my internship was adaptability. My internship was in a country that I'd never been to and knew very little about. I began the internship only days after moving across the world and had to learn the slang and standard work practices quickly to assimilate. I can apply this skill in any situation in the future because there will always be something new to learn, and the key to success is how you react to change.

One aspect of teaching I hadn't expected was dealing with uncertainty and developing improvisational skills. Students would sometimes ask questions I hadn't prepared for or couldn't entirely answer. At times, the class wouldn't be as engaged as I'd like. These experiences informed my ability to adapt and find a way to modify my communication in a way that could engage the students. I have intentions to continue teaching as a TA, and feel my ability to synthesize a lesson and hold meaningful discussions will greatly benefit my future. Not only that, but for the rest of my life, I will be on better footing to handle situations that deal with ambiguity or uncertainty. Regardless of my future career, I will be able to adapt and communicate in a way that informs and inspires.

After an intense but rewarding two months abroad, I am confident in my career aspirations. This experience solidified my desire to work at the intersection of technology and consulting to leverage my data processing and strategic communication skills.

Before this internship, I had an idea of pursuing community health development, but I didn't understand the larger scope of this work. My time in Thailand has cemented my passion for global community health, particularly in aging services. Working in direct contact with local communities while managing the cultural and linguistic challenges made me realize the importance of customizing healthcare initiatives for distinct populations.

This internship brought my STEM textbooks to life in ways I'd never experienced at UCSB. Working hands-on with devices and collaborating with their creators showed me how scientific concepts evolve into real-world applications. I'm grateful for the opportunity to use my science background while expanding into new areas of STEM.

This internship solidified my UI/UX design career aspirations. Working on real projects taught me to navigate design challenges, collaborate across teams, and incorporate user feedback effectively. The fast-paced environment confirmed my passion for creating user-friendly solutions, while the cycle of ideation, prototyping, and iteration showed me how to balance user needs with business goals. This experience reinforced my commitment to problem-solving through design and the value of adaptability.

This internship taught me the power of human connection and the significance of human dignity. I built strong friendships and connections with the people at the Hope Exchange, but most of all, had realizations and inspiring moments about my life purpose. I developed deeper patience, empathy, and kindness. Ultimately, my experience brought me greater interpersonal and cross-cultural communications skills, growth in my event coordinating skills, insight into the legal system in South Africa, and a greater awareness about my career path in community-based policy advocacy and social work. I learned that any substantial institutional change is difficult and direct community change is challenging, but equally rewarding as I was able to directly see the impact of my work.

This internship connected directly to my major by giving me hands-on experience in creative storytelling. It taught me valuable skills beyond my degree that will be useful in the future—like filming in various locations and improving my editing skills. It’s given me a head start in building practical skills I’ll use in my career

Like many undergraduates—even those who seem to have it all figured out—I wasn't completely sure what my career aspirations were before studying abroad. However, my internship transformed that uncertainty into clarity. I woke up every day with a fire in my belly, loving the work and learning from every experience, even the challenging ones.

The five months I spent in Bangkok were life-changing, and I have the internship to thank for so many unique opportunities. As I transition to working life after college, I'm grateful I had the opportunity to work in a government office, adapt to a new culture and language, and discover that work is so much more than the projects you are assigned. I know the lessons I learned here, and the friendships I forged, will stay with me for the rest of my life!

While I'd previously considered a career in healthcare, this internship showed me that my true passion lies in combining healthcare with community education and empowerment. This experience confirmed that I want to continue working in this field, focusing on building sustainable programs that support marginalized communities.

I left Sciences Po in May with a semester of economics experience through a focused internship under my belt. I also know the ins and outs of Paris and have lifelong friendships reaching across the world.

My internship journey with Raishma in London allowed me to be creative, accountable, and embrace a global perspective. My experience strengthened my passion for marketing, creating confidence in my autonomy and resilience through learning from mistakes.

This internship opportunity was the perfect fit! Through the experience, I applied the skills and strategies learned in my marketing and political science courses to real-world scenarios—analyzing target marketing, developing sales strategies, and effectively positioning products for varying consumer bases. This hands-on experience reinforced my passion for global business and strengthened my ability to navigate international markets.

Throughout my internship, I developed better research skills. Because I was marketing to a different culture, I had to understand the audience first and go deeper with my research. Another skill I developed was my professional communication. This was my first office experience, and I was communicating with coworkers of a different culture, so I made sure to ask for clarification to avoid misunderstandings. I believe this is a very important skill because it reflects my ability and willingness to work in a team and effectively communicate with others.

Before this internship, I'd taken on leadership roles, but leading the business team showed me what true leadership means. I learned that a leader isn't the main piece of the puzzle, but rather a force that drives momentum forward. Through shared successes and mistakes, I transformed from a nervous, timid person into someone whose positive attitude energized the whole team.

This internship at the Barun ICT research center sparked my curiosity in AI and gave me valuable confidence for my future in software engineering. Coming in with no AI experience and leaving with both practical knowledge and published works feels incredible

This internship experience provided insight into how older adults perceive and address cognitive aging, which resonated with me on a personal level, as a family member has early-onset Alzheimer's. Given that social isolation is a significant risk factor for cognitive decline, I was intrigued by how interpersonal connections can be a neuroprotective strategy.  Having studied public health in Los Angeles, I now recognize that age-related cognitive decline is not only a neurological issue but a multidimensional challenge, and addressing it effectively requires collaboration between healthcare systems, policy makers, and community initiatives. 

My internship showed me that I am capable of learning challenging tools and technologies on my own. While I struggled at times, it gave me the opportunity to learn about a technology I had been afraid to learn alone.

This internship connected deeply with my major, and the project topic aligns with my studies in ecology and my interest in understanding how organisms interact with the built environment. I was able to apply previous coursework in biology and environmental analysis to conceptualize the influence of population density and prospective land use. While working on the project, I collaborated with experts in entomology, and I was able to merge my academic knowledge of ecosystems with practical skills of geospatial mapping and data management. The confidence and skills have advanced my ability to interpret complex maps and my understanding of urban ecology's influence on biodiversity, which will aid my studies as I continue to explore my interest in how humans shape and influence biodiversity.

Before interning abroad, I never seriously considered international journalism as something I was cut out for. The four months I spent in Italy, buzzing myself in through the courtyard and waiting behind the wobbly desk for my next story, contained the most valuable experiences I’ve ever had. I doubt the growth and independence I found would have been possible without leaving America and diving headfirst into Italian journalism.

My internship was an enriching experience that greatly contributed to my understanding of the global workspace. It provided me with the tools to continue to build cross-cultural solidarity in my future career prospects. 

Learning about startup culture and the work ethic, determination, and motivation required to succeed has given me a greater appreciation for those who embark on this journey. Each challenge and solution taught me a new strategy to take on similar problems. I feel even more prepared and motivated to take on the business world and any challenges that come my way in my future. The international lens of my internship and skills working in a cross-cultural environment has taught me to be a better team player and citizen of the world. Without a doubt, I will always look back at this experience as the starting point for my professional career.

During my internship, I harnessed specific hard skills that I will use for the rest of my undergraduate and professional career. I also developed a multitude of soft skills, including critical thinking, creative problem solving and time management. Balancing the exciting newness of exploring a new city and country while maintaining academic responsibility has helped me develop worthwhile habits.

This internship affirmed my path in wellness, global health, and sustainability. Working with South African farmers, foragers, artists, and activists showed me how systemic inequities affect health outcomes and the power of community-led, traditional solutions. It inspired my commitment to empowering underserved populations through education and resource access.

Through my internship, I learned how to deliver an advertising pitch effectively, including how to add small tips to make the pitch more charismatic. I plan to use this skill in the future, as it's important to communicate and present information effectively in any career field. It's especially important in the marketing and user experience fields where I could need to explain my ideas and decisions confidently.

My internship was the perfect fit because it aligned my academics as well as my career goals. I was able to apply what I was learning in class like how to avoid being gender biased in the activities and lessons I planned for my students. I have always wanted a future in education and this internship gave me more experience working with students and with lesson planning. It also broadened my career path by making working with nonprofit organizations an option for me.

I had a wonderful time at Dreamfora as a software engineer intern. My role was to oversee the backend infrastructure and set up the testing module for our development team. I learned a lot about industry standards and tools that help run present-day applications. Much of this experience can't be gained in a classroom and it was extremely beneficial for me. Having the chance to intern in a Korean startup was also culturally enriching and I would highly recommend it.

It was almost dreamlike going to work every day in the Irish Parliament. With my all-access badge to Leinster House, I walked the historic halls and even had a chance encounter with Taoiseach Simon Harris in the canteen! I was fortunate to work with MP Cormac Devlin, and the office's warm Irish humor made every day exciting. Going from reading about the Dáil's first sitting to actually sitting in the chamber the next day was surreal. I woke up every day excited to go to work and left with a big smile on my face.

This internship enhanced both my professional toolkit—from project coordination to data-driven decision-making—and my cultural adaptability. I evolved from hesitating to speak in meetings to confidently contributing ideas, confirming my passion for Project and Product Management. The experience showed me I thrive in strategic, collaborative roles while teaching me the value of continuous learning.

My internship improved my self-confidence. Becoming one who can face people and speak what's on my mind is something I attribute to my internship and experience studying abroad. Filming requires a lot of coordination between people with different tasks in production, and communicating confidently will apply to any job throughout my career.

As a transfer student, I wasn't sure I could participate in a study abroad program during my short time at Berkeley. After signing up for the Peace Corps Prep Program offered through UCEAP, I learned all students—including transfer students—are encouraged to study abroad. I chose the global internship program because it was an excellent opportunity to get my first internship experience while fulfilling one of the Peace Corps prep requirements and visiting a country I'd never seen before. Everything aligned perfectly.

My career goal is to become a pediatric oncologist, and I had the privilege of teaching 9- and 10-year-olds English while studying abroad in Italy. Learning to communicate with children will be essential to my future career, and the opportunity to teach, interact, and learn from Italian children was the most enriching and influential experience of my time abroad. 

My internship in Thailand reshaped my understanding of global business opportunities. Working where English isn't the primary language taught me to adapt my communication style and connect meaningfully across cultural and language barriers.

During my internship, I was able to help my students obtain higher levels of fluency and conversational skills. And in turn, my students gave me a new understanding of Spanish culture, making my time in Spain that much more meaningful and significant. 

Beyond developing technical skills for my future data science career, I learned the crucial art of presenting complex findings clearly. When sharing my analysis with colleagues, I discovered that being a data scientist isn't just about analyzing data—it's about making insights accessible and actionable for team members from all backgrounds.

As a pre-med major, I am accustomed to hearing my peers discuss what type of doctor they want to become, and I assumed I would follow the same path and work as a direct care provider. My internship taught me about the integration of artificial intelligence in healthcare and opened my eyes to the variety of opportunities in the medical industry. While this experience confirmed my passion for healthcare and patient care, I am now open to exploring roles that allow me to contribute from a broader, more technological perspective.

My internship enhanced my professional toolkit by strengthening my analytical capabilities—from evaluating investments and identifying market trends to preparing strategic communications for data rooms. On a personal level, working under tight deadlines with diverse teams taught me adaptability and resilience, while leading initiatives boosted my confidence in fast-paced environments.

Beyond allowing me to improve my research, writing, and editing skills, my internship improved my professional confidence immensely. While I expected to enjoy working in parliament, I did not predict how much impact this work would have on my future career goals. I was set on attending law school after graduation, and I was able to reflect and recognize that there are many other political careers I hadn't considered. After my experience, I've developed a strong interest in pursuing a career in speech writing or policy research. More than the professional development, I was reminded of the awe-inspiring power that elected representatives are given and how that power, when used correctly, can make the world a more peaceful and equitable place.

My experience working abroad allowed me to gain leadership skills, grow professionally and personally. It helped me center which fields of sustainability I would like to explore. It was one of the highlights of study abroad and I wouldn't change even a moment of the experience.

The most influential portion of my internship was the time I spent in Sri Lanka. It was a truly immersive experience, one that came with its own set of challenges but resulted in a huge jump in personal growth. Every new experience and responsibility grew my involvement and competence that much more. By the end, I realized a huge shift in my confidence.

The internship allowed me not only to work on a technically sophisticated and life-changing project; it also exposed me to the working world of Korea. It was an entirely unique experience I never would have had otherwise.

My internship added to my academic coursework and strongly influenced my career plans. I found that I genuinely enjoy participating in research. I was intrigued while analyzing public campaigns and how they could be improved. I found the work very rewarding, and I've decided to pursue it in the future and work at a research institute.

My experience as an English conversational leader has been among the most rewarding opportunities during my time abroad in Spain. My greatest lesson through this experience is that mistakes and obstacles are valuable teaching tools. In my own life, I have struggled with the stigma of mistakes, but through this experience, it's apparent that mistakes are essential for personal growth. Moving forward, I will incorporate the compassion, understanding, and leadership skills I gathered from this experience into my own life.

My internship abroad was the culmination of all my academic coursework. It stressed the importance of future classes I will take and gave me the opportunity to see the range of different bioengineering specialties that exist within the medical device industry. While not without its challenges, the catalyst landed me a return offer and a position at the company! I grew mentally and emotionally and became a stronger individual. It was an incredible experience, and I'm excited to develop my career at Boston Scientific.

I gained real-world experience on this internship, and I feel more confident in my abilities and the application of those skills. I feel more adult, having finally experienced a job and seeing how others work and communicate with each other. As a result of this internship, I have a better understanding of what I want out of my future career. I cannot say enough good things about the people I worked with; everyone was dedicated, open, compassionate, and intelligent. It was genuinely a joy to go to meetings with the feeling that my ideas would be heard and that I could impact the conversation for the better.

Standing in front of a class and teaching in Spanish for an hour was a great way to improve my language level and increase my confidence. I also gained more clarity on the roles and responsibilities of a teacher. To experience the dynamics of a classroom was a goal I was able to achieve through my internship abroad.

Truthfully, I was looking for another excuse to go abroad. It's no secret to students pursuing jobs in tech that the summer of your junior year is critical for getting an internship to make the post-graduation an easier time. As a cognitive science major with a double minor in computing and data science engineering, a summer in Yonsei was the best of both worlds: an engineering internship and experience abroad!

As a political science and international studies major, working inside another nation's parliament was an opportunity I never imagined possible. My first day in Leinster House was pure awe—from the Seanad's chandeliers to the historic halls. As a first-generation Latina, walking those corridors showed me I'm truly beginning to realize my dream of making a difference through politics.

In terms of career development, this internship gave me plenty of insight for my future taking into consideration both of my degrees. It gave me the experience to be successful and broadened the employment opportunities available to me upon graduation. I know from my experience that I can choose to work in the communication field immediately out of college. Not only did this internship allow me to apply what I learned in classes, it also allowed me to develop professional skills for any career.

By the last week of my internship, I was confident enough to speak at a small business networking event. I'm excited to take this mentality forward and to be able to act with confidence in future events and interviews in professional settings.

My time at St. Andrews not only confirmed my desire to become a teacher but also provided valuable experience for my graduate school applications.

The opportunity to study abroad and intern in Germany was a dream come true. I learned valuable skills that opened my eyes to creating connections with people, and I learned how to conduct myself in a professional environment. I made so many new friends and memories – it will always be an experience I cherish.

This internship has given me a head start in familiarity with the tools I will encounter in my future career. I learned to be an efficient and independent worker and how to research rather than rely on others to answer questions about my work. I also learned to be accountable with my work by developing a mindset centered on work-life balance.

The professional and academic skills I developed from working abroad have positively impacted my career path, and will continue to do so. I had a unique, constructive internship experience in Australia. My study abroad experience would have been incomplete without it.

My internship abroad was helpful for me in discovering what I like in a workplace and what I don't. I now better understand my goals and what I must do to acclimate and feel comfortable in new positions after graduation. Likely, I will never work in another country again, so observing the work-life balance and values of workers in Singapore was interesting. It made me value work-life balance even more than before I studied abroad.

This internship solidified my belief in the power of journalism to uncover truths from overlooked regions and deepened my desire to become an international correspondent, driven by my conviction that what happens in one part of the world profoundly impacts others.

My internship was really inspiring and made me feel like I could change my community. I wanted it to give me a sense of what it meant to be a citizen of the world and explore the many cultures that Berlin has to offer, and it did. I knew Berlin was a diverse city from my research, but I didn’t know the extent until I arrived. Since everyone at my internship was from a different place, I was able to learn why different people move to Berlin, what they liked about it, and how the startup world has affected the dynamics of living in a city like Berlin. I learned what it's like to be in a culturally and ethnically diverse work environment. I am forever grateful for the experiences I had abroad and will take the memories I made with me for the rest of my life.

My architecture internship in London launched me into a global network of researchers and artists aimed at making spaces in alternative ways. I am very grateful for this opportunity, which would have been impossible without my proximity to the Floating University that UCEAP allowed.

My internship confirmed my interest in a career in software development, specifically mobile app development and backend work. It deepened my understanding of what it takes to build functional, user-friendly software, and I loved the challenge. At the same time, it opened my eyes to the importance of working with multidisciplinary teams and understanding different perspectives to find solutions. This experience made me more interested in combining my technical skills with communication and collaboration skills, which I hadn't fully considered before.

The most valuable skill I learned from interning at Shizenkan is the importance of being open-minded. Retaining a sense of open-mindedness communicates humility, and can lead one to a treasure box of opportunities.

This internship opened my eyes to the ways fieldwork can be incorporated into ecological research. During my time in this position, I participated in rewarding work with native wallabies, walked through eucalyptus forests collecting data, and analyzed incredible images of native fauna like the echidna. My desire to dedicate my future career to ecological restoration and the development of a sustainable coexistence between humans and nature has not altered; however, I am now open to a career in ecological research, which was something I hadn't considered before my time abroad.

This internship allowed me to interact with an international community of people who are just as passionate about international relations as I am. I could ask the questions I've long had and learn more about events that I typically don't hear from American news outlets. Being in this environment propelled my passion for the field, and it was the push I needed to realize my goals. 

My internship experience reinforced my core values and career plan. I have interacted with many people, professionals, and instructors – a support community. Consequently, I have acquired power attributes like belonging, interdependence, and unity. I also understand the importance and value of trusting and respecting others. The value of community is in guided listening, serving, and meeting people's needs – priceless skills that I will apply to my future.

Working in a professional setting in another country is eye opening in terms of being able to explore different environments and how they function. I now have some background interacting and communicating with professionals in another country and language. I am inspired to pursue opportunities that involve working with the language learning process and I am looking forward to applying this direction to my career path.

The biggest lesson I learned was to always remember why we do what we do. I learned that we do not send a hundred emails or struggle with contracts simply because it's work. We have a responsibility and the work we do actually affects peoples' lives. I came to realize this as everyone in the office was incredibly professional yet also encouraging and intentional with each other. Ultimately, working for Hyundai Corporation was a precious opportunity to speak Korean and understand a different approach to academics, career, and life.

My work placement at ArtExplora in London was a valuable experience that allowed me gain insight into an international arts foundation, as well as identify and develop my strengths, transferable skills, and areas to improve upon.

My UCEAP internship taught me the value of language immersion and has inspired me to work for an intercultural exchange organization in my future career. My French improved drastically and being in an immersive professional setting played a huge role in that improvement. My experience left me with soft skills such as active listening, adaptability, and cross-cultural communication. Through hard work and perseverance, I gained the hard skill of foreign language proficiency in French and I am more excited than ever for life after UCSB. I am confident that I can contribute in meaningful ways to my future workplace, regardless of whether it is abroad or domestic.

My internship abroad opened my eyes to the world of digital marketing in various cultural contexts. I'm grateful for the technical skills I acquired as well as the life lessons I learned. This internship added a more intimate and immersive aspect to my time abroad that I will forever cherish.

I found the Korean workplace intensive and yet very reliant on colleague relations. Being the only culturally American team member during work was one thing, and switching identities from professional and respectful in the office to relaxed and conversational over a Korean barbecue lunch taught me valuable interpersonal skills. After a week or two, I came out of my shell and felt more natural at team lunches while maintaining professionalism during work hours.

As a software engineering intern, I worked closely with my supervisor on the development of applications for clients, generating technical documentation, and project structure analysis. These tasks allowed me to gain hands-on experience with web and mobile applications and explore different data or computer scientist roles. I also had the chance to hold discussions with other students interning in various countries, sharing our challenges and noticeable differences in the culture of each workplace.

This internship gave me profound insight into Chinese work culture, helping me understand my parents' professional lives in China—from navigating workplace hierarchies to balancing work-life boundaries in a culture where they're deeply intertwined. This firsthand experience not only strengthened my cultural roots but also prepared me for a career in international relations, where such cultural understanding is essential.

This was my first time working in an all-Spanish environment, and I had some difficult times. I'm grateful I was able to push through the challenges because it allowed me to advance my Spanish skills and reminded me that there will be times in my professional development when there are challenges to overcome.