Alumni Interview with Emily Parker

What inspired you to go abroad?

I had previously been abroad for the first time in summer of 2017 with my university. I really felt that I needed to experience and see more abroad, and had always had the desire to spend some time living abroad.

Why did you choose Global Experience?

I chose Global Experience because they could guarantee me an internship in my selected field.

What was your favorite part about London?

My favorite part about London was living in Central London with so much access to everything happening in the city.

What made your experience abroad unique?

Working in one of the leading broadcasting consultancies in the UK and having the chance to meet major spokespeople was pretty unique.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The local staff was there to offer help and advice whenever something came up that I didn't want to handle alone.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish I had more days off from work, or perhaps a few half days scheduled where I had more opportunity to explore the city during the weeknights, as opposed to just the weekends. Most weeknights I stayed in as I always had an early and full day of work ahead.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

My typical day started at 6:00 a.m.. I would get in a quick workout at the gym facilities at my housing complex. I left around 8:00 a.m. for my internship that started at 9:00 a.m. (sometimes 8:45 a.m.).

I worked on the media team, ringing and securing radio coverage for our client spokespeople and their radio campaigns. I also did various administrative work for the media team, assisted with research, and had a chance to work with social, marketing, and event coordinating.

My work day typically ended around 5:30 p.m.. I would sometimes grab a drink or two with coworkers after work and then go home for dinner and a relaxed night! I kept up with the city events going on to make sure I was able to go to all of the events that I was interested in that were happening during the week.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

I really love to get out and explore cities. I obviously had to hit all of the "tourist" spots, which I love for their history. Then I spent a lot of my time trying new foods and visiting more local venues. I was really trying to feel as though I had really "done London," experiencing it for all it had to offer (which is a LOT)!

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

My accommodation was dorm/student living which included a lot of the negative associations that you would expect about dorm life and shared living - but hey, we got through it! What I liked best about it was that my bedroom and bathroom were private and I could enjoy my privacy and have alone time when I wanted it.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Every participant should know that it isn't as scary as it seems to go to an unknown city and make it your own! Once you get out there you will flourish.

What was the hardest part about doing an internship abroad?

The hardest part about doing an internship abroad was finding the balance between work and play. There was sometimes a struggle trying to find the balance between working a full time job and getting enough sleep and rest, but also feeling like I was getting out and seeing enough of my new city.

What surprised you most about London?

What surprised me most about London was how busy/crowded it actually is. Part of it reminds me a bit of Los Angeles. It takes quite a bit of time to get around the city.

What is one thing you wish you would have known before doing an internship abroad in the United Kingdom?

One thing I wish I would have known before doing an internship abroad in the UK is how expensive the cost of living in London is. I was given an idea of how much things would cost weekly/monthly, but it was far more expensive than I expected.

If you could go abroad again, where would you go?

The next time I go abroad, I would like to go somewhere new that I haven't been yet. I'm thinking maybe Spain!

What do you feel the biggest benefit of doing an internship abroad is?

I feel the biggest benefit of doing an internship abroad is learning more about yourself as an individual. Learning how you handle situations, learning what you do and don't like, both about new places and about your career.

Do you have any packing tips for individuals headed to London?

Pack warm - but don't expect it to be overly cold. I packed lots and lots of sweaters, coats, jackets, pants, etc. that did come in handy but when April came around (I got there in January). I found myself not having enough lighter options.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

Every time that I have spent a lengthy time away from home, especially abroad, I come back seeing and experiencing "home" differently. Living away from your norm and learning new culture really changes the way you see and feel about your country/city once you are back.

You appreciate things you may not have before, and for me, my curiosity and willingness to say yes to change or new things has spiked!

Would you recommend going abroad to others? Why?

Yes. I feel so, so strong about going and living abroad. You learn and grow as an individual in a way that you simply can't at home. You are pushed, you are challenged, you are tested, in the most positive of ways.