Alumni Interview with Erin Sastre

What inspired you to travel abroad?

I was inspired to go abroad by my mother. I had always known I wanted to study abroad, but I didn't think it was financially feasible. I have always been in love with London and all things British since I was a child, but I didn't think I'd actually be able to study and work there. It wasn't until before my junior year that my mom and I finally sat down to talk things over regarding going abroad. She realized how great of an experience it would be for me, so she actually printed out my application and told me I was going. I was overjoyed that I had the opportunity to go abroad and see some of the things she did when she was my age.

Why did you choose CAPA The Global Education Network?

I have always been obsessed with British culture and London life, so I decided to look into programs where I could gain intern experience while being in a city that I loved. I love traveling and exploring, so I knew that going abroad would be such a great experience. I decided to look into programs in my sophomore year and I specifically wanted to be based in a European city so I could easily travel around. My mom was also one of my biggest drivers in going abroad because she knew how great it would be for me. I chose to study with CAPA because their study and intern abroad program checked all of my boxes!

What was your favorite part about London, England?

My favorite part about my host city was how big it was, so something was always happening in some part of the city. I could go to an art gallery during the day in Kensington, then I could take the tube to a concert in Shepherd's Bush at night. I was never bored of exploring and I loved how that exploration didn't stop during classes. We were able to go on field trips to significant cultural or historical locations throughout England instead of having lectures some days. It was great to be able to learn about something and then actually go see and experience it.

What made your experience abroad extraordinary?

My trip abroad was extraordinary because of my internship experience. If I didn't choose CAPA, I wouldn't have had such an amazing placement. I'm very interested in film and marketing, so CAPA was able to bridge the gap and place me at the UK's largest independent film festival where I worked alongside the marketing team. I was able to do so much at my placement, such as taking over their social accounts and writing several blogs, which enabled me to sharpen my skills. I was even able to take film courses taught by experienced filmmakers who worked at the BBC or produced award-winning films.

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program?

The staff at CAPA were so amazing. They knew how to help us with any questions or concerns we had. They had a great orientation day for us in which they explained how the internships may differ from those in the US and how to get in touch if there was ever an issue. They really cared about how we were feeling and what we were gaining from the whole experience. I can't imagine going abroad and not having the support of such an amazing team of people. They were really helpful and seemed to genuinely care.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad?

One thing I wish I would've done differently abroad was to go on more of the planned excursions through CAPA and their travel partner. I was able to travel a lot on my own, yes, but I missed out on the opportunity to go to Paris with the rest of my classmates because I didn't want to spend the money. Eventually, I ended up spending the same amount to go anyway, so I wish I would have taken advantage of the trip they had planned out for us. It would've been another bonding experience that I could've had.

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like.

A typical day abroad for me included walking to the tube station. Whether I was going to my internship or class, I always took the tube as it was the most convenient way to get around the city. For my internship days, I'd work from 10am to 6pm with an hour break for lunch around 1pm. Because I worked off of The Strand and was so close to the West End, I would often go to the discount ticket stand after work to see if I could get cheap tickets to a show. I could usually get a decent seat to a show that night for less than $50. If I didn't see a show, I'd go home and cook dinner before going up to my friend's apartment to hang out!

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad?

During my free time, I loved to visit museums and see plays or musicals. I just wanted to take in as much of the culture, music, and art as I could while I was there. Since London is such a big and diverse city that is rich in entertainment options, I felt completely at home. On nice days, my friends and I would look at a map of the city and pick a random borough to walk around and explore. We just wanted to see as much as we could during our time there, so it was a goal of ours to not repeat places unless we absolutely loved them.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it?

During my time in London, I shared a flat or apartment with two other girls. We shared a bedroom and bathroom, but there was also a decent-sized living area with a balcony and a full kitchen. While the apartment itself was nothing super fancy, the location couldn't be topped. We lived right in the heart of Camden Town, a northern borough known for its nightlife and edginess. It was a super young area with so much to do and see. We live right across from a Sainsbury market so we didn't have to go far for groceries. We also lived less than a three-minute walk away from the nearest tube station, so it was always easy to get around.

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins?

One thing every future participant should know before the program begins is that it is going to be the best fiveish months of their lives! If you go into it with a positive attitude, then your experience will reflect that. It can be challenging to get acclimated and you may feel a bit homesick at first, but the friends you meet abroad quickly become your family. You guys will become so close and they will be some of the best friends you make in life. Before the program is even over, you'll be planning when to visit them or when to have a reunion in your host city!

Would you recommend your program/provider to others? Why?

I would 100 percent recommend this program to others because it is such a rewarding experience. From the amazing internship opportunities to the teaching staff, CAPA really covers everything. They help if there are any issues, provide great recommendations for what to do/see, and so much more. This program really gives you everything you could ask for because you gain professional, educational, and cultural experience. Not only does interning abroad look amazing on a resume, but it also gives you insight into what you may want to do or where you want to be in the future.

What do you feel is the biggest benefit of traveling abroad?

The biggest benefit of traveling abroad is experiencing things you can't at home. I was able to see and do so much during my time abroad that I couldn't see or do back in the US. From meeting one of the most famous street artists in London to interviewing an Oscar-winning screenwriter, studying in London allowed me to do things I never thought I could or would. Just being in such a global city and being able to surround myself with so many different people was amazing and made me realize that I want to keep seeing the world.

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

Now that I'm home, being abroad made me realize that I want to travel more. Because I'm about to graduate, I wanted to see if there was a way for me to continue to explore the world. In making it a priority, I actually found a job that allows me to be a PR and Marketing firm on wheels, so I'll be traveling the US for a year. Being abroad showed me that I value knowledge and learning more about the world through experience. I know that my time abroad will impact me and my decisions for the rest of my life.

What does meaningful travel mean to you?

Meaningful travel to me is not just seeing, it's about doing. I want to learn more about places by experiencing them. I feel as though I thrive when I'm able to spend a good amount of time in a city or country. I like to immerse myself in a new way of life rather than just seeing it for a day or two and then leaving. Meaningful travel is being able to really understand what your impact is as well. It's important to show appreciation and a willingness to learn about cultures and history in order to benefit from any travel.