What inspired you to work for Linguistic Horizons?
The desire to challenge myself and be flexible and creative in my work inspired me to join Linguistic Horizons. Due to my passion for the English language, I decided to pursue a job that would help me develop my skills even further. My new job in an international company, related initially to online research, gave me the chance to virtually and physically travel the world and expand my horizons!
Kihnu Island, Estonia
Why do you do what you do?
One of our internship participants was offered a full-time job by the company she interned through us with. Had she not had this internship, the opportunity to start her career with the company would not have been possible. Having overcome the adversities of interning and settling in a new culture, she now feels ready to handle any challenge. Moments like these are why I do what I do.
What is your favorite part of your job?
I handle students inquiries and do a customized search of placements for our candidates. I love every step of my work, from getting the inquiry and learning preferences to contacting companies and arranging the placements. Above all, the online research is the most fascinating part for me. I have learned about so many incredible business ideas since I started working with Linguistic Horizons! While I enjoy every aspect of the job, receiving feedback from program participants is the most important for me!
Old Town Warsaw, Poland
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Don't rush, take a deep breath, relax and enjoy. Be present. Take fewer pictures, and LOOK around more! Be totally okay with missing certain things. It will give you a reason to come back again. Take risks, challenge yourself and try as many new things as your journey may offer. Make friends on the road.
What makes Linguistic Horizons special?
Not only do we arrange customized internships, meeting all the students' search criteria as closely as possible, but we also offer life-changing language immersion programs. Seeing how happy our students are with their experiences and knowing that their internship will greatly impact their future, makes me very proud of our team. When we manage to arrange a unique internship placement, a student could not have found on their own, I'm extra proud.
What hopes do you have for the future for Linguistic Horizons?
I hope in the nearest future Linguistic Horizons will have more exciting programs and offer lots of valuable experiences for students worldwide! I am looking forward to one of our newest programs that has yet to be announced! Follow us to find out which one I mean! We'll announce the new program opportunities in a couple of months on our social media.
Soomaa Rahvuspark, Estonia
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
To be a competitive professional in any country, in any workplace requires to be a competent individual who has strong problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, the capacity to take into account and understand multiple perspectives, adaptability, appreciates cultural differences, and being aware of globally significant issues. I hope our programs help students develop these skills abroad!
If you could participate on one of your organization's programs, where would you go and what would you do?
Each of our programs is so enticing! It's hard to choose only one. I'd love to go to Spain and learn a new language with our Summer Study Spanish program in La Coruna. I also love everything related to nature; so, I would be most interested in participating in the Nutrition and Natural Medicine program in Peru! Visiting South America and learning about their practices is definitely on my bucket list.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
Traveling is so enriching! It significantly widens our perspectives. Seeing commonalities and celebrating differences in various cultures means learning about your own culture through other ones. Meeting diverse people from other countries and cultures, we shrug off prejudices and see our own issues from different perspectives. You gradually learn to successfully navigate a foreign country, survive in situations with no other choice and embrace the world. You come back more self-confident.
University of Warsaw Library, Roof Garden
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
This means learning about the place I am traveling to. Discovering hidden places. Choosing new experiences, challenging myself. Letting quality be over quantity. Having "Do no harm" mindset. Interacting with locals and learning from them. Enjoying! Keeping a travel journal to keep my memories alive when I am back home.
What qualities in program and host community relations are important to you? (And Linguistic Horizons?)
To me, a program should be affordable, unique and customized, with a strong support system that helps participants become independent, expand worldview and enjoy living in a foreign country. A team made up of positive, open-minded and supportive colleagues that will help our students successfully undergo an internship, gain valuable knowledge and skills and transform their future is crucial. Long-lasting relations with host companies that can beneficially impact all sides seems to be the most important thing.
