Intern in France with World Endeavors

I was hoping to improve my French and to gain experience toward the goal of discovering what I want to do with a future career and I found both of those goals fulfilled through this process. I also gained so much more than I expected from cultural experiences to friendships to travel and beyond.

I enjoyed my time at Habitat et Humanisme very much and I have met many amazing people including workmates and residents however I assumed as an intern I would have a responsibility or a small role to play within the organization but I did find there was not a lot for me to do aside from socialise with the residents and I was more of a volunteer. Although I do not regret participating in this program at all, I do believe that it was a lot of money for the final product. If I were to do it again or recommend it, there are many ways I could have organised this myself for a lot less money... for example, the French classes were very overpriced for what was delivered and the afternoon "online workshop" classes were not productive. Also to register as a volunteer at the organization I interned with only costs €15. I love this experience and although I would not use World Endeavors again, I very much appreciated being able to just walk into France not having to worry about accomadation or organising anything for myself, it was all done for me :)

It was a fulfilling experience because I got the opportunity to live abroad, get immersed in a new culture and language, to travel, to meet new people and overall to be an intern in a french organization that welcomed me with open arms. I feel like I really improved my french by living in a very welcoming host family and on a daily basis. I think there is something you could improve on where it comes to the interviews and "choosing" the internship. I didn't have any problems with the organization that I worked with, but before this organization I got an interview with another organization that I didn't like at all. I feel it would be best if the intern is given a variety of options of where to work in (since it is only for experience I feel like the intern should choose where to work). I thought that it was going to be like that but I didn't get any choosing. Gladly, I liked the second organization that was offered, but the in-country coordinator told me that if I were accepted (into the first organization that I didn't like) I would have had to accept. Another remark would be that I received the confirmation of the interviews one day before, leaving me a bit surprised and unprepared. Two days of anticipation wouldn't have been bad.

I was really hoping to get hands on interior design experience. the role was at an architecture agency, doing communication, logistics, and development. I don't regret the experience, but I know about as much about interior design as I did before, and it was an expensive internship for not having learned much about my desired career. I took photos, once, of an interior design project, because I asked to get involved, and the photos were used by nobody. It is helpful towards my career that I can add this job to my resume, but creatively I've learned very little.

I learned a lot about how social work functions in France. I gained personal experience working with a non profit organization that helps low income people obtain housing. I wanted to learn more about the subject as a whole, work with people, and improve my French and I did all three of those things.

My 2 goals in the program was to learn French and have the experience of completing an internship. Well, my level of French is intermediate at least B1 and the internship was fulfilling. I had been highly active both in class and in my internship so it was time well-spent.

I had a wonderful experience at my internship with World Endevaors in France. I got first hand experience with integrating people from different cultures into France and I built long lasting relationships.

World Endeavors is so good as an organization because they are very quick to respond and their responses are helpful. I cannot say the same for other organizations.

My program with World Endeavors, so far, has been very easy going. The team has provided me with much information to help me prepare, arrive, and adjust to France.