Last Updated on March 3, 2020 by AIFS Abroad
We caught up with Hannah S., an AIFS Study Abroad in Prague, Czech Republic student from Rhodes College. Hannah is currently partaking in our Study Abroad + Internship program opportunity. Learn more about Hannah’s experience doing an internship in Prague while taking classes:
Why did you decide to do an internship abroad?
I made the decision to pursue an internship abroad because of my major. At my home university I am an international business major, so the opportunity to work in an international work setting was something that I could not pass up.
Why did you choose Prague, Czech Republic as your Study Abroad + Internship program location?
I chose to study abroad in Prague because I wanted to do something different than what most of my peers were doing. I did not know of many people that had studied in Prague. I didn’t select Prague because of the internship component; it just happened to be an added bonus. I realized that with Prague I would have the ability to truly experience everything that the city has to offer, and, as my time abroad draws to close, I can definitely attest to this being true.
What field is your internship in? How does it connect (if at all) to your major at your home university?
As mentioned previously, I am an international business major, so my internship directly correlates to my studies. During my internship I have been working as an International Promotion Specialist with the Partner Relations team at a sports-related business. The Partner Relations team is a subset of the marketing department that manages brand partnerships. Through this internship and the company’s strategic brand partnerships I have gained exposure to a whole new side of marketing. Additionally, I have witnessed the process of securing cross-cultural partnerships.
Tell us about a typical day-in-the-life as an intern in Prague who is also taking classes.
On the days that I have my internship, I either have class in the remaining part of the day or I do not have much going on, so I dedicate this time to writing about my internship experience or exploring Prague. When I am in not in classes or at my internship, I might be sitting in a cafe working on some homework, grocery shopping, going to explore a new area of Prague, going to a museum, or hanging out with friends. It really depends on the day. That’s part of what makes this experience so unique. I know that if I was at my home university, I would not have used an afternoon off from classes to go explore a museum or new area. At home, I have a much tighter schedule, but now, if a colleague from my internship gives me a recommendation for a new restaurant or a place to visit, then I have enough time to go.
What have you learned personally and professionally from this Study Abroad + Internship experience so far?
Personally and professionally, I have learned more about what type of work environment suits me best based on my personality and working styles, and what I hope to get out of my future work environments on a day-to-day basis.
Would you recommend this type of program to other students? If so, why?
I would recommend this internship program to anyone who genuinely enjoys getting to know other people and learning about different backgrounds and cultures. Everyone that I met throughout the internship has been extremely welcoming and excited to share their culture with me, as well as learn about my background.
