Eager to follow in the footsteps of a college student who interned abroad in England? We recently caught up with AIFS Abroad participant Katelyn from Ball State University, who spent her summer as a theater intern abroad in the thespian city of London.
Discover how Katelyn’s internship in London with AIFS Abroad helped her develop valuable skills and make new friends abroad.
Choosing When & Where to Intern Abroad
Deciding where and when to study or intern abroad is difficult for many students and young professionals (our team can help with that!). For a stage management major and technical theater minor seeking a theater internship, choosing an AIFS Abroad program in London was a no-brainer for Kaitlyn, as she explains:
“I chose London because of the large amount of theatre that is present in the city and how many opportunities I would have because of that! I would 100% recommend London to other people who are looking to [intern] abroad. London has so many different things to do and people to meet, no matter what you’re studying.”
Deciding to intern abroad in the summer wasn’t a hard choice either—as Katelyn said, she wasn’t able to go abroad during the fall or spring semester:
“I chose to intern abroad during the summer term because my major requires me to be on campus during the academic year. London in the summer is full of life and so many different events are happening all the time!”
Why Intern Abroad?
There are so many reasons to intern abroad! Interning abroad helps you develop your skillset, build a strong resume, grow your network, and practice cross-cultural communication, all while you travel the world and immerse yourself in a new and exciting international environment. Hear a few of the reasons why Katelyn interned abroad:
“I wanted to intern abroad to boost my resume but also to make meaningful connections with people in my industry across the world. I think college students and recent grads should pursue this type of experience because it really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore and live in a different city while also getting to do it with a bunch of other people your age.”
Internship Experience
AIFS Abroad carefully places each participant in an internship abroad that aligns with their career goals. We work with host companies and organizations in your approved fields to ensure you gain meaningful, hands-on professional experience that can set you up for future success. Below, Katelyn sums up her theater administration internship in London:
“I worked at a non-profit fringe theatre that was in the Isle of Dogs. I was mainly responsible for arts administration tasks such as marketing and social media, answering emails, and daily tasks around the building.”
Housing
All AIFS Abroad programs include housing. Katelyn lived in a student residence, which, as she explains, was a great way to meet people in her program:
“I lived in a student residence while I was in London. I was able to live in my own room and have my own bathroom, which was super nice this summer! I still lived in a flat with five other girls, which meant we shared a common area and kitchen, but having [my] own space [was] so nice.”
Making Friends Abroad
Worried about making friends during your internship abroad? AIFS Abroad programs include social and cultural activities, as well as trips and excursions with other participants, providing plenty of opportunities to meet fellow interns. Below, Katelyn explains how she was nervous about making friends in London and was grateful for the opportunity to meet other AIFS Abroad program participants right away:
“I did not know anyone in my program before going, which was definitely a source of anxiety before leaving, but turned out to be an awesome thing. On the first full day of the program, AIFS has all of the interns go to an onboarding lecture and then a bus tour, which gave everyone the opportunity to meet each other, and was where I met my best friend on the trip!”
Social & Cultural Activities
AIFS Abroad activities aren’t just a great way to make friends—they’re also an opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and explore your host city. Hear Katelyn describe the activities she attended with AIFS Abroad in London:
“I loved all of the West End shows that AIFS took us to! My favorite may have been Matilda for a few reasons; we had really good seats… the show was so good, and getting to go with all of my friends was such a fun time.”
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on her internship abroad in London, Katelyn leaves us with these final thoughts:
“I grew personally and professionally during my time interning abroad! Personally, I grew much more than I thought possible. I really learned to live independently, take chances, and have fun! Professionally, I had the chance to observe many people in my field work, meet many people in the industry and connect with them, and grow my own skill set. My future goals changed and solidified while I was abroad. I really confirmed that I was going into the right field [and] realized that I may have an interest in arts administration.”
Are you a student or recent graduate ready to take the leap and join an AIFS Abroad internship program like Katelyn did in London? We’d love to help you start your journey!
Here at AIFS Abroad, we know a thing or two about helping college students and pre-professionals study and intern abroad. Our programs are incredibly inclusive, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning. From coordinating your housing to providing things like cultural and social activities, excursions, comprehensive insurance, 24/7 emergency support, on-site staff, and more, you’ll take comfort in knowing you’ll have support throughout your entire experience abroad.
