This was my first internship and first time working in a professional setting. Not only did this experience teach me how to utilize my education in business to a real world application, but I also learned how to “walk the walk” in the business world.

I think that overall, this internship experience instilled a global mindset in me that has helped me in my career immensely. Understanding different cultures, people, and perspectives is such an important thing in a career and in life helping you connect with the people around you no matter where you end up.

After I graduated from university, I took a job in Commercial Real Estate Banking at a large American Bank and did that for a couple of years then took some time away from my career and traveled the world pursuing my other passions like photography. My experience with Connect-123 showed me that I am capable of exploring the world and creating a community around myself no matter where I was. I spent two years solo traveling across South America, Europe, and New Zealand as a professional photographer and nomadic adventurer. I have now since returned to the pursuit of my career aspirations, but I can say with confidence that I have grown so much as a person from my travels. I am so grateful to Connect-123 for helping plant that seed of adventure in me all those years ago.

It is absolutely worth it to do an internship abroad. I believe there are two ways someone can travel to a new place. One way is to be a tourist and go to see the sights and experience a place as a visitor which is fun and wonderful in its own right. But the second way is to go to a new place and become a part of the community by working there and contributing to the community and people in that new place. I believe that getting to join a new community and meet new people through an opportunity like an internship is an invaluable way to expand your horizons and grow as an individual.