Meet Anna in New York
"One of the most exciting aspects for me was the opportunity to receive hands-on experience while connecting internationally and building new relationships" Meet Anna who decided to go abroad because she was confident that having an international experience would have a life-changing benefit for her future development." Read the full interview here.
Why did you choose to go abroad?
I decided to go abroad because I was confident that having an international experience would have a life-changing benefit for my future development. One of the most exciting aspects for me was the opportunity to receive hands-on experience while connecting internationally and building new relationships.
How does the US culture differ from your culture and what has impressed you most so far?
The first thing that comes to mind is openness. Here, people look to have conversations with other people, even if they do not know them. Specifically, talking about New York City, it is wonderful how many different cultures come together in one place. There is always something new to explore and learn, which I love. Also, the way I was welcomed into my new work environment was truly remarkable. Everyone here has a lot of interest in who you are and what you are looking forward to achieving. The people I have met want me to have a great experience, which I truly appreciate.
Could you take us for a day? What are your routines?
Every day looks a bit different for me. I start my day with a walk to the subway station, which takes me within a few minutes to the city. Every day, I walk across Times Square on my way to work. It is something I never thought would be part of my daily routine, which is very cool when thinking about it. I have an open-designed workplace, which is perfect for having conversations or exchanging ideas with colleagues. There are always different tasks and challenges for me to tackle. Furthermore, I am involved in weekly meetings, which provide insight into the company's organization, processes, and projects. I also have the chance to attend weekly meetings, where I get to see how issues or problems are solved and talked about by the leadership team. One of the most exciting parts is also attending industry events or taking part in fairs with my colleagues. I have already met a lot of industry experts and gained unique insights into the business that I did not have before. All in all, I can say that being part of the business's day-to-day activities is simply the best.
How has this experience abroad helped you to grow personally?
My stay abroad helped me consolidate my character in a new, exciting setting. Systematic thinking in a different cultural field is something I could not learn from a book. I also elevated my skills by discovering new competencies. The experience helped me build up my overall awareness in terms of respect and understanding differences. Furthermore, I increased my adaptability when navigating through an unknown country, city, or social situation.
Why would you recommend others to do a program abroad?
A program abroad is something anyone can benefit from. I have so many positive things to share. Before doing the program abroad, I was quite unsure of what to expect. However, I have learned so much about myself in the past few months. New York itself is such a remarkable city, and there is always something new to explore. The best part is definitely the people I got to meet during my program. The people are all very inviting and friendly, which is also very refreshing and gives overall a great motivation. I do not have any regrets about selecting my program. The Stage team is very passionate, and they made my internship a dream come true.
If you could express your experience in three words, what would these be?
Adventurous, Inspiring and Exciting
