I believe the seminar content has helped me shape my internship experience by being able to critically think and write about my experiences. Going to the internship class with several other interns that have experiences similar to mine was really important to know how they handled similar situations, advocated for themselves and what they want to get out of their internships. It also showed how everyone handled any problems, and essentially what everyone was working on. I think by having the seminar alongside the Internship helped all of us get the most out of the work that we were doing. Not only by talking about what we were doing and learning about what other interns were working on but also on how to share mutual tactics to stand up for yourself as an intern and get what you want out of it. For example, I had the same issue with a fellow intern that we were both doing data entry in Excel and that hadn’t been agreed-upon in the Internship contract. We both want to do more so research base/data analytical work. It was very helpful to have someone go through the same experience and then brainstorm together how we were going to create a solution with our bosses.
I think ending the semester the way that we did definitely limited the meaning of my internship and the work that I had wanted to work on. I really wanted to do a lot of research that was based on European policy with Russia and China and disinformation and although that was going on within the organization, I was not able to do any of it because I was in the US. If I had still been in Prague, I would’ve been able to advocate more for the work that I wanted to do. Although this work wasn’t done, I can still salvage meaning from this experience by being able to know that I was able to adapt to a difficult situation, work extremely well with other people remotely, increase my communication skills, and also figure out that policy security and other security aspects internationally are what I would be interested in working towards in my future career.
Being able to see firsthand in Prague the different types of policy leaders meeting and discussing issues like Chinese influence and Russian disinformation attacks led me to consider all different types of career possibilities. It also created invaluable networking opportunities to see how these influential security leaders started off their careers and see if that’s something that I could start my career off as well. For example, I alongside another intern worked to set up the office space for the Australian security advisor and security advisers from every single country it seems like in Europe and see them asking him questions, writing vigorous notes, and learning from Australia how they’re handling security issues in relation to China. I never knew meetings like this happened, but it showed me what people with the title actually do with their job.
I think this experience is definitely going to be able to be an asset to me explaining my soft skills and personality to future employers. Although it ended on a very disappointing note, I think I handled the transition back to the U.S. pretty well. From moving back within three days of finding out we had to leave, to getting sick, but also completing my internship and all of my courses shows my dedication to my schoolwork and work in general. I think that the time spent in Prague helped to shape my independence and work ethic, by being motivated to do well even in a strange, new, and uncomfortable scenario but still finishing strong. Persistence and problem solving were described in the article “What are problem solving skills and why are they important” as being very important in a successful working environment. It states, “As you explore potential solutions to the issue, you must demonstrate persistence. Finding the right approach to the issue won’t come easily. Innovative thinking will serve you well.” I think that this experience in Prague gives me an example of how well I can persist in a difficult situation.
In the article “Stimulating Critical Thinking in U.S Business Students through the Inclusion of International Students” it states, “Unfortunately, feelings of dissonance, confusion and marginalization can interfere with the ability for different cultures to work together” (Norman, p.1). My experience abroad exposed me to several different cultures and working with people in my internship even with cultural differences and language barriers. This experience will help me be an asset to future employers.
Stephanie's Study Abroad Internship Blog 