Alice F., completed her Marketing internship at Delta Children in the summer of 2020 in New York City. Originally from Italy, Alice hoped to gain international experience and increase her chances to work for an international firm based in Europe upon graduation. Alice checked in with InterExchange to discuss how her internship experience in the United States has shaped her professionally and personally.
InterExchange: What are some professional goals you achieved during your internship?
Alice: “During my internship, I not only learned about e-commerce and marketing, but also I learned about the online sales department. I got a more in-depth view on a lot of American companies like Amazon, which is now my current employer in Europe where I work as a manager in Operations.
Another big goal for me personally was to learn professional English language skills and, since all my colleagues were Americans, I came back home with better skills and fluency in speaking English and that made me so proud. I am also thankful I had the opportunity to learn by doing and by learning from my mistakes because afterwards, I always had the luck to receive constructive feedback that helped me to improve professionally.
Furthermore, I not only achieved goals professionally but also personally. New York is the most amazing, unpredictable and incredible city I have ever lived in. It changed me so much for the better that I don’t feel the same as when I left. New York made me grow up and made me stronger. It made me realise I can do whatever I want to do. I feel so lucky that I had the chance to live this precious experience. I recommend it to everybody to do it. To take a breath and jump in this experience because sacrifices always pay back.”
Image courtesy of Alice F.
InterExchange: What was your favorite aspect about interning in the United States?
Alice: “At the beginning of my internship in New York it was quite hard, the subway time table, the office hours to respect, I missed food from Italy, I missed my family, my friends and my boyfriend. On the other hand, there was the incredible experience I was living and I never have second guessed whether this experience was worth it.
My favorite aspect about my time spent in New York during my internship was the international and multicultural environment. In Europe, it is difficult to find such a “melting pot.” My friends in New York were from all over the world and I was speaking at least 3 languages a day. I not only improved my English but also got in touch with a lot of Hispanic people. I was also practicing my second language: Spanish. At the beginning of my stay in the Big Apple I remember I was always walking with my nose up, looking at new skyscrapers, that was something so different for me, so huge, that made me feel bigger, stronger and more mature.”
InterExchange: What is your current profession and how did your internship assist you with finding a job?
Alice: “As soon as I came back to Europe I started writing my master’s thesis. I graduated and immediately found a job as manager in operations at Amazon Barcelona, in Spain. I did not think twice about the offer, I took a flight from Italy and I started this huge new chapter. I am very grateful and I feel very blessed to have had the chance to do my internship in New York. I think recruiters really appreciate it because it demonstrates all my curiosity, all my dynamism and my capability to adapt in a completely new environment, whether it is a new company or a new country.”
InterExchange: What are some interview tips you would give to a participant who is looking for an internship/training program?
Alice: “The best advice I can give to students that are struggling to prepare their interview is to focus on the goals they have. Get prepared, be grateful and feel blessed because they have the biggest opportunity if they get the chance to do an experience in the U.S.
Be curious, take advantage of the time you can spend in America and try to absorb the most, sacrifice always pays back! Be hungry, be grateful and nice, people there are super nice and always ready to help. Last but not least: do what you love, whatever it takes, enjoy every second of this amazing experience because time flies when things are great!”
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