Global Internships 2021: Isabelle Lopez, Japan (Virtual)

What did you learn during your UCLA Global Internship program?
During my internship I was able to learn a lot about PCB design in terms of how to create the most efficient design, the many different specifications available, and the different options for the manufacturing and assembly process. I think it was interesting to attend team meetings and learn about how the company planned to grow and the steps they would take to get there.

What was your favorite part of the program?
I think something really great about the Global Internship program is that it’s not just an internship with your host company. The company UCLA works with, CRCC Asia, provides so many resources to help you really get the most out of your internship. This includes helpful articles, career modules, and one-on-one coaching calls. I think it really helped me make the most of my internship and build my professional skills.

How do you think this internship program will help your future career?

This experience has made me more confident in my abilities as an engineer and more motivated to continue to learn and work in this field. My internship has helped me develop my ability to solve problems on my own, while also being comfortable asking questions when I need to.

How did interning abroad compare to other internships or jobs you’ve had? What made your internship unique or memorable?

For my company in particular, although they were based in Japan, the team was made up of individuals from many other countries as well. It was interesting to see how a team made up of people from different countries was able to provide many unique perspectives that could be used to elicit the best possible results.

What advice would you give future students who want to participate in the Global Internship Program? 

As a Virtual Internship participant, I would recommend developing a set routine and schedule and sticking to it. The flexibility of a remote internship can be convenient, but routine and schedule can help with motivation and focus as you work from home.

Global Internships 2021: Shannon Courtney, Colombia (Virtual)

What did you learn during your UCLA Global Internship program?
My participation in the UCLA Global Internship program not only taught me the critical peacebuilding initiatives to combat armed conflict and violence in Colombia but also develop profound intercultural communication skills through class and peer discussions.

What was your favorite part of the program?
The opportunity to gain work experience in the global workplace, which will help me be a more competitive applicant in future career endeavors.

How do you think this internship program will help your future career?

My career aspiration is to work in foreign diplomacy, particularly in Latin America, so this internship experience with Somos CaPAZes via Intern Colombia has allowed me to develop better professional skills and cross-cultural participation with international peacebuilders.

How did interning abroad compare to other internships or jobs you’ve had? What made your internship unique or memorable?

This first-time experience interning abroad was incredibly memorable because I was able to help international actors in geopolitics and creating substantial change in Colombian communities while developing my Spanish skills and Latin American historical and socioeconomic knowledge.

What advice would you give future students who want to participate in the Global Internship Program? 

Be a self-starter during your internship. Ask what is needed and be proactive. It will make your experience worthwhile, help you gain connections with supervisors and teammates, and develop strong intercultural work skills.

Global Internships 2021: Wudia Kamara, Germany (Virtual)

What did you learn during your UCLA Global Internship program?
As a Business Development Intern at Agilis Advisors (an advisory company based in Berlin, Germany), I’ve been able to learn a great deal about how business are formed from the beginning stages up until expansion and need for capital, which Agilis mostly helps with. My supervisor is the head of investor relations, and as such I had the first hand experience of learning about client relations. Most of my tasks primarily included: researching and creating a database of African and European startups, companies, advisory firms, private equity/venture capital funds and outreaching to them via email, in proposing potential business opportunities based on the services provided by Agilis. Overall, I researched and reached out to slightly over 600 companies over the past 8 weeks, some of which I also scheduled meetings with Agilis’ management team to further discuss partnerships or investment opportunities.

I was also assigned tasks to work on for specific investment projects that were already in progress, most of which were Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects for building infrastructure in African countries. Most of these projects had some sort of a social impact in terms of mitigating educational inequality, food insecurity, inaccessible healthcare and so much more in accordance with the UN sustainable development goals. Thus, working on these projects by researching for potential investors, creating investment snapshots for pitches, and going over investment teasers was really rewarding, just as it was a pertinent professional learning experience.

I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into my internship given my little exposure to the field of investment prior to, but I knew that I wanted to overall improve my intercultural communication skills, and I did! Although my supervisor was my sole contact throughout my internship, I was able to learn from our cross cultural differences and most importantly in reaching out to and communicating with people from literally all over the world. I definitely gained the exposure to the international hemisphere that I had hoped for, while understanding the various features of business development and investment management.

What was your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part of the program was the internship itself together with the partnered courses. The CESC course equipped me with the necessary intercultural communication tools that I applied at my internship site and will continue to cultivate in cross-cultural settings. With the 195 CE course, I was able to analyze my internship experience in a globalized context, and even write a research paper about improving the stagnated entrepreneurial growth in Africa, as inspired by my internship. They really embody the full package and give you a holistic experience as a student and intern!

How do you think this internship program will help your future career?

While this internship has specifically equipped me with the necessary skills for a career in global advisory and investment, I have been able to gain the foundational skills of navigating intercultural dynamics, and cultivate my professional capabilities, which I am confident will enhance my success in future international careers.

How did interning abroad compare to other internships or jobs you’ve had? What made your internship unique or memorable?

I had an internship last Summer that was virtual as well, and as such, while virtually interning in Berlin was definitely not the ideal situation, it wasn’t quite foreign to me. I think what made my internship memorable was that I got to complete tasks that were quite interesting in exploring diverse entrepreneurial ideas, and work on individual projects at my own discretion with necessary guidelines and feedback. Additionally, observing the cultural differences between my supervisor and I while learning from each other is indeed memorable.

What advice would you give future students who want to participate in the Global Internship Program? 

Please take both partnered courses if possible. Begin your internship experience with an open mind to learning various skills. Some tasks may seem trivial or daunting, but are absolutely necessary in understanding some processes in their entirety. Also, deciding to do a global internship should mean being willing to accept, appreciate, and respect cultures that you may not be familiar with. Most importantly, present your most authentic self and have fun!!!

Global Internships 2021: Olivia Nelli, Colombia (Virtual)

What did you learn during your UCLA Global Internship program?
I learned a lot about the intricacies of international fundraising during my internship, which included researching fiscal sponsorships, fundraising platforms, and best practices to expand an organization’s reach through social media.

What was your favorite part of the program?
My favorite part of the program was being exposed to another culture. Even though I was not there in person, my interactions with my supervisor exposed me to Colombian culture and how the workplace varies across countries. I am excited to one day visit Colombia and see the work of the organization in person!

How do you think this internship program will help your future career?

Gaining a better understanding of international fundraising will be so beneficial for me going forward because it is a relatively new opportunity for non-profits. I am eager to use the skills I have acquired through this internship in my future career to help further the projects and initiatives of other internationally-based non-profits through increasing their funding through new sources. Additionally, I learned so much more about food insecurity and its consequences, so I am now very passionate about the issue and look forward to continue working in the field.

How did interning abroad compare to other internships or jobs you’ve had? What made your internship unique or memorable?

Because my internship was based in Colombia, there was a small language barrier, as I am not fluent in Spanish. It definitely made it more challenging to understand my projects, but I was able to develop my Spanish speaking, writing and reading skills. I was also doing work that genuinely made an impact in the organization, which made me feel so much more proud of my work.

What advice would you give future students who want to participate in the Global Internship Program? 

This internship program is a great way to gain international work experience if that is something that interests you! It also provides you with a different and unique viewpoint on what international organizations value and need to be successful. Additionally, this experience definitely enhanced my understanding of non-profits and fighting for vulnerable communities. Overall, I have strengthened and gained skills that I will carry with my throughout the rest of my career.