Global Internship Program: Student Ambassadors

Alejandro Jimenez

Major: Geography/Environmental Studies

Internship Company: Fundación Catalina Muñoz

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: I would say one of my favorite aspects of this program was getting to truly know and experience how people relate with one another socially in different contexts from a Colombian lens. The way in which work was carried out in the workplace and the ways in which I interacted with others when introducing myself seemed more genuine and openly communicative. I feel as though my internship experience was unique in that I had to be adaptable and communicative in a distinct way, where I was actively connected and relied on everyone in the workplace and others mutually relied on each other to uplift the culture and functions of the environment. This personally was challenging for me at times, yet it allowed for the development of relationships based on trust and collaboration that does not seem to be valued nearly as much in the traditional United States work environment.

Ask me about: 

• Experience as an intern
• Navigating transportation without a car
• Time management
• Traveling abroad as queer person

Max Schaked

Major: Political Science

Internship Company: Redepaz

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: My coworkers at the organization I interned at, Redepaz, were extremely kind and welcoming to me during my time in Colombia. We still keep in touch and I will remember them for a very long time.

Ask me about:

• Application/Interview recommendations
• Finding the right internship
• Doubts about living abroad or being away from home
• Working in a foreign country with a different workplace culture
• Being out of state

Veronica Reyes

Major: Global Studies, Economics

Internship Company: Casa de la Mujer

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: My favorite part of my program was learning a new language and immersing in Spanish. Through this experience, I practiced the language in the professional setting of my internship, while meeting new friends, and in everyday interactions. Over the course of two months, I had a conversational fluency.

Ask me about: 

• Living in a country without speaking the language
• Traveling as a woman
• Navigating life outside the internship

Brenda Ibarra

Major: International Development Studies

Internship Company: The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: By far my favorite parts of the program were the relationships I developed with my coworker, friends, and other locals. Moreover the program gave me memorable opportunities to learn about local South African culture and  the present complex social structure that exists following the end of Apartheid a short 30 years prior.

Ask me about: 

• Experience as an intern
• Interview tips and recommendations
• Culture Shock

Jocelyn Espinoza

Major: Education and Social Transformation

Internship Company: Ihata Shelter

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: What truly made me UCLA Global Internship memorable was the new community I made in South Africa. Being far away from home can be difficult, and at times, it can feel lonely. But the community in South Africa were so inviting and loving. It felt like I a second home with VA Corps, Ihata Shelter, and the group of UCLA students. Everyone made my internship so memorable, the storytelling, the late nights, the laughter, the tears, the early mornings. Being in a new country with loving amazing people and creating new memories made my internship so memorable.

Ask me about:

• More on my experience
• Application and interview tips
• How to deal with mental health in a new country

Laila Wheeler

Major: Public Affairs

Internship Company: Africa Unite

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: The most memorable part of the program was cultivating friendships that would last long after I left Cape Town. My internship co-workers and I fostered a deeper bond that extended beyond the workplace, transforming work into a welcoming atmosphere that I looked forward to going to everyday. Also, having the opportunity to interact with the community was such a fruitful and rewarding experience! The nature of Cape Town is breathtaking and brought so many adventurous activities like bungy jumping, kayaking, and hiking Table Mountain.

Ask me about:

• Traveling as a Black student
• Building connections beyond your internship
• Navigating finances abroad

Emily Perez

Major: Public Affairs

Internship Company: The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC)

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: My favorite part of the program was undoubtedly the opportunity to work with a children’s charity. Learning about the hard work and creativity required to drive their fundraising efforts was truly inspiring. It was incredibly rewarding to witness the dedication and passion that goes into supporting a cause that has such a positive impact on young lives. This experience not only expanded my understanding of the challenges faced by charitable organizations but also gave me a deep appreciation for the meaningful work they do in our communities.

Ask me about:

• More of my experience as an intern
• Navigating life outside of LA
• Interview tips

Gratia O’Rafferty

Major: Public Affairs

Term: Summer 2023

Internship Company: The Hope Foundation

Favorite memory/experience: I loved working with people from various backgrounds and found all of my Irish coworkers to be incredibly kind, welcoming, and accommodating. They supported me in all of my work and encouraged me to explore Dublin, often offering recommendations for places that only locals know about.

Ask me about:

• Navigating a new city independently
• Connecting with international internship supervisors
• Balancing internships and exploring during your abroad experience

Micaela Aragon

Major: Labor Studies

Internship Company: Friends of the Elderly

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: My favorite part of the program was definitely my internship. I worked for a nonprofit organization that works to combat elderly isolation and loneliness by offering their members with different forms of connection. Our work meant that we were hosting big events every few weeks such as day trips to other regions of the island and smaller events every single day of the week which included yoga classes and coffee mornings. This work alongside the community not only pushed me to be fully immersed in Irish culture but allowed me to form strong bonds with my peers, some of whom happened to be interns from other countries like France and Switzerland. The bonds we formed have become lifelong friendships I am very grateful for!

Ask me about: 

• Experience as an intern
• Working with different communities abroad
• Application/Interview tips
• Traveling on a budget

Ruby Chavez DeChavez

Major: Political Science

Internship Company: Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS)

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: I think my favorite part of the program was the traveling and seeing new places. I wanted to go to Ireland to learn about the country’s culture and history. I believed I have accomplished this.

Everything is very new to me that even traveling to work on the bus and looking out the window is very exciting as there is always something to see.

I was able to visit places that other UCLA interns didn’t or would have not been able to visit including the mountains of Wicklow, the JFK Homestead and Arboretum, and the Dunbrody famine ship experience. I was faced with the hardships of traveling on my own for the first time, but it was the local Irish people I met along the way (in which I otherwise would have not encountered in a paid tour) that made this trip even more special.

Ask me about:

• Application/Interview recommendations
• Finding the right internship
• Doubts about living abroad or being away from home
• Working in a foreign country with a different workplace culture
• Being out of state

Aiden Earle

Major: Political Science

Internship Company: NFQ Asia

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: The people really make the difference. You are in a place where your co workers and locals are so kind, welcoming, and excited to show you around. My location was pretty walkable, so being able to just randomly walk along any street with a new friend I made and get to hear about their life while stumbling into something to do was one of a kind. You can find some of the best food or music just by roaming around, and those little moments are the really special ones.

Ask me about:

• Experience as an intern
• Interview tips’
• Navigating travel anxiety
• Study abroad financing tips

Kindersley Manchame

Major: Nursing

Internship Company: Clinical/Hospital Rotations

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: There were many parts that were my favorite through out the program. I would definitely say that certain clinical rotations were memorable because of the interactions I had with many health care professionals. I would also say I got really lucky with my host family and they are a really important and memorable part of my experience. They fed me well, treated me well, and treated me like family so I was really able to bond with them. Other memorable moments were definitely the time my cohort and I would take it upon ourselves to explore Bolivia.

Ask me about: 

• Experience as an intern
• Application tips and recommendations
• Navigating intern life outside of LA
• Tips being abroad

Jonathan Garcia Renteria

Major: Environmental Engineering

Internship Company: Space Power

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: One of the most memorable aspects of the program was spending evenings with my friends on the busy streets of Osaka, enjoying bowls of udon together and singing in karaoke sessions. These are some of the most memorable moments of my life and I;ll cherish them into my career.

Ask me about: 

• Intercultural communication in the workplace
• Navigating life in a foreign country as a student of color
• Exploring the unique aspects of life in Japan

Krish Shah

Major: Computer Engineering

Internship Company: Geek Guild Co.

Term: Summer 2023

Favorite memory/experience: My favorite part of the program had to be the people. Of course, I met with my supervisor and the company but meeting everyone else was the real fun. Making friends with random Japanese strangers, staying up late at night playing board games or just talking with other students in the program, and even just experiencing the politeness of the Japanese culture was amazing.

Ask me about: 

• Vegetarian diet
• Experience as an intern
• Making close friends in a new environment