Meet Paulo in New York!

"Life-dream, challenge, excitement" - Paulo has just finished a 5 month internship in New York, we asked him some questions about this program:

Why did you choose to go abroad?
To get an insight in a foreign work environment.

How did you find your internship?
Through Stage USA

How do you feel about your internship so far?
Really good, it’s interesting and exciting to work in a mega-city as NYC is. People welcomed me with open arms and one thing is for sure, it is different to the European work style we’re used to.

How does the American culture differ from your culture and what has impressed you the most?
Americans are very open and easy to talk to. Entertainment and excitement as well as in your free time or at work are key. It is impressing how people help out each other’s and love their country.

Could you take us through a day? What is your routine?
I like to wake up early every day to have as much of the day as possible, that’s why I mostly take a walk or the bike to the city before work. Then I take my laptop and my creativeness to the office and work myself through the day with instructions of my supervisor. It’s an open space room and we’re allowed to experiment and learn as interns.

What is your housing situation? Do you live in an apartment? Roommates? Housemates?
I live in a shared Airbnb for the moment in Williamsburg (awesome place) with a New York citizen and will later on move to Long Island City.

Have you made any trips so far? (Or have you trips planned/in mind?)
Well New York itself has so many things to discover, so you never get all the things done on your bucket list.
Already been to the beachside of New York and watch some real American Baseball – the NY mets.

What are your future plans?
My plan is it to give my best at the internship and develop my working skills. I want to get as much of the day as possible and therefore explore all the sightings this beautiful city has to offer.

How has this experience abroad helped you grow both professionally and personally?
Don’t know yet.

Why would you recommend others to do their internship/traineeship abroad?
To exchange in intercultural affairs, to challenge yourself in an exciting environment and most of all – to have fun working!

If you could express your internship experience in three words, what would these be?
Life-dream, challenge, excitement

Paulo also made a video to help you prepare for your experience abroad: