Meet Wout in Pennsylvania!
"I'm having a great time at the internship so far. I have been well received and have seen a good view of the company during the first few weeks. I am also well supported and I can always turn to my supervisors for questions. I have received assignments from school that I have to carry out here and I get projects from the company that I will be able to carry out during my internship"
Wout found a company in Pennsylvania and is doing a short term internship, read his experiences here:
Why did you choose to go abroad?
I chose to do an internship abroad because it has always been a dream of mine to do an internship in America or Canada. It is also good for my English language and my personal development.
How do you feel about your internship so far?
I'm having a great time at the internship so far. I have been well received and have seen a good view of the company during the first few weeks. I am also well supported and I can always turn to my supervisors for questions. I have received assignments from school that I have to carry out here and I get projects from the company that I will be able to carry out during my internship.
How does the American culture differ from your culture and what has impressed you the most?
The difference in culture here is that it's all a little more relaxed. If people don't get something done on a day, that's no problem and they do it the next day. I live more in the country area close to Philadelphia and this is where the amish people live. These are people who are still alive as we lived 100 years ago and now live between the modern world, which is quite a different thing to do.
Could you take us through a day? What is your routine?
I usually get up at 6:45 and then I have breakfast. I live in a house on the top floor. This house is furnished as an office and the 3rd floor is an apartment. So when I'm having breakfast in the morning I see all the office staff come in. Usually I have a short chat with everyone and then I go to work at 8:00. I work at the office at a different location where more logistic services take place and I study logistic and transport. Here I start up my computer and start working usually I will be back in the apartment around 17:30. I usually work out in a gym in the evening. After exercising I eat and usually watch some television before I go to bed.
What is your housing situation? Do you live in an apartment? Roommates? Housemates?
I live in an apartment located in the company's office building. This apartment is the complete 3rd floor of the office building. I live on my own and I like that very much. I have a car with which I can move around because I am not in a big city but more afterwards where the distances are large. Because of this, the company has made a car available to me.
Have you made any trips so far? (Or have you trips planned/in mind?)
I've mostly been on day trips. Like visiting an American Football match and a Nascar race. I also went to a street festival in West Chester this is a festival where all pubs are open and there is a party all over the street where there are lots of food stalls on the street.
What are your future plans?
I'm still in college, and when I get back, I have 1 1/2 years. After this I want to do a new study but I'm not sure what to do yet. Probably something in the transport and logistics direction.
How has this experience abroad helped you grow both professionally and personally?
Yes, very much so. It makes me a lot more mature because I have to do everything myself now. I also improve my English language and I see a lot of the country.
Why would you recommend others to do their internship/traineeship abroad?
Yeah, if you have the chance and you can do it, I'd definitely recommend it. It's great for your personal and professional development and you can also see a lot of a country. During your internship you can visit a lot of things and maybe even travel for a while. I think it's highly recommended and if you have the chance to do an internship I would definitely take it.
If you could express your internship experience in three words, what would these be?
Progression
Experience
Nice
