Sisse Enderlein: Independently arranged internship

My goal for studying abroad: The personal challenge and in order to add some experience abroad to my CV. I didn’t get to go abroad during my Bachelor, so it's great to combine an internship with a study abroad period during my Master’s.

My experience thus far: The best way forward is to be proactive and come with ideas and take the initiative. The more you push to be given responsibility, the more leeway you’ll get. Here I’m in charge of the social media strategy because that’s what I wanted. So you can influence things a lot and you have a great deal of knowledge from your studies. 

My best piece of advice: I made myself available on several fronts. Uploaded my CV to AU's job bank, other job banks and sites for job seekers. I contacted AU's coordinators and staff at the companies where I wanted to work. I also signed up for relevant Facebook groups and did some online research. I even offered to travel to Amsterdam so the companies I was applying to could meet me in person. I think that helped show my commitment and that I was willing to make an extra effort.

What’s been difficult: All the practical stuff! Filling out the forms correctly and getting them signed by the right people. Finding somewhere to live, applying for scholarships, sorting out tax matters, changing address and registering in a new country. All that takes time and energy. Having said that, you mustn’t let all the practical stuff scare you off, because you get so much both academically and personally that it makes up for all of that.

What’s been great: Coming to a new country and getting to know it is really great. In the travel agents where my internship is, there are more than 700 employees from all sorts of countries. It’s really interesting and awesome to challenge myself and try out the things I learned from my studies.

Translated by Peter Lambourne