Tag: Internships Abroad

01/29/13

Student Stars: Michael Illas: Working with Children in Budapest

Name: Michael Illas
Major: Corporate Communications
Expected Graduation Year: 2014
A childhood dream of Michael Illas was to travel to Europe. This dream was realized when he flew to Budapest, Hungary with the guidance of and a travel grant from the Weissman Center for International Business.

From May 26th to August 24th 2012, Michael interned at Globekids Züm-Züm Nursery School. Globekids aims to create an international environment for young Hungarian children by incorporating foreign nationals into their nursery school programs. Interns learn how the Hungarian education system operates and take home stronger management skills at the end of the experience. Michael’s position consisted of taking care of and teaching English to Hungarian toddlers. Michael tells us that there isn’t a day that passes since he’s returned to the States without him recalling the memories he made while taking care of children in Hungary.

Michael also had the opportunity to travel to other European cities such as Siófok, Visegrád, Vienna, Florence and Prague in the three months he was overseas. He was excited to learn about different cultures, make new friends and try different (and delicious) foods through the experience.  Through the experience he has matured and he thanks the Weissman Center for International Business for its guidance and for providing him with a travel grant to pursue the internship.

If you have wanted to see what it is like to work overseas or have questions about our Center’s exclusive travel grant, come by the Weissman Center to schedule an appointment to speak to our Work Abroad Coordinator.  We would be happy to help you realize your dreams, much like Michael did.

We are conveniently located at 137 E 25th Street 8th Floor (across the street from the VC).

01/18/13

Student Stars: Kristine Capuno – Marketing in Brazil

For Kristine Capuno, working abroad in central Brazil was the opportunity of a lifetime.  It had always been a dream for Kristine to travel, but she never expected her marketing internship at the Associação Filantrópica Semente da Vida (AFSDA) would become a dynamic part of her college experience.   She felt her internship truly gave her a chance to develop herself personally and professionally and gave her exposure to a world outside of New York City.

As part of Kristine’s marketing internship at AFSDA, she helped to communicate her organization’s values and ideals to the immediate community in the city of Goiania through a program named Projeto Semear.  AFSDA is a non-governmental organization that aims to create strong local communities by integrating parents, children and the community through activities that work towards improving their quality of life through activities such as football lessons, music, computers, and language classes, and fundraising.  Kristine felt that the experience helped her further her skills as a marketing major at Baruch.  Kristine expects to graduate in June 2013 and apply the knowledge attained overseas in her career.

When asked what the most enjoyable aspect of working abroad was, Kristine noted, “Surrounding myself with them [the people she worked with overseas] allowed me to learn so much about myself [and]… gave me the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone.”

We recommend visiting Mutirama Park if you have the opportunity to sightsee in Goiania.  Mutirama Park is a great place to relax or enjoy a lazy afternoon.  It is also home to the city’s planetarium, which is worth the visit should you desire to compare it to what we have in New York, such as the Rose Center for Earth and Space in Manhattan.

If you are an undergraduate or graduate enrolled at Baruch, you may also qualify for the work abroad experience!  Please come by the Weissman Center’s office conveniently located across the street from the VC at:

137 E. 25th Street 8th Floor

New York, NY 10010

We would be happy to set up an appointment for you to learn more about work abroad opportunities.

08/14/12
Brandenburg Gate on Christopher Street Day

Marketing Major joins the Berlin Collective

Brandenburg Gate on Christopher Street Day
Brandenburg Gate on Christopher Street Day

If you have ever wondered about what a global internship might entail, Deneesha Lawrence’s will be of interest to you. A marketing major and graphic communications minor at Baruch, she told us about her experience while interning at the Berlin Collective in New York City. She describes the Berlin Collective as an institution that cares about the interests of new and established artists from various countries around the world. At the Berlin Collective, member artists are connected with other professionals in their field.  Artists also create and lead workshops to teach people about art, using the workshops as an added means to fund their work.

The Berlin Collective also offers internships for college and high school students who are set up with specific artists based on their interests. Ms. Lawrence became an intern at the organization after being referred to its founder and director Nichole Cohen by Baruch professor of art Terry Berkowitz. A couple of months after Deneesha joined the Berlin Collective she had the opportunity to travel to Germany where she stayed for two weeks and volunteered to promote and organize a performance art exhibition at an art co-space in Berlin. Deneesha says that the artists she met abroad are very active in their field, and understand that networking is probably the most valuable tool they have to become successful. Currently, as the Marketing director at the Berlin Collective, she is responsible for creating most of their graphic materials, both digital and printed, designing templates for their new website and help in the planning of various events. Deneesha’s path at the Berlin Collective is a great example of how Baruch students make the most of their opportunities to succeed locally and abroad.

To learn more about the Berlin Collective click here

Did this article got you interested in landing an internship in NYC or abroad? Find out more information at the WCIB

08/6/12

Weissman Covers Airfare for Baruchians Interning Overseas

For many students, landing an internship abroad is a dream come true.  What many students may not know is that Baruch sweetens the deal by offering to fund airfare for select Baruch students who intend to continue studying at Baruch for at least another semester after their internship abroad concludes.  This funding is exclusively available through the Weissman Center.  Sound too good to be true?  It’s not!  Take it from fellow Baruchian Danielle Hemsley who just returned from her internship in Valencia, Spain.

Read more about Danielle’s insight on the application process and her internship experience:

http://gradbaruchian.com/2012/07/09/weissman-travel-grant/

So if partaking in an internship abroad is on your wishlist, now’s the time!  Head on over to the Weissman Center and set up an appointment for our Work Abroad program.  We’re located next to Baruch’s Newman Library at 137 East 25th Street (8th Floor).  We hope to see you soon!

03/30/12

Working Abroad in Hungary


By Emily Wong

I travelled to Budapest, Hungary through AIESEC Baruch in the summer of 2011 to teach kindergarten kids English.  This experience has been challenging and life-changing for me in so many ways.  Before going on this internship, I thought I knew everything about travelling before this internship, but I’ve learned a lot from it.  I was really nervous going to Budapest by myself, but the reception was so welcoming that I felt comfortable during the 7 weeks I stayed there.  Although it was a huge culture shock in the beginning, there were people from AIESEC there to help me settle down, translate, and to take me to local places.  I explored the city as much as I could and did many things that I would’ve never done in New York, like spelunking, cooking over an open fire, and meeting people from around the world.  Hungary is certainly a hidden gem in Eastern Europe and I’m certain I’ll be back there soon!

What year are you? What’s your major?

I’m currently a sophomore at Baruch College majoring in marketing.

 Why did you choose this destination?

Initially, I wanted to go somewhere in Western Europe or South America, but I decided to choose a place that was completely new as an experience.

 What were your primary responsibilities?

My responsibilities included planning and teaching English lessons/songs, help the other teachers dress and feed the kids when they needed help, and just interact with them as much as I could.

 What was most challenging about working in a foreign country or in that specific role? What did you enjoy most about working in a foreign country?

I think one of the most challenging aspects of my experience was the language barrier.  I was in a country that was fresh out of communism and with one of the most complicated languages there is.  My kids were very young (ages 2-6) and were very confused with the English songs and phrases at first.  One of the things I enjoyed the most about my internship was the chance to meet a lot of people from various countries around the world.  Because I went on an internship through AIESEC, members from this organization would constantly check up on how I was doing and take me out to visit local and tourist places around the city.

What were some of the cultural differences between the U.S. and Hungary?

One of the biggest cultural differences I noticed while in Hungary was the fact that everything wasn’t as fast paced as it is in New York.  In the city, it wasn’t crowded and people weren’t always rushing off to somewhere else.  Stores and restaurants would close around 6pm and 2pm on Sundays.  This was something that was really strange to me because I was used to having places open late or even 24 hours.  Another cultural difference I noticed was that people in that society were trusted easier than in ours.  For the train and bus tickets, passengers would board and once in a while, there would be a conductor that checks for the ticket.  It’s completely random and there is a fine if you are caught without a ticket.

What are some tips for students who are thinking of working abroad?

I think one of the most important tips you can get is to step outside of your comfort zone.  Go somewhere you’ve never been before.  Do something you’ve never done before.  Eat foods that you’ve never eaten before. My first week in Hungary was such a culture shock, that I wasted it staying at home after work and not exploring the city as I should have.  So take advantage of the opportunity that is offered to you!

01/24/12

Working Abroad in Italy

Junior Ashley Tagg, a Corporate Communications major, spent eight weeks in Rome teaching English to students at a summer camp alongside teachers from Russia, Poland, Turkey, Egypt, and Guatemala.

What were your responsibilities as an English teacher?

I planned one hour blocks of instruction based on the children’s ages. If they were younger, I would teach them about the weather or songs.  Each day two hours were dedicated to theater, etc. We put on performances for the parents and the end of the week.  Each week was dedicated to learning about a different country [where each of the teachers were from].

When it was time for the U.S., I made brownies. Apparently, brownies don’t exist there! I thought how people saw us was as ‘hamburgers and hotdogs,’ …but it’s actually as breakfast foods like muffins and pancakes.

What was the most difficult part of working abroad?

We [the teachers] had to identify flaws in our teaching to figure out the best way to teach the kids.

What was your most memorable experience?

There were so many different challenges in a cultural work environment, adapting to the experience and empathizing with others.

Everyone there is very generous and genuine. ..Everyone said “hi” whether they knew you or not. The parents got to know you. They would take you out after work or on the weekends. It’s easier to work there. I felt more carefree. I learned to breathe this summer.

Any tips for students thinking about working abroad?

Do it! It’s a great experience to get work experience while abroad.

When placed in a difficult position, it’s good to reevaluate yourself.

Get out of your comfort zone and see what you’re really like when away from friends and family.

Work ethic is different across the globe in terms of ethics and leadership.