Tag: Work Abroad

05/8/13
New Delhi Rickshaws | Image via Flickr

Student Stars – Thuy Dao: Green Marketing in New Delhi

New Delhi Rickshaws | Image via Flickr
New Delhi Rickshaws | Image via Flickr

Thuy Dao received a travel grant from the Weissman Center for International Business to support her work aboard experience. If you’d like more information about work abroad and the travel grant click here.

Name: Thuy Dao

Major: Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability

For senior Thuy Dao, working overseas was an opportunity that she just could not pass up.  What she did not expect was to receive the opportunity to pitch innovative eco-friendly products to the local government of New Delhi.

Thuy worked for Prothsahan Team, a NGO that focuses on ‘green’ environmentally-friendly initiatives by creating awareness in the local community and proposing green solutions to the local government.  The organization also provides education in computer-related skills to children and youth who fall below the poverty line to better prepare them for work.

I recently had the great fortune to ask Thuy some questions about her experience.  Here’s what she had to say:

Q: Hi Thuy, so to start things off, where did you intern?

A: New Delhi, India.  I worked for the Prothsahan Team.

Q: Nice!  Can you tell us what some of your responsibilities included?

A: Responsibilities included making presentations and teaching plan according to the targeted audience — from children in orphanages to workers at corporate level.  Also, I established connection with multiple companies to raise awareness.

Q: Raise awareness?

A: Yes, as part of the job description, I marketed new green products to local government of New Delhi.

Q: That sounds exciting!  What was the reason why you chose India as the country for your work abroad experience?

I wanted to immerse myself in new culture and do something meaningful at the same time.

Q: Did your experience change your outlook on academic or career choices?

A: Well, before the trip I was very passionate about environmental law and I hoped to make some changes for the environment in New Delhi, but when I arrived I realized that there were more pressing matters to these citizens like making money to feed their family.

Q: Could you elaborate more about the economic situation you observed in New Delhi in relation to your internship?

A: I learned that for many people living in New Delhi, it is a luxury to think about environmental issues. The mentality is that people that can afford to worry about environmental issues should contribute what they can to help improve the lives of those that ‘cannot spare the time.’  Despite this, it was still exciting to be able to market new green products to the local government – these products would certainly help the city with solving a few problems related to environmental concerns.

Q: Wow, that certainly is a unique perspective.  To wrap up this Q & A, can you tell us a bit about what you enjoyed most about working overseas?

A: I enjoyed forging bonds with other interns I have met on this trip, learning about a new culture, traveling around the Northern part of India, and establishing connections with companies so new coming interns for the same project can continue where we left off.

Q: Great!  Thank you for telling us about your experience!

Thuy’s work abroad is a testament to the amazing talent at Baruch, and for that, we salute Thuy as one of our many Student Stars!

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.

08/6/12

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!

03/19/12

Working Abroad in India


By Analucia Castillo

I went to India this past summer. It was the best summer I have had in my entire college career. I did not know what was going to happen when I signed up. When I arrived, I was excited to be part of the school I went to. The internship and the things that happened during that summer have changed my life. I am happy that I went through AIESEC because otherwise I could not have been able to meet the people I met, and do the things I did while I was in India.

 

What year are you? What’s your major?

I am senior International Business student graduating this spring (2012).

Where did you go? Why did you choose this destination?

I went to Ahmedabad, India. I chose this destination because I was really interested in the Indian culture and wanted to take a risk by going to India.

What was your job title? What were your primary responsibilities?

My job title was assistant teacher. I had a class of deaf student from the ages of 7 to 9 years old. I taught them the numbers and colors in English. I lived in a hostel and I was in charge of coordinating activities such as a camp fire and dance night.

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?

The most challenging about working in a foreign country is being out of your element. I was also challenged in my role with not having enough authority over my students since most of the times they saw me as a friend and not as a teacher. I enjoyed being challenged. It was a way for me to connect with my fellow interns as well as talk to them about their culture. We were able to bond in ways that I wouldn’t be able to with another student I didn’t have the chance to live with.

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

The major cultural difference was the gender issue. We wanted to rent a scooter just to roam around and we were not able to get someone to give it to us unless we had a guy to rent it. Another difference was the sense of independence and being constantly looked after. On one side it made total sense because we were their first interns, but on the other we were adults responsible for our own actions.

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

I would recommend students to ask questions about the place where they are going to live while working abroad; If they will be living with other interns or by themselves? Will they be able to travel to other places while living there? Etc. It is normal to miss your family but they will always be your support no matter how far away you are. Just remember to enjoy the time that you have there. You will only do it probably once in your life time, so take it all in!

p.s. remember to get traveler’s insurance just in case anything gets stolen.