By Marina Ruiz

 

From State College to Santiago, Chile, it was a major leap deciding to travel to a different country. Studying abroad in Santiago during the Spring 2020 term has pushed me out of my comfort zone and opened new doors. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity, to study abroad and explore internship opportunities. 

 

Application Process:

When applying for study abroad programs you may want to take note if they offer internship opportunities. Often times the Program will help place you with a company and industry that is right for you. After applying for my program I sent my resumé and cover letter in Spanish with a list of interests. I then talked with my academic advisor in Chile about potential companies to work with, she was extremely helpful and later set up an interview. When I arrived in Chile, I went in to meet the team and interview for my position. Applying for a job in a different language definitely made me nervous, but my team was very understanding and patient. 

 

My Company: 

I interned with LivinnX Santiago, LivinnX is the first building of CA Ventures in Chile, a multinational expert in Student Housing in the United States. With 144 apartments and more than 400 beds, this new concept of housing in Santiago has become the best meeting point for the student community from countries all around the world. 

 

My Role:

I worked on public relations, analytics, SEO, marketing strategies, and general office assignments. During my internship, I became heavily involved with social media tactics and how to engage different students from different countries. I helped look at, break down, and improve data results on the website. From street teaming to virtual campaigns, I gained an international perspective on marketing. 

 

Challenges: 

It was definitely challenging putting myself out there to talk to co-workers and residents all day in a second language but it has helped me become more confident and grow. I had to learn new vocabulary in Spanish that I was not familiar with using but this will only help me in the future. 

 

Benefits: 

This internship has helped my career goals by improving my communication skills for example when I can not understand, I have learned a way to explain in a different way or continue to ask questions. I have a new understanding of diversity and inclusion when I meet someone who speaks English as a second language and what value they bring to the table. Finally, I have expanded my network on an international level.