Five weeks ago, when I arrived in London, I felt a mix of emotions. Looking back, I was definitely nervous—being in a new country with a different culture in a bustling city. However, I was also really excited, knowing this would be an amazing opportunity and that I would learn so much from this experience.
Fast forward five weeks, and as I write this, the first three words that come to mind are “grateful, prepared, and fulfilled.” Studying abroad in London has been an amazing opportunity where I’ve not only learned so much in my internship, but also about myself. It’s safe to say I now have much more confidence in myself and won’t be as nervous or timid next time I travel to a new country or city by myself. As silly as it sounds, I also learned to be more patient, as I’ve gotten used to the commute times, typical train delays, and slower WiFi speeds here. While I’m aware of how fortunate I am, I still notice that I take a lot for granted growing up in the US, and I’m so thankful to be able to recognize the value of these experiences.
My first word is “Grateful.” I remember it being mentioned in class how many students get the opportunity to travel abroad. While I don’t recall the exact number, I remember being shocked when the actual percentage was revealed, as I had thought it was much higher.
As a global management major, these international experiences are very important to strengthening my in-class learning about how different cultures and countries operate. Seeing firsthand examples of the differences between UK work culture and US work culture in my internship has been fascinating. I still find it surprising how laid-back the UK work culture is and how most people don’t find it necessary to work past their scheduled hours. They prioritize their life outside of work and schedule multiple holidays a year, which is really shocking to me. For example, I have two colleagues I directly report to, and they’ve only been in the office together three times, as one or the other has always been on holiday or have decided to work from home.
I’m so grateful to be able to see these differences and have this opportunity to learn. While many of my tasks have been minimal and mostly in the background, I’ve learned so much about the fashion industry and the stages products go through to reach their final destination: the customer.
Building off these internship experiences, my second word is “prepared.” While it’s only a six-week program and I won’t complete all my tasks, this internship provides a valuable addition to my resume. It marks my first experience in luxury/high fashion, contrasting with my previous experiences in mass-market fashion. Initially, I hadn’t considered a career in the luxury sector, but this internship has opened my eyes. The meticulous care, time, and craftsmanship involved in luxury clothing have sparked a new interest in textiles and garment construction for me.
As I approach my junior year of college, next year’s summer internship holds significant importance. A successful performance will likely lead to a full-time offer. With a deeper understanding of the intricacies of a fashion company, I now feel much more confident in applying for positions, knowing my experiences make me a strong candidate with good knowledge in the field. Working for a small company has also tested and, in return, strengthened my problem-solving skills as I’ve taken on numerous tasks outside of my expertise.
As I wrap up this experience, I can’t help but feel “fulfilled.” I’ve gained far more from this trip than I could have imagined. I’ve made new friends whom I’ll stay in touch with, experienced a vibrant city with amazing people and beautiful scenery, and delved into the rich history of London through my analyzing and exploring class. My admiration for the city has grown immensely, and while I probably won’t be back anytime soon, London now has a place in my heart that I hope to visit again.
