As a young college student tasked with independently navigating an exciting new country while simultaneously having the responsibilities of a full-time working adult, time management skills are essential. Being in a (somewhat) foreign country, there are infinite things to explore. It is thrilling and beyond liberating to have these two months to venture through as many arrondissements as possible, and truly discover everything that Paris has to offer. However, I must remind myself why I am here, and that is to work as an intern at the Foundation Scelles non-profit organization.
It is difficult to manage time regardless of your situation, but it is especially difficult when you are fully immersed in a new culture and becoming acquainted with a fresh environment. Luckily, I learned how to efficiently manage my time throughout high school and into college, yet there will always be obstacles.
Before you can even begin to prioritize what it is you need to accomplish, you must communicate with your supervisor. Like time management, communication is a necessary skill needed when working abroad. You must establish what their expectations are for you, and what they are looking for in an intern. Once you have a clear understanding of what they need, you can better prioritize your responsibilities and mirror the workplace culture.
Something that I’ve noticed in the professional world during my time at a European NGO is how differently work and expectations are structured in comparison to a typical office job in America. For instance, I am used to a set schedule with detail oriented tasks handed to me to complete, yet it is not as linear of a path here. There is much more creative freedom, and you are encouraged to take initiate and mold your work in a way that best supports your organization’s mission.
In addition to this, there is also a cultural difference in the definition of productivity. In America, this concept is measured from a quantitative standpoint, with efficiency in numbers as a top priority. By contrast, I have observed that it is more impactful to concentrate on the quality of work and pay careful attention to detail with each task at hand. In my internship specifically, I have been conducting extensive research regarding international policies aimed at combatting the demand for prostitution and comparing the application of the Equality Model within different countries. The project itself does not have a concrete checklist, as it requires more analysis rather than a set number of tasks. With these evaluations, it is especially important that I focus on how I gather my information and which impactful leaders I can get in contact with as opposed to how many I can find at once. It is much more significant to communicate with someone who is passionate about making a change and examining their methods in full depth.
I truly value the work that I’m doing at this foundation, and I recognize how crucial it is, as well as how heavy the topic can be. With this in mind, I know that I must stay focused throughout my work day, not just to manage my time effectively but also so that I can work without any distraction. I keep my phone on Do Not Disturb, and most days I put it away altogether. This not only allows me to get more done, but it also forces me to concentrate my responsibilities at hand. Without a phone tempting me to sidetrack my work, I am able to pay closer attention to detail and internalize my findings. My job especially requires a lot of empathy and understanding, so it is essential that I am emotionally present during the day.
Overall, I am also a college student in France, so naturally I am going to want to explore the city and have some fun. My time abroad is not solely to gain professional experience through an internship, but also to immerse myself in the culture and allow myself to try new things. That is why it is so important to be able to manage time in a productive manner. By prioritizing my tasks at the workplace throughout the week, I am able to have fun on the weekends and sustain a healthy work-life balance.
