One Internship, Five Countries

30 Apr One Internship, Five Countries

You know what’s more impressive than going to Paris for an internship? Going to Paris for an internship and using that opportunity to explore the rest of Europe.

Take it from @Kaitlyn van Dusen, a Business Marketing student at the @University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who spent last summer making the most of her time abroad. While her internship was based in Paris, she decided to further expand her horizons.

During the week, she worked at her Marketing internship in Paris. On the weekends, she packed her bags and set off to see more of the continent, visiting countries like Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, and Spain. Balancing work and travel was not always easy, but for Kaitlyn, it became a very meaningful part of the experience.

Exploring Bordeaux, a city in Southwestern France

By the end of the summer, she had not only gained professional experience in France but also traveled across Europe, turning her international internship into a season of discovery, growth, and unforgettable memories.

“This internship has been a transformative experience, both personally and professionally,” she said. “I had an amazing time and loved becoming more confident in myself. I had such a good summer where I really grew as an individual.”

Welcoming the unfamiliar

Living in a new country, even just for a few months, comes with challenges that you cannot fully prepare for. There are language barriers, cultural differences, unfamiliar streets, new transportation systems, and even a different currency to get used to. It can feel overwhelming for most, but Kaitlyn chose to embrace the unfamiliar instead of being intimidated by it.

Greetings from Ireland!

During her time in Paris, she interned with French photo production company @Unique Agency, where she worked with a diverse team and experienced a professional environment very different from what she was used to in the United States. Rather than feeling discouraged by the differences, she saw them as part of the experience and an opportunity to grow.

“I met so many new people. Working with a diverse team has broadened my perspective and taught me the importance of adaptability,” she observed. 

Next stop: Switzerland

Kaitlyn didn’t stop there, of course. Instead of staying in Paris and settling into a routine, she chose the excitement that comes with leaving her comfort zone. She balanced professional responsibilities with personal travel, which wasn’t easy, as doing both at the same time required planning and flexibility.

Each trip meant figuring out transportation in a new country, adjusting to different customs, and sometimes communicating across language barriers. Whether it was navigating train stations in Switzerland or finding her way through the streets of Ireland, every destination came with its own challenges. Those challenges, however, were exactly what made the experience so meaningful.

Hotel Traiano in Rome, Italy

The loveliest cows in Switzerland

Casa Batlló, Barcelona

The famous flower sellers of Grafton Street in Dublin, Ireland

A marvelous photo of the Eiffel Tower, taken by Kaitlyn

Traveling while interning ultimately taught her how to adapt quickly, stay organized, and handle unexpected situations with confidence. She learned to become comfortable in situations that once felt intimidating, both in the workplace and while exploring new countries. These are lessons that cannot be learned in a classroom alone, but are skills that can significantly help students succeed in their future careers.

Building real marketing experience abroad

While traveling was a big part of her summer, Kaitlyn was also gaining valuable experience in her field. At Unique Agency, she worked on real projects that allowed her to apply what she had learned in school to a professional environment.

Her responsibilities included conducting market research and analysis, managing several social media accounts, and helping develop and execute marketing strategies. Working in a fast-paced setting taught her how to communicate clearly, stay organized, and think creatively.

Lastly, Rome

“Living and working in this city has been an amazing experience,” she remarked. “My internship has allowed me to develop new skills and gain practical experience in digital marketing.”

Working abroad also gave her a broader view of how marketing works in different parts of the world. Being part of an international team showed her how culture, audience, and business practices can influence the way companies communicate.

Growth that goes beyond the classroom

Experiences like navigating new countries, working with people from different backgrounds, and solving problems on the go show future employers that a student is willing to take initiative, step outside their comfort zone, and grow from new challenges.

If Kaitlyn’s story sounds like the kind of summer you want, you can make it happen too. An international internship is not just about gaining work experience. It is about discovering new places, meeting people from around the world, and learning things you cannot learn in a classroom.

Whether you want to intern in Paris, travel across Europe on weekends, or challenge yourself in a completely new environment, the right program can help you get there.

Take the chance. Go abroad. Grow in ways you never expected. Send us a message to learn how you can start your own international internship journey.