UC Berkeley student mixes work and adventure in Paris

18 Mar UC Berkeley student mixes work and adventure in Paris

Last summer, Clara Katsman , a Business Administration major at University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, flew from California to Paris not just for leisure, but not purely for business either. She spent eight weeks interning with Captag – Human Digital Events, a French event tech company working with brands on digital and hybrid professional events, while also immersing herself in the rhythm, culture, and beauty of Europe.

“I had the privilege of living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.”

It was a summer of jumpstarting her global career, sharpening her industry skills, broadening her perspective, and building a network that crosses borders. In many ways, it was the formula for a summer well spent.

From Berkeley classrooms to Paris boardrooms

At UC Berkeley, Clara studies business strategy, leadership, and innovation. But Paris offered something different. It gave her the chance to apply those concepts in a real international setting.

Her responsibilities at Captag included working on marketing, writing copies and creating visuals. She also prospected and identified potential new customers from scratch and supported existing clients. These were not passive tasks. They required initiative, clarity in communication, and the confidence to contribute in a professional, global environment.

Picture your daily commute looking like this

Yet her role extended even further.

Backed by the Captag team, Clara led the company’s U.S. expansion strategy. She identified growth goals, improved internal processes, and created communications specifically tailored to the American market.

Her background played an important role here. As a U.S.-based student studying business at UC Berkeley, she has a good understanding of the nuances of American consumer expectations, communication styles, and market positioning. That perspective gave her insights that were both practical and culturally informed.

Lunch break!

For an intern, leading aspects of a U.S. expansion strategy is no small responsibility. Rather than simply observing international business, Clara was helping drive it. Opportunities like this happen when an internship is designed to recognize and utilize a student’s strengths.

“Huge thank you to the amazing Captag team for welcoming me with open arms and nurturing my creativity. I’m proud to have contributed to a company doing impactful work in the global event tech space,” Clara wrote in a LinkedIn post.

Growth beyond the job description

Beyond the business metrics and marketing strategy, Clara’s time in Paris required her to navigate cultural nuances, collaborate across different backgrounds, and communicate clearly in a new professional context. For some, that kind of adjustment can feel overwhelming, but for Clara, it confirmed that she was exactly where she was meant to be.

“This experience deepened my commitment to building an international career, while challenging me to adapt quickly and thrive in globally diverse environments,” she shared.

Posing by the Arc de Triomphe

The growth did not stop at the office doors. Paris itself became part of the learning experience. Between workdays, Clara explored the city’s neighborhoods, architecture, and café culture. On weekends, she traveled to other European cities, expanding her worldview far beyond a single destination.

There is something powerful about living abroad, even temporarily. Ordering coffee in another language, understanding local customs, navigating unfamiliar transportation systems. These everyday moments quietly build independence, resilience, and confidence.

For Clara, Paris was not just a workplace. It was a classroom without walls.

A summer that reshaped perspective

Spending eight weeks in Paris blurred the lines between work and exploration in the best way possible. Clara was building presentations during the week and building memories on weekends. She was refining marketing communications while discovering new cities and new perspectives.

But her experience wasn’t just shaped by the workplace or the city itself. Through the internship program, Clara formed friendships with fellow students from around the world, connections built over weekend trips and conversations about career goals and cultural differences.

A weekend in London

She also took part in organized cultural activities that brought the group deeper into Parisian life. Those moments created a sense of community that made living abroad feel less intimidating and far more meaningful.

That balance is what makes international internships uniquely transformative. They challenge you professionally and stretch you personally at the same time. You grow in the office, and you grow in the in-between moments.

“I highly recommend this program to students looking to boost their resume and travel the world. And a special thank you to our incredible program coordinators for [their] support every step of the way,” Clara commented.

“Thank you to Absolute Internship for this transformative opportunity! Although leaving France is bittersweet, I am excited to begin my senior year at UC Berkeley.”

Her journey shows that global careers do not begin after graduation. They can begin now. They begin the moment you step outside your comfort zone and into something bigger.

Not just for leisure. Not just for business. But for growth.

If you’re ready to combine professional ambition with global exploration, send us a message and start your own international internship journey. Like Clara, you can build your career while discovering the world.