Colombia Placement = Amazing Opportunities
By: Juan Lopez
Group of Interns in Santa Marta
Coming into the Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP), my only expectation of Medellín was the high temperature it’s known for. The first week hit me hard: I knew fewer than 5 people, I was told I had 7 AM to 5 PM workdays and on top of that I had two British colleagues from Newcastle whose accents I struggled to understand, all while enduring the heat of my room after I came back from work as there was no fan.
However, as the weeks went by, I was able to form a close bond with my coworkers, Ted and Benji. This bond formed, due to their lack of being able to speak Spanish and me having to translate for them. Eventually we became close to the point where we had our own inside jokes at work and we began to spend time together outside work. This friendship was thanks to this unique global opportunity. I can’t say for sure if my experience would have been the same without them, but I’m grateful for the six weeks we shared together.
Many interns were Penn students, but the GRIP program allowed me to meet incredible Penn individuals I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. These new connections brought a sense of familiarity, especially after completing my second year at Penn.
The internship gave me firsthand experience in financial auditing within the Colombian context. This exposure initiated my interest in potentially pursuing a career in a related field, and I’m excited about exploring future internships and professional opportunities in this field.
Colombian culture is vibrant and captivating, and the people are incredibly friendly. Even as a native Spanish speaker, I initially struggled with the local dialect, noticing differences between Mexican and Colombian Spanish. This cultural and linguistic immersion added an intriguing layer to my overall experience.
One memorable weekend, we organized a trip to Santa Marta and Palomino, joined by nearly half of the Colombian interns. This group excursion pushed me out of my comfort zone and encouraged me to try something new. While on a boat in the middle of the ocean, I decided to attempt a backflip for the first time. With some coaching from my peer Jordan, I managed to nail the backflip on my first try. This exhilarating experience was a highlight of the trip, pushing me to embrace new challenges and enjoy the thrill of adventure. Trying new things in Santa Marta with everyone made it an unforgettable experience, enriching my time in Colombia beyond the professional aspect of the internship.
In summary, my GRIP internship in Medellín was a transformative journey that expanded my professional skills, my cultural understanding, and created lasting friendships. I’m thankful for this opportunity and look forward to applying these lessons in my future endeavors.
The Global Research and Internship Program (GRIP) provides outstanding undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to intern or conduct research abroad for 8 to 12 weeks over the summer. Participants gain career-enhancing experience and global exposure that is essential in a global workforce.