GRIP: Lien Centre for Social Innovation in Singapore Singapore is one of the most unique places I’ve ever experienced. It’s not just a country — it’s also a city, and somehow it manages to feel both global and local at the same time. Located near the equator, it’s warm and humid all year round. The…
GRIP: Business in Sydney, Australia Dear Pre-GRIP Isabella, You looked at your signed GRIP commitment contract, thinking, “What did I just get myself into?” As you made your travel and internship placement arrangements, you processed that you were actually spending this summer away from home. Not just an Amtrak ride away, but a 22-hour plane…
GRIP: Wine, Heritage, and Hospitality in Porto, Portugal On my last day in Porto, Portugal I looked out towards the Dom Luís I Bridge stretching over the Douro River and tears poured down my face. I wasn’t prepared to leave the incredible people I had met during my GRIP experience and had been dreading my…
GRIP: Engineering Research in Aachen, Germany Global experiences are extremely important because they force people outside of their comfort zone. Aside from the expected differences such as language, food, and culture, having an experience in a global setting transforms one’s views in a multitude of ways. For me, my global experience meant trying as many…
GRIP: Engineering Research in Aachen, Germany I arrived in sunny and lush Aachen 12 days ago, and have since developed some semblance of routine. On most weekdays, I utilize the city’s excellent public transit system to bus from my dorm, close to the border of the Netherlands, over to campus research and learning facilities. I…
GRIP: Media in Seoul in Seoul, South Korea Embarking upon my summer journey in Seoul as a marketing intern has brought forth already many unforgettable experiences, blending creative workdays with the vibrant energy of this dynamic city. From navigating new neighborhoods, collecting photobooth memories with friends, to sharing delicious meals, every moment brings something new…
GRIP: Eurolife FHH in Athens, Greece A key skill that I developed was the process of making a decision on an investment opportunity. Coming in, I thought it was mainly about the technical aspect and numbers that drive a decision to invest in a company, bond, or option, but that there is so much more…
GRIP: PR and Marketing in Bangkok, Thailand Thai is not a very easy language to pick up as a foreigner. In all my time in Bangkok, I collected at most a handful basic phrases, each used to varying degrees of success. Hello. Yes (and no). Could I get this? Please go slowly (this was useful…
GRIP: Taipei City Government in Taipei, Taiwan If this internship has taught me anything, it’s that your location and environment shapes you in more ways than you think. Your environment doesn’t just shape your habits—it influences how you think, communicate, and even perceive yourself. This summer, I was an intern at Taipei City Government Department…
GRIP: Nursing Research in Dublin, Ireland I have nothing but gratitude for the GRIP experience still, looking back. There was nothing to be wasted out of all that I was able to engage in, from the work and research-related aspects, to the life skills fully realized and gained. To expand on the first aspect: this…