Internships Abroad, GRIP Navigating Internships Abroad

GRIP: Social Impact in Buenos Aires

Since I was a child, I have been passionate about urban planning and architecture’s potential to create a fairer world for humanity and the environment. Involving myself in these fields has always been a hobby of mine. I have shared this passion one-on-one with urban planners, community advocates, and leaders in the construction industry. I have researched and proposed a re-design for a major traffic corridor to make it safer for all road users and presented a vision for a park system aimed at combating social fragmentation. However, until GRIP in Buenos Aires, I had never delved into this passion outside of an academic or recreational context.

Interning as a research assistant at Centro de Estudios Economicos Urbanos (CEEU) was the first time I explored this field in a professional work environment. Undertaking an internship in a field you are passionate about, yet in a setting and country you are unfamiliar with, comes with its own set of challenges. If you are considering interning abroad, I hope these pieces of advice gathered from my experience can help make the adjusting process smoother.

Honest Communication is Key

A smooth internship process is grounded in honest communication and should begin from the application stage. Being clear about the skills you possess and those you want to develop further allowed me to find an internship that best fit my profile and aspirations. Once at the office, being honest about the feasibility of deadlines and project deliverables allowed my team and me to delegate tasks and work most efficiently.

Get to Know Your Coworkers

One of my favorite things about interning at CEEU was collaborating and learning from the team. Argentinian work culture places great value on forming interpersonal relationships beyond a simple greeting and small talk. I fondly remember getting to know my coworkers beyond discussing our projects. Taking advantage of lunch time to have genuine conversations made the internship experience more enjoyable and provided us with a network that may last beyond the program end date.

Discuss Your Work With Others

While it is important to work proactively, I recommend making it a habit to discuss your work with others. Whether it be to ask for advice or present something you are proud of, talking about your contributions to the project is a great way to show your progression and openness to new ideas.

By embracing honest communication, building relationships with coworkers, and actively discussing my work, I navigated the complexities of working in a new environment and culture. For anyone considering an internship abroad, I hope these strategies can help ensure a smooth transition and a fulfilling experience.