GRIP, Internships Abroad Preciously Present

Business in Sydney, Australia

If I had to describe my GRIP experience in Sydney in one word, it would be: present. Oftentimes at Penn and in college in general, I felt like I was always catching up or barely making it there. Yet this summer, I was able to be present in every moment and live through every experience.

For starters, this was my first experience being abroad alone and for a long period of time. I was very nervous about moving across the country with people I had never met prior to the program, but I reminded myself to take things one step at a time. Being present allowed me to create meaningful friendships and relationships with people I can see myself being lifelong friends with. There were always people willing to do things like sightseeing, working out, getting food, shopping, and much more; getting to know other students representing so many different communities at Penn was a rewarding experience and one that I will cherish forever. Even on days when I felt overwhelmed and needed a night in, I felt welcome to take time for myself which felt refreshing from feeling like there was always something to be done.

Another goal I had for the summer was to explore my intellectual curiosity and better understand my personal values and what I would want in my career or professional positions moving forward. Through committing to being present at my job every day, I learned a few insights that could help with my future career search: I like having to constantly work with others, being able to tie in sustainability with investing, and working on multiple projects to keep my interest stimulated. I also learned what I don’t love as much—like how open-ended research can be and the feeling of working a desk job. Being present allowed me to better understand myself and how I can look for companies or types of roles that align with my preferences and lifestyle.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that I was able to grow so much as a person and learn the importance of something as simple as being present. I genuinely feel like I have crossed off everything from my Sydney and summer bucket list and did so in a way that allowed me to live in every moment. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to participate in GRIP’s Business in Sydney program and cannot wait to see what the future holds.