Sinead Hossain tells us about her time spent studying in Strasbourg and then on a work placement in Paris. Take it away Sinead!
For my year abroad, I decided to take on both a study and work placement in France to make the most of both experiences. I spent my first semester studying in Strasbourg, and an internship in Paris. From these two experiences, I’ve gained valuable insights into the benefits and challenges of each.
Study in Strasbourg
One of the best things about studying in Strasbourg was the flexibility it offered. I could choose my own courses and class times, which gave me more free time to participate in ESN events and pick up new sports through the university clubs. This was a great way to meet local students and try different things! Strasbourg’s location, right on the border of Germany and Switzerland, also made it easy to travel, and I made sure to always have a weekend trip planned to explore nearby cities!
The semester exchange program, specifically for international students, allowed me to meet people from all over the world! However, since most students only spoke English, I didn’t have as many opportunities to practice French. Working on group projects with people from various cultural backgrounds was challenging, as it required time to adjust to different working styles. That said, I truly loved learning about different cultures and hearing the unique perspectives of others along the way!
Internship in Paris
With my internship in Paris, I’ve settled into a routine. While the workdays are longer, the work experience is incredibly insightful. The office primarily uses French, which gives me the opportunity to really improve my language skills!
With a busier schedule, I’ve learned to make time during the week and taking advantage of the weekends for exploring. I’ve enjoyed meeting other interns in the office for lunch and connecting with people my age. While it can be harder to meet new people outside of work, joining Erasmus student groups has been a great way to build friendships.
The biggest challenge so far has been how quickly time is flying by—it’s been a reminder to enjoy every moment of this amazing experience!
Queen’s student, Emily Bond talks us through her experiences working abroad during her studies.
After completing a year in industry at RAL Space in Oxfordshire, I entered the final year of my MEng Aerospace Engineering degree at Queen’s with an ambition to try more and embrace the opportunities around me. Throughout my degree much of my work was based in modern, cosmopolitan-type environments with my degree based in Belfast, conferences in Europe, and completing a research internship in Canada. All these experiences focused on developing my technical knowledge in engineering, primarily composite materials. However undertaking other experiences such as InnovateHer, She Leads, and Sustainable Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, inspired me to explore the world of entrepreneurship and consultancy as a career.
The Think Pacific Global Team Internship (GTI) in Bali offered the opportunity to test my skills in consultancy, explore traditional Balinese culture, and work in an international environment. After an application and suitability/ motivations for applying call, I was accepted in November to join the first cohort arriving in June 2024. From acceptance in November to departure in June, preparation involved payment of project fees, visa application, vaccines, organising flights, and purchasing kit. To support my travel to Bali I also completed a fundraising 10km swim which helped fund my visa application.
Despite all preparations complete, I found myself in May doubting whether I wanted to attend or not, a question that lasted a few weeks. Taking some time to reflect, I realised that with my focus having been on exams until May it was natural that I would begin to question my direction with the future sometimes being intimidating with choice. With this feeling, I packed my bags and on the 2nd June began my next adventure.
Receiving the Sir Thomas Dixon travel scholarship allowed me to support the cost of my three flights from Belfast, with stops in Stansted and Dubai. The project started with a two-day briefing that included a brief history of Bali, details of the projects, and language lesson. Learning basic Balinese and Bahasa Indonesian phrases such as Suksma – Thank you, and Nama Saya Emily – My name is Emily, proved helpful when interacting with services and businesses.
Staying in the hotel also allowed time to meet the other 46 participants including those I would share a room and homestay with as well as members of the same project team. The first few days also allowed adjustment to a new time zone which can be challenging with additional fatigue.
Top tip: adjust your watch to the time zone you’re going to and try to sleep with their night even if it’s in short blocks.
Following the briefing, I travelled to Bali Kuno Tangkup for a dedicated cultural immersion experience led by locals. The camp included sleeping in bamboo and straw buildings with 8 other participants, sharing outdoor rain-water showers, and cooking local Balinese food including Mi Goreng – noodles with vegetables. The time also included further team bonding and developing appreciation for the efforts of rice field workers by completing activities in the muddy rice field and helping to plant rice seeds afterwards. After evening food, we gathered around a fire to sing typical western pop culture songs, giving a sense of home and a feeling of connection. I found the experience at Bali Kuno an opportunity to breath and embrace a more traditional and natural way of living that is a contrast to city life. With stronger group familiarity and time to adjust to the new time zone, we travelled from Bali Kuno to Mas Village where we would spend the remaining project time.
As is traditional for Balinese culture we were greeted with a welcoming ceremony where we presented with a fresh young coconut and Kalung Bunga (Flower necklace). The welcoming ceremony was also an opportunity to meet the homestay family who we would be living with. After the welcoming ceremony we walked to the homestay navigating uneven pavements (common in Bali) and stray dogs, before dinner and an opportunity to rest before the weekend. For the final weekend before project work began, I was fortunate to visit the Tegallalang Rice Terrace where I was able to develop an further appreciation for the work and patience involved in growing rice.
After a week of cultural immersion and education as well as team bonding with fellow participants, I felt an eagerness and curiosity to start the project work. For the first week I was fortunate to work with Magi Farm who utilise the lifecycle of the Black Soldier Fly to tackle food waste and create byproducts including fertiliser, dog food supplement, and fish food to produce a fully circular sustainable waste management system.
During the first meeting I was able to see how Magi Farm operates and their facilities as well as discuss with the co-founder beneficial outcomes for the week ahead. Throughout the week we worked as a team of 8 to deliver a path forward for Magi Farm, where I focused on developing a strategic plan to foster engagement and partnerships from events and business to business. Presenting the project at the end of the week allowed me to practice my public speaking skills and developing confidence in my ability to.
Following a weekend of reflection and exploration time in Canggu for a free weekend, I returned to Mas Village intrigued by the next project partner. For the second project partner I was grateful to work with Made Tea who utilise organic, sustainable, and all natural herbs and plants to create teas designed to promote wellbeing. Similar to Magi Farm, I was able to gain an insight into how Made Tea is run and operates by a single founder, Roni. It was highlighted early that Roni had a passion for helping those in the community of all including the younger generation.
Throughout the week I used my experience of design and design software to curate a new package design aimed at promoting energy in the younger generation. To support an interest in international partnerships I created a template for a partnership proposal to facilitate discussion. Presentation of the weeks work allowed further development of my presenting and public speaking skills.
To conclude the final week of project work after a weekend of exploring the local Ubud area and seeing a traditional Balinese fire dance, I was honoured to work with HNS Studio Bali, a graphic design and illustration business. HNS Studio Bali was an inspiration business as the founder began his journey while in university and has become an award-winning entrepreneur. However this success posed a challenge for how best to add value during the week. With some brainstorming as a team we identified scope for further more niche partnerships to which I continued on to develop a mock-up visualisation of his artwork as a background for DJ sets or festivals to increase visibility. Creating this visualisation allowed me to use and practice some of my design skills, appreciating transferable skills and the dedication to passion that people have.
Partaking in the Think Pacific GTI in Bali supported by the Sir Thomas Dixon Travel Scholarship and working with local Balinese companies allowed me to realise my passion for problem-solving across specialties as well as appreciate the diversity of culture that exists within our world. I was able to refine skills such as public speaking, generating presentations, and thinking outside the box for unfamiliar challenges; all skills of which will help me foster a successful future as I start my PhD in October with the School or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
Whether you are looking for a summer job, a placement or an internship, you can meet a host of employers from every industry with opportunities for students just like you. Here is who is registered to exhibit at the Work Experience and Placement Fair on 24 Feb.
Meet Michael Downey, one of our Go Global Ambassadors 2020. If you are thinking of following in his footsteps and spending a year or a semester abroad, he’s here to share his tips, tricks and wisdom with you.
“New York City has an energy like no other – it’s fast-paced and full of life! Certainly, when you compare it to the countryside in Dromore, Co. Down.”
As a Business Information Technology student, I made the decision to do a placement in one of the greatest cities in the world, New York City. The experience of living and working on NYC was a rollercoaster (and included a 4-month quarantine in Miami) but it’s been a life-changing experience. Here are just some of the reasons why….
The placement
I worked as a Software Developer for a SaaS start-up called On The Stage, and I joined at a time when the company was experiencing high growth – this was super exciting! My office was located on Broadway & W 54th St and my apartment in Amsterdam Ave & W 107th St, both in Manhattan so this was only a 20-minute subway ride which was super convenient.
The city
What can I say about the concrete jungle of NYC? The energy of the city is like no other – it’s fast-paced and full of life! Certainly, when you compare it to the countryside in Dromore, Co. Down. There’s too much to do in NYC and it never stops. Luckily, if you’re on an intern budget NYC has tons of FREE events to offer, I mean 100’s each day and it can be overwhelming deciding which event to go to.
If you’re worried about surviving financially on an intern salary in NYC, I’d advise you to create a budget and stick to it and you’ll be fine – this is actually a great learning experience as you learn how to manage your personal finances.
Part of my routine involved running around the 1.58-mile Reservoir Loop in Central Park before work. This run at 7.30 am in the morning was a beautiful start to the day as you could escape the mayhem, relax and enjoy the ambience. There were always thousands of people running and this really fueled my motivation to push harder and improve my run time
Sporting events
The beauty of living in a major city is that historic events are commonplace. Luckily, I was able to attend two notable sporting events: the 2019 US Open Tennis – Women’s Singles finals (Serena Williams was playing) and the PGA Tour National Trust Tournament (Rory McIlroy was playing)
On two occasions I also travelled to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to watch the Brooklyn Nets vs Miami Heat play in the NBA . An NBA game is an awesome experience, they really know how to put on a show. The game comprises 4 quarters with each quarter lasting 12 minutes but the whole show lasts 2 hours!
Escaping the city
In the winter, I travelled to Hunter Mountain Ski Resort with a group of friends for a weekend of snowboarding. This was just over a 2-hour drive from Manhattan which is like driving from Dublin to Belfast, so it’s not far, at least for American standards.
Food
New York City is among the world’s most dynamic culinary capitals.
Sampling new cuisines became a weekly routine. After trying Peruvian at a restaurant named Pio Pio on the Upper West Side I quickly fell in love with this amazing cuisine! Another favourite would have to be Japanese, the ramen from Totto Ramen in Midtown East and the sushi from Sugarfish in Soho were hands down my favorite. Totto Ramen was located within walking distance of my office which was perfect, especially on a chilly winter’s day, the warm broth was an excellent meal to get the blood flowing.
Culture
One of the J1-IWT visa requirements is to experience American culture and I believe this was fulfilled by attending a variety of iconic Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Fortunately, the CEO of On The Stage is also a Broadway producer so one of the perks of the job is to occasionally be offered free or discounted tickets. In 7-months I attended nine shows including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Hamilton, Slava Snowshow, The Rockettes, The Lion King, Tina The Musical, The Inheritance, Little Shop of Horrors and Riverdance.
Exploring the States
The United States is a huge and diverse place, every state is like its own country in terms of legislation, culture, people and the way of life – that’s what makes the country so special! I experienced this firsthand by travelling to multiple US cities, for example, Miami, Marco Island, Naples, Orlando and Tampa, FL, Houston, TX and Chicago, IL. Each city has a different flavour, culturally, Miami and Houston are extremely different compared to New York and Chicago – it’s interesting to visit and experience these diverse cities. Another fascinating comparison is the political views of the majority; Miami (Republican) vs New York City (Democratic). Here are just a few of my highlights:
Speaking Spanish in Miami
During quarantine, I spent 4-months living in Miami, so I truly experienced the Latin culture. The majority of people speak Spanish so if you want to practice your speaking and listening skills make a trip to Miami. Since 1st year I’ve been taking Spanish classes at Queen’s, so this was the perfect opportunity to improve my skills. I also enjoyed exploring the Latin cuisines; Cuban, Venezuela and Colombian. Miami is a cool city and its growing at a fast rate.
I also got the opportunity to visit Marco Island on the west coast of Florida, it is situated right on the Gulf of Mexico, so the ocean is beautiful as it is calm and warm – just a few degrees hotter than Portrush.
Visiting NASA
Houston is a modern city in terms of infrastructure and buildings. Everything is BIG, the houses, the cars, the food portion sizes etc. The locals are super friendly, you receive pleasant greetings when out and about. In Houston there is a huge Indian and Vietnamese community, so you see a lot of these restaurants around the city.
The highlight of this trip was visiting the NASA Johnson Space Center, which is home to Mission Control and astronaut training. The behind-the-scenes Tram Tour was amazing, I saw the Saturn V rocket, which is the tallest, heaviest and most powerful rocket ever flown. NASA used the Saturn V rockets during the Apollo program to send Americans to the Moon.
Chicago
Chicago is a pretty city and the most significant characteristic for me was the architecture. It’s like a mini, cleaner New York City. The three days in the city were crammed with tourist activities, these include; the Architectural Boat Tour, Navy Pier, Riverwalk Walking Tour, 360 Skydeck & The Tilt, Deep Dish Pizza and Portillo’s Hot Dog. I loved learning about the history of Chicago.
Fairytale ending
During my last week in the US, I spent some time at Disney World Orlando which was amazing! I visited Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom. Highlights were Star Wars land, Avatar Land and Toy Storyland. The new Star Wars and Avatar attractions are so immersive, you truly feel like you’re in the movie – Disney has created an incredible experience.
Michael was supported with obtaining a visa and moving to the US by the Rian Immigrant Center. More details here:
Go Global Week is almost upon us. To get you in the mood, we’ve rounded up five of the awe-inspiring places you can visit from Queen’s on a work or study abroad trip. Prepare to light up your ‘gram with #travel goals.
1.Canada
You’ll need your camera at the ready in beautiful Canada
You can spend a semester or a year studying in Canada, just like Queen’s Land Use and Environmental Management student Stuart Best.
“As a student in Canada, I did lots of interesting group projects, and there are so many good opportunities to network and develop, as well as making lots of Canadian friends!”
“Peter King made a huge contribution to the peace process in Northern Ireland and is still extremely interested in Irish affairs. My work mainly consisted of taking calls from constituents, helping them with the issues they were having with federal agencies and discussing any concerns that they had. I would like to thank Congressman King and everyone else in the office for making my internship incredibly enjoyable. I would also like to thank everyone from Project Children for giving me the opportunity to have an unforgettable summer!”
If you want to combine work experience with adventure then Generation UK China could be the programme for you. You can spend your summer interning in industry across China, like History student David Keenan who spent last summer in Shanghai.
“For any student wanting to internationalise their career, and travel to an exotic country over the summer, I strongly urge you to consider the Generation UK – China Internship Programme!,” says David.
Erasmus Study & Work Programme has opportunities all over Europe. Law student Megan Edwards spent a semester studying at Pazmany Peter Catholic University (PPKE) in Budapest. “Studying in Budapest, Hungary as part of the Erasmus programme was the greatest experience of my life, she says.
You can go as far afield as Australia from Queen’s and spend a year or a semester studying at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales. Check out their Instagram feed to see what your view of campus could look like!
Queen’s Chemistry student Anwin Robin has described a paid internship with the British Council’s IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) programme as “the best year of my life.”
Like many Queen’s students, Anwin took the opportunity to gain international experience and boost his employability skills on a paid placement abroad.
Anwin, from Dromore in County Down, moved to Switzerland in June 2019 to work with Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.
Anwin said: “During my internship I drew on my background as a chemistry student to carry out research into making stronger materials. Knowing that they may be used in the future in structures ranging from airplanes to wind turbines made my work feel tangible and relevant.”
Anwin at work in Switzerland
The best year of my life
During his time in Switzerland, Anwin also had the opportunity to meet up other interns working across the country through weekend excursions organised by IAESTE, the largest global mobility programme for STEM students in the world.
Anwin added: “My time in Switzerland has been the best year of my life so far. My IAESTE placement showed me how international many companies are today and confirmed that I want to grow my work experience outside of the UK. I will forever be grateful to IAESTE for providing me with this opportunity.”
Adapting for Covid-19
Anwin enjoyed the experience so much that when Switzerland went into lockdown because of Covid-19, he chose to stay in the country and continue his internship from home. He also used this as an opportunity to develop his coding skills.
Anwin has remained in Switzerland since finishing his IAESTE placement in May. He is currently applying to further internships in the country and hopes to eventually study for a Masters in computer science.
Whilst Covid-19 has restricted much travel this summer, many IAESTE placements have shifted online in response.
Among the 15 students from Northern Ireland who are currently undertaking remote internships with organisations in the USA, India, Bangladesh and Poland, are several Queen’s students who are joining online seminars and discussions. Their subject areas include biomedical science, business and marketing, computer science, aerospace engineering and chemical engineering.
Life changing impact
Jonathan Stewart, Director of the British Council Northern Ireland, said: “It’s wonderful to hear about the lifechanging impact of Anwin’s IAESTE placement, and we wish him all the best as he starts out in his career. Despite Covid-19, the IAESTE programme has quickly adapted and continues to offer quality opportunities for our university students to gain international experience. The remote internships help to provide Northern Ireland students with new technical skills while also experiencing different cultures and ways of working.”
In Northern Ireland IAESTE is funded by the Department for the Economy and delivered by the British Council.
Queen’s STEM students interested in applying for the IAESTE programme can find more information here:
