My internship has begun and it truly is a learning experience. I was very nervous to start my internship at SWIFT because I have had no experience in the finance or banking world. However, just a few hours into my internship I realized that I was definitely in my element. So far I've written on a proposal on the usage of Twitter to promote an event that SWIFT puts on every year, I've written an article that will be posted on the company's internal website and I've proof read different articles.
Besides learning how to do the different physical work that takes place in a communication's team, I am learning about work culture. I know every company's work culture is different so I was prepared to meet some culture shock when I first started at SWIFT. However, being in a different country definitely intensified the shock. For the first few days I had to learn how to slow down my work pace. Back home, if I am given an assignment I am to finish it as soon as possible, at SWIFT, if I am given an assignment I usually have at least a week to complete it. It was a very weird concept for me to grasp and I'm still struggling with it. My boss actually got a little annoyed when I kept turning in completed work.
I am very happy with my internship, yes there are lulls throughout the day but for the most part I am kept busy and am included in all meetings and conversations. I feel very confident in saying that I truly believe that by the end of this summer I will have gained a much greater understanding in what I want to do in my professional life.
Culture shock is wearing off…I’m getting used to going into a store and not knowing what any of the signs say…. I’m getting used to the dirtiness of a city… the constant voices that drift up from the street…
I’m also realizing that living in a city is way harder than living in a suburb. If I ever live in a city I am definitely getting a grocery delivery service. When I go to the grocery store I can only buy enough food to fill my backpack so that only lasts me a few days. I think, so far, I’ve gone grocery shopping twice a week. It’s too hard to carry a million groceries down the street..and they also charge 10 cents for every plastic bag.
All of the Mizzou kids get along great and I really feel like we’re all enjoying each other’s time. We all love to hear about everyone’s internship and any new adventures we’ve experienced.
The weather has been amazing. I will say that I do not miss the 90+ temperatures in Missouri. In Brussels, every day is sunny and in the high 60s, low 70s.
This weekend was just another chill weekend...I really didn’t do much besides eat and sleep...honestly I needed it. For the first time in my life I have bags under my eyes…I think it’s from waking up four days a week at 6am. (I’ve vowed that I will never see 6am on a work day. I will do everything in my power to avoid 6am.)
The week is very tiring and to make matters worse: it doesn’t get dark in Brussels until at least 10:30pm. Its so hard to have a 10pm bedtime when the sun is just beginning to set.
On Friday night Lisa, Melanie and I went to the movies….yeah that was an experience to say the least.
We got yelled at by a very mean lady....we're always getting yelled at because we can’t speak or read French). But this time it was serious. Lisa thought we were getting brought to security.
What happened: After buying very expensive movie candy, we made our way to the movie. I opened the door to the theater and was met by a large audience staring at us. It was like a movie…slow motion…no sound…just an awkward pause… then suddenly a woman appeared and starting speaking very stern French to us. We started to giggle so that of course made her angrier. She then made us follow her…this is when Lisa thought we were going to jail…but really she was leading us back to the lobby by the candy stand.
I guess in Brussels, you buy your movie ticket then chill in the lounge area outside the theater until the movie attendants allow us to go in the theater. It’s a very weird feeling, Lisa and I both experienced anxiety because a huge line formed and we wanted to get good seats. Whatever…like I said…this week has been a learning experience.
We saw The Hangover II... or in Belgium its called…Very Bad Trip…I try not to read into it very much. The movie was in English but had French and Dutch subtitles. It was a really nice theater. We've noticed that a lot of stuff in Brussels is super new and so in turn really nice and clean.
Every day that goes by, being in Brussels gets easier. Everyone said it takes at least two weeks to get used to everything, and they were right. I just keep thinking about where my family came from and I remember if they can do it so can I. I am here by choice, I choose to do this and I will make it work.
For pictures go on my facebook...for some reason this website hates me and won't let me post any.
No comments:
Post a Comment