How Did I Find CEA CAPA? 

As an international business major, I was ecstatic about the opportunity to both study and intern abroad. At first, I was hesitant to reach out to my college’s study abroad office, but after a brief meeting and being put in contact with CEA CAPA, I knew going abroad was the right decision for me. But - to where? CEA CAPA’s London internship program in particular stood out to me, as I was curious about both studying and working abroad. The application process was extremely smooth, and before I knew it, I was boarding a plane to London for the experience of a lifetime. Now that my study abroad semester has come to an end, I've been able to reflect on my experience and the positive impact this semester has had on my academic career.  

A picture I took of Brighton Palace Pier, which is located roughly an hour and a half train ride south of London 

Understanding British Work Culture as a U.S. Student 

Prior to studying and interning abroad, I held other intern roles in the U.S. in an office setting. Cubicles and independent work were nothing new to me, so working for a small team in an open office in London was a bit of a culture shock. I had the opportunity to work 20 hours per week for a multinational hospitality company as a Finance Intern, and in this role, I assisted my team mostly with accounts payable (invoice remittance) and accounts receivable. While my team was small (it consisted of only 4 people), they were an extremely diligent, professional group who prioritized hard work and accuracy. However, they do take their work-life balance seriously and are always looking to schedule their next vacation or a night out in the city. 

One of my favorite parts about working in London was getting to experience the diverse cultures of the city. Interning in London gave me the opportunity to work with individuals of different nationalities from all around the globe, and getting to know their social and working cultures had been an extremely insightful experience. I have found that culture plays a significant role in the effectiveness of communication and building relationships, so being able to experience this for myself has made me a more open-minded and understanding individual in and out of the workplace.  

A picture I took on a visit with CEA CAPA to Bath Abbey in Bath, Somerset, England 

Class at CEA CAPA’s London Campus 

While studying and interning in London, I did 3 days in the office and 2 days at school. Aside from my internship, I took an international marketing course, international economics course, and a London history course which each ran 3 hours long (this may seem like a long time for a class, but I only had each class once per week). I enjoyed getting to learn more about international business from a different cultural perspective, as my professors were successful London locals with experiences different from my own. While it took me nearly 45 minutes to get to school and work each day (most commuters can expect to travel an hour or longer to get to school or work in London, so this was actually great!), the commute went by fast with a good book or music. CEA CAPA’s Kensington location was extremely convenient for a busy student, as the tube station is no more than a 5-minute walk and a grocery store is located right down the street.  

A picture I took from a lookout over the Southend Pier in Southend-on-Sea - the longest pleasure pier in the world at 1.33 miles long! 

Exploring London 

While it may seem impossible to travel while balancing both school and work in a new place, I can assure you it’s doable! On the weekends, I took plenty of trips around the country, with some of my favorite spots being Brighton, Dover, Bath, and Southend-on-Sea. If I needed to do work on-the-go, I found it easy to travel with my laptop and find spots to sit and study. Being both a student and an intern takes a lot of responsibility, but with the right time management skills, you can add traveler to your resume! 
 

Reflection 

Since returning to the U.S., I’ve seen great improvements in my communication, time management, and adaptability skills. I’ve found that keeping a journal with my work and school schedules provided me with the structure I needed to ensure I was prepared and on time for whatever events I had scheduled that day. This is a habit that I have brought home with me and still use in my day-to-day life. Since adding my experience to my resume, I have been able to expand my professional network both in England and in the U.S., which in turn has deepened my understanding of the role networking plays in different cultures. I feel that being able to discuss my experience as an intern has set me apart from my peers, and I would highly recommend considering CEA CAPA’s London internship program if you are looking for a similar experience.  

This post was written by Alexandra Croce, a CEA CAPA Alum from Siena College and interned in London, England.