Impressing your future employer is yet another reason to seriously consider a post-graduation international internship. You need to talk to us!

Let’s face it: a bachelor’s degree isn’t what it used to be.  Long gone are the days when a college education was enough to assure you a good career, a pension, and a chance to retire with enough savings to maybe even do a little traveling when it’s all said and done.  Nowadays, bachelor’s degrees are a dime a dozen, and employers have stacks of resumes well over a hundred high, most of them boasting high GPAs, extra-curriculars, awards, and other accolades.  There was a time when graduating from a good school with high marks and a degree in advertising was enough to get you through the front door of that well-known, successful advertising firm.  Well, not anymore. Today’s employers want to see more.  They want to see something unique.

Odds are, if you’re a recent grad, you probably just want to take a step back and take a deep breath.  You made it.  Give yourself a pat on the back.  Just because more people are graduating from college than ever before doesn’t mean it’s an easy thing to do.  But now that college is behind you, it’s time to start looking forward.  After all, you’ve got nowhere else to go.

So where will you go?  If you’re like 50% of recent college graduates out there, the answer might be nowhere.  Studies show that more than half of recent college grads are unemployed or underemployed.  For those unfamiliar with the term “underemployed,” that’s what you call the Environmental Science student working as a cashier at the local organic grocery store.  Or the Film Production major selling tubs of popcorn and scraping gum off the carpet at the movie theater.  Maybe you’re the Finance major working as a teller at Bank of America, or the Business major working as a “manager in training” at some big corporate retailer.  There are a ton of college grads out there working in jobs they never saw themselves in, asking themselves “How did I get here?” and “Why did I spend so much money on a degree for this?”  If this sounds like you, maybe it’s time to take another step back, take another deep breath, and say “It’s time to make a change.”

There’s a common misconception that internships are only for college students.  This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Internships are for people who have some knowledge in their field but lack the relevant hands-on experience that employers want to see before they start signing your paycheck.  It makes perfect sense if you stop and think about it: why would a company hire somebody fresh out of college with no work experience when they could hire somebody who’s already gotten their feet wet and has some experience in the industry?  An internship is a perfect way to gain meaningful experience in your field, make professional connections, and make your resume stand out from your peers.
At Global Experiences, we want to help you find the internship that will take your career to the next level and put you on a long-term path for professional success.  But we’re not all about work, work, work.  After all, you’ve been working your tail off for at least four years in undergrad!  You’re probably itching to have some fun, too.  So why not kill two birds with one stone?  Intern abroad and have a life-changing overseas adventure while you gain work experience.  It’s truly the best of both worlds.

Integral to the Global Experiences’ program is the way we take the time to get to know you, learn about your goals and expectations, and then work on your behalf to find you the very best internship to help get you from where you are now to where you’re trying to wind up.  Furthermore, we want to help you identify your strengths so you can then utilize them most effectively during your internship and in your life thereafter.  To do this, we’ve partnered with Gallup, Inc., renowned performance-management consulting company, to thoroughly assess our interns’ greatest strengths and teach them how best to use them in the workplace.  This means that by choosing to work with Global Experiences, you’re giving yourself the best odds at finding professional success not just now, but in the foreseeable future as well.

Our friendly onsite staff in each of our locations is there to help you assimilate and make the most of your time living overseas.  Cultural events, day-trips to scenic, surrounding destinations, and fun get-togethers are all included in your Global Experiences’ internship program.  It’s work experience and a travel adventure all rolled up into one!   It doesn’t get any better than that.

Harrison Brazier
Internship Program Consultant
Global Experiences

The post Why Should I Intern After Graduation? appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Cliffs of Moher

When my colleagues asked me to write a blog about the top reasons to intern this fall in Dublin, Ireland, I was flabbergasted. Did people need a reason to want to go to Dublin? I’ve been obsessed with the Emerald Isle since I was a child, and in 2010 I was able to do an internship in Dublin through Global Experiences that helped me accomplish my dream of living there (and the work experience on resume wasn’t too shabby either). Imagine the wind whipping around you as you stand on top of the Cliffs of Moher, or picture yourself in a cozy pub surrounded by new friends with a perfectly poured pint of Guinness in hand. Ireland needs no selling; she’s perfect. But for those who need a little convincing, below are the top ten reasons to intern in Dublin this fall.

1.       The Gathering:

If you have any Irish ancestors, Ireland wants you to come home and visit your roots this year. This yearlong event is taking place all over the country with communities showcasing different festivals, concerts, and sporting events unique to Ireland.  For more information about The Gathering you can visit their website here: http://www.thegatheringireland.com/

2.       History:

Tracing back over 1,000 years, Ireland has a rich and oftentimes dark history. It is visible in every street from the architecture of the pubs to statues on street corners and parks. On weekends, you can travel outside the city to see the ancient fairy mounds, or raths, around the country hillsides. For a bit of the darker past, take a Black Taxi ride through the streets of Belfast in Northern Island for an artistic glimpse into the struggles of the past decades scrawled out in graffiti on peace walls. Through many of the museums in Dublin like the National Museum of Ireland, National Writers Museum, and Dublina you can learn about the vikings, revolutions, and enchanting stories of folklore.

3.       Literature:

James Joyce once said, “When I die, Dublin will be written on my heart.” Dublin is the birthplace of James Joyce, George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and many other authors, poets, and playwrights. If you’re a lover of the classics, or even the more modern authors like Colum McCann, Dublin offers an array of ways to dive deeper into Irish literature. You can walk the streets that inspired the Dubliners or see the home of Wilde near Trinity College. No matter where you go, the passion of Dublin that inspired so many will be sure to flow through your veins and be imprinted on your heart as well.

Killarney National Park

4.       Landscapes: 

Ireland is a small country, but it holds some amazing views. The Cliffs of Moher, Giant’s Causeway, and the Ring of Kerry are just a few of the remarkable places you can see on the island. One weekend we took a trip to Killarney, and on Saturday we rented bikes and rode through the Killarney National Park. It was gorgeous and budget friendly. In the park we saw waterfalls, the Ross Castle, mountains and rivers. From the sprawling farmlands of Cork to jagged coastlines of the Aran Islands, Ireland’s landscape will leave you mesmerized.

5.       Music: 

When you think of Ireland, you think of the classic Irish songs like Whiskey in the Jar and Molly Malone. Ireland is one of the few countries that has its own genre of music that is popular worldwide. The traditional Irish pub songs are still played around Dublin, and the tell-tale sound of the uilleann pipes can be heard at live band performances. Of course, many musicians have called Ireland home like U2, The Pogues, Van Morrison, and B*Witched (Yeah, I said it. I grew up in the 90s and I loved them).  Ireland is also where I’ve fallen in love with modern bands like Two Door Cinema Club, Bell X1, and Breesie. There are really excellent places in Dublin to see live bands (big and small) as well as unique record and music stores throughout the city.

6.       Arthur’s Day: 

This entirely made up and awesome holiday was created in 2009 by Guinness to celebrate Arthur Guinness. Over the past few years international and Irish artists like Ellie Goulding, Example, and Snow Patrol played intimate shows in celebration of the founder of the Guinness brew. The exact date isn’t set yet, but this event will most likely take place in September. The line up of artists is usually announced in August so keep an eye out.  In September, raise a pint and celebrate like a native to one of Ireland’s most famed names in beer!

7.       The Titanic: 

Though the RMS Titanic sank over 100 years ago, it’s still a topic of interest and obsession for some. The ship was built in the Belfast Harbour over a span of 26 months starting in 1909. That area is now called the Titanic Quarter and is home to the largest Titanic museum in the world that opened in Spring 2012. For more information about the Belfast Titanic museum you can visit the website here: http://www.titanicbelfast.com/

8.       Accents: 

The Irish speak with a soothing and lithe cadence that is unlike any other accent in the world. Their speech is enhanced with words like grand, craic, lovely, and brilliant. Dubliners do not say ‘Thanks’ but instead mutter a ‘thanks a million’ that sounds like ‘tanks a million.’  It’s beautiful and thrilling to hear all the time.

9.       Work Culture: 

All Global Experiences internships are going to be filled with responsibility and opportunity for professional growth. Now that I’ve seen both sides of the program, I know that our team takes great pride in the quality of our internships. However, Dublin fall interns get to be in the unique environment of the Irish workplace for 12 weeks. The work culture is relaxed and friendly, but with the right amount of seriousness. One of our past Dublin interns, Mason, describes it best in a video blog stating, “…it’s amazing how connected and how close I feel to these people I’ve been working with in just a week’s time”.

And 10.   The People: 

I spend a great of time being lost. Driving. Leaving metros. Walking. Basically, if I have not been there before, I’m going to need a good step-by-step guide on how to get around. In Dublin, I went into a pub and came out and started heading the wrong way with my friends shouting ‘AWAY FROM THE LIFFEY! AWAY! HOW DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND BASIC DIRECTIONS?!” Good times. The point: I was lost in Dublin A LOT. However, it seemed there was always a native there to assist me without asking. The Irish are by far some of the friendliest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting (and I’m from the South where kindness and hospitality is our motto). Everyone there seemed willing to help out with directions, start up a conversation, or offer a suggestion on places to go. I can understand why people take great pride in being Irish. They are, in general, a kind and humorous people. If the stunning landscapes, enriching history, or fun nightlife don’t convince you to go to Ireland this fall, then the people will.

The post 10 Reasons to consider a Dublin Internship in Fall 2013 appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Point of Difference is a term used in Business Economics for an outcome of product differentiation. In todays job market, make yourself stand out in the crowd!

For years you’ve been putting in the effort to achieve good grades. First it was at school, now you’re doing the same at university or college. You even know what it is you want to do when you finish your studies. However, have you ever stopped to think just how you are going to get a head start in your career?

This is a question that surprisingly few people actually do answer or even consider prior to finishing their degree, yet it is one which needs ample thought. After all, you will be competing with many others for the job that starts you on your career trajectory.

So the challenge – on top of all your studies – is to define your point of difference and to devise a plan on how you are going to stand out to future employers. Sure good grades are a plus, but employers want to see that not only do you know your theory, but that you know how to put it into practice. After all, as Harvard education Specialist Tony Wagner said in a recent interview: “what you know matters far less than what you can do with what you know”.

Internships, the key to kick starting your career

The opportunity to gain working knowledge of the industry you want to join or the chance to create networks which may prove valuable in the years to come should be something all aspiring professionals should want to take advantage of. Internships offer this exact experience and remain one of the most beneficial opportunities available to students finishing their studies.

In fact, taking time out of your studies or over the summer vacation allows you to enjoy the benefits something like a summer internship can afford you. Some of the benefits include:

• Ability to travel the world and do an internship in London, Australia,  Italy or many other destinations
• Hands on learning with industry leading professionals
• Can open the door to ongoing relationships with your sponsor company
• Marketable resume skills are learned. Furthermore, a prospective employer will see you are eager to get ahead – a very desirable trait in a potential candidate
• The creation of new friends and  creation of unforgettable life experiences
• The ability to test different roles and make sure that your chosen profession is what you expect it to be. It’s almost a try before you buy scenario

Of course, as with anything, securing an intern position is not as simple as just applying. Like you, the firms looking to place interns have a lot at stake too. They are going to look to select from candidates who show they are eager, who have the tenacity to stand up and be noticed and who are ready to step out of their comfort zones, knowing that in doing so, they are opening the door to a world of opportunities.

So what are you waiting for? You career is just around the corner, why not take the first step and inquire about an internship today.

The post An internship, your Point of Difference appeared first on The Compass Blog.

As a student, you probably have grand plans to take a couple of months off at the end of the year, to travel across the globe experiencing the world, maybe do a spot of work and generally have a great time. You wouldn’t be the first to have these plans, nor will you be the last.

What many people fail to realize, is that you could be travelling the world and seeing the sights at the same time as you potentially further your career; putting you ahead of your fellow students when it comes to graduating. Fortunately, it is not necessarily a matter of abandoning your dreams of travelling throughout Europe or of sacrificing a vacation for work. If you plan ahead you can travel on either side of your placement, allowing you to enjoy both the freedom and excitement of a vacation whilst gaining the experience and executable skill that comes from an internship. At the end of your time, you will have the chance to travel to a foreign city, to live the life of a local and at the same time earn international experience which will add depth to your resume.

Choose your Destination

In the same way that technology has revolutionized the way we all communicate, it has brought the world closer together. Travelling overseas is now easier than ever and as such the opportunities it affords individuals are closer at hand too. Where once you were more confined to do your internship in your capital city, today, internships can be undertaken in Europe, Asia , Australia, Canada or USA without too much hassle.

Of course, you could do an internship more locally, but why not get out and see the world? From the ability to work in large multinationals, to working with market leading big business or even to more niche opportunities such as being a fashion intern, building a network overseas and gaining international experience is something even well-seasoned professionals crave. Whether you choose London, New York, Paris or one of many other exciting destinations, you are but a stones throw away from living life the way you imagined.

Becoming an Intern

Aside from the opportunity to travel the world and to learn from the best, internships offer aspiring graduates the chance to test drive their chosen profession. This is as important as anything else, as it can help you establish the merits of going into your career or why you should perhaps consider a different one.

If you would like to become an intern, there are a few things to remember and get in order first:

• You will need to select a time that does not interfere with your studies. Internships can range between 8 weeks and 6 months
• You will need a valid passport
• You need an outgoing attitude and willingness to learn
• Internships should be selected in areas related to your studies; consider your career choice

So what are you waiting for? Why not take a positive step for your career, without sacrificing the life you love at university and look into becoming an intern. The world awaits you.

The post International Internships: Taking you across the world appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy (and successful too!)

Global Experiences focuses on helping college students and young professionals get a competitive edge through an international internship program experience. Every week we speak to hundreds of people starting out in their career and we think a lot about what advice to give and how to provide people with the best experience possible. Our goal isn’t just landing a job, it is helping our Alum have happy and successful lives, in the broadest sense.

The traditional method of determining your ideal career started with matching academic success at school with a professional category. Good at Math then consider accounting or finance, good at science then how about medicine? Artist may consider architecture etc. But this is old school and the future is shaped by constant technological change, faster than even a millennial can keep up with. At the same time as this college is slow to adapt and a good education is hard to find to the point that a degree is almost irrelevant for many careers and practical internships and skills development are more important on your resume. So how do you give good advice to someone in college looking at a bleak landscape of 50% unemployment among college graduates?

College students are not alone as recent polls from the Gallup Organization acknowledged that while health and a happy family life were most important to people only 47% of the US population consider themselves happy. Economic pressures and systemic issues have seen the US economy double, but the happiness stay the same since 1960. At Global Experiences we have seen a steady shift over the past 12 years from students interested in studying art, Italian, fashion with a desire to learn foreign languages to a preference for finance, business, and English speaking environments in an attempt to strategically get ahead by making what may seem a more secure choice.

But the one thing you can’t buy and can’t fake is passion and enthusiasm for what you love. There are no sure things with any degree path, except maybe engineering, so rather than try and mitigate risk by being conservative and tactical with your choices, how about take a risk and follow your dreams. This doesn’t mean be reckless and in-danger yourself it just means take time to really think about what makes you tick and what you love to do, be around, and take notice of when time just passes by and when work doesn’t feel like work.

What if doing more of what you love was the only goal you needed for a happy life and a good job.

‘Making Hope Happen’ by Shane Lopez

But being happy isn’t easy and creating and finding a career that doesn’t feel like work is hard for college aged student as it requires introspection and developing a 3D image of themselves in the future that will help provide Hope and guide them through adversity and obstacles that often re-rail risk taking. Shane Lopez in his recent book ‘Making Hope Happen’ , points to Hope over other factors as the biggest determinant of an individual’s path to a happy life.

Parents are often keen to save their children from failure with classic advice like ‘maybe you should come home and get a job nearby rather than try and make it in fashion in NYC’. ‘You have to have health insurance so you can’t start your own business’. ‘You have student loans so you can’t afford to travel overseas’.

It takes a lot to keep faith in your own vision and hope for the future, but it is the best chance you have for a happy life and successful career.

Stay tuned for our top 10 ways to have a career you love.

The post Being Happy: A Career Strategy? appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Me at the Sydney Opera House!

I never thought I would have the chance to live and work in the Land of Oz. I didn’t realize how amazing Sydney, Australia was until I had the chance to explore the neighborhoods and back roads of each different area in Sydney. Walking around and exploring Darling Harbor, Circular Quay, Kings Cross, Glebe, Surry Hills, Bondi Beach and other areas really made Sydney feel like home. I’m a city girl but I also love the beach. Sydney has the best of both worlds!

I worked at a restaurant in Kings Cross. This area has a young vibe as it has many restaurants and bars. World Bar and Hugo’s Bar Pizza are must go’s. On Sundays, Hugo’s Bar Pizza offers half price drinks and $5 pizzas. Hugo’s is a lounge with a DJ and a relaxed atmosphere. If you’re looking for live music, you should check out Upstairs at Beresford in Surry Hills. They have live music every Friday and Saturday. Also, El Loco is a Mexican cantina in Surry Hills that has cheap tacos and a fun vibe.

Feeding the Kangaroos!

After a day of school and work it was nice to go hang out at Bondi Beach. Bondi markets on Sunday mornings are a lot of fun. My roommates and I would walk through the beach shops and different venders along the strip. We really liked to hang out at Vue restaurant on the rooftop lounge over-looking the beautiful white sandy beach. The most popular coastal walking route in Australia begins in Bondi. Some days we would walk over to Tamarama beach, which is more secluded, and had a picnic or BBQ. Beaches are all over; if you want to steer clear of Bondi, Nielsen Park is phenomenal and low key.

One of the surreal experiences of living in Sydney is visiting the beautiful Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay. I saw my first opera, The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart, at the opera house. They have discounted tickets for students. If you go to the opera house on the day of the performance and it’s not sold out they discount student tickets. I paid $25 for $300 seats and sat center stage 10 rows back from the stage.

With a Cockatoo!

Other fun things to do around the city would be the Sydney Harbor Bridge climb; I guarantee there’s no feeling like standing on top over looking the whole city! You can visit the Royal Botanical Garden and feed the cockatoo birds that will climb right on to your shoulder. You can visit Centennial Park to rent bikes and cruise around; it’s a forest paradise in the city. Shop around china town or Paddy’s markets. Take a boat ride to Cockatoo Island. Try eating Kangaroo! Visit Luna Park, which is an amusement park. Catch a movie at the largest Imax or go take surf lessons at Bondi or Manly beach! No matter what activity you like Sydney has all kinds of indoor and outdoors activities!

For more information about the Global Experiences internship programs visit www.globalexperiences.com.

The post Home Sweet Sydney! appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Big Ben!

Wow so I love my job! My first 3 days were great. They let me jump right in on promoting for their upcoming exhibition, Craft Central Gets Hitched, which is a huge handmade wedding fair full of all kinds of amazing designers. It is March 21st-24th. I worked on promotions the past 3 days, and also have been updating posts on their Facebook and twitter pages.  I’m so excited about all the things I will get to be a part of, learn, and see while I’m there. Next Wednesday there is a marketing network conference on cross promotion for London that they asked me to go to and I can’t wait to go and see what that will be like. Already have a pen and notepad ready in my purse!

The office here is so different from an office back in the U.S. It is ONE room. Yes, one room with 6 desks pushed together and 6 computers and we all work together in there. People would drive each other nuts back in America if they all shared one office. They are all such sweet people though and have no problems at all. I think so highly of each of them already.

Tea is such a HUGE thing in the UK and I tried my first UK tea at work. They make tea every 2-3 hours and they made me a cup with milk and sugar and it was instant love as everything has been for me and London. I now drink tea with my coworkers every tea time. I love their accents and how every time someone gets up to get a tea they say “Time for a tea. Anyone want a tea?” and then the replies come…”Yes, please, I’ll have a tea.” “oh yes, a tea sound great please. thank you” “tea for me please”. You only get the full affect if you read that in a polite British accent. I love it!

Jessica and I.

I have continued to do more sightseeing and I had a great day of shopping today at the West End mall. It was very successful and my feet were killing me. I Skyped mom, dad, and Katelyn tonight and I got to show them all my purchases. I loved the fact that I can do that thanks to technology because my favorite thing to do after a great day of shopping is show someone what I bought!! =) Ashtin ran in for a little bit too so I got to see her too. So happy Skype exists so I can actually see my family while I’m out of the country.

I feel like I have been all over the city already and yet I feel like I have a million more places to go see before I have to leave. Today marks ONE WEEK of living in London!! HOORAY!! I have loved every second of it. Every day I feel more confident here and enjoy it more. I love the city, the people, the accents, the food, the buildings, the fashion, the history, the coffee and tea, the busyness, the beauty, and so much more. I am loving London and so thankful for my first week here.

For more information on the Global Experiences London programs, check out www.globalexperiences.com.

The post One Week Down in London appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Summer 2013 marks 10 years for our Florence Internship Program.

The founders of Global Experiences have enjoyed a love affair with Florence, Italy for many years

I am often asked as one of GE’s two co-founders how we started Global Experiences, who’s idea was it, and why Internships. There is a long and a short answer of course but for me it is simple.

It is a love story.

Around the age of 12 I watched the movie ‘A Room with a View’ with Helena Bonham-Carter staring as the lovely Lucy who is transformed by Italy during her “grand- voyage”. Although I had travelled and learned some Italian as a child in Australia my first trip to Italy didn’t come until I took my own grand-voyage in a gap year between high school and university at the age of 18. From the age of 12 to 18 I day-dreamed of Florence, the colors of the buildings, the view of the hills of Tuscany, the summer heat, the art, the passion and the food. So when we started Global Experiences with the goal of sharing with others the experience of living and working abroad there was only one place to start. All I wanted to do was to have a reason to spend as much time in Italy and help lots of other people do the same thing.

Global Experiences’ first interns were in Rome in 2002 with some great placements in marketing, law and design. Interns from these first groups are now well into their careers working in fashion, publishing, art and business. But things really got started when we launched our Florence summer program with a big group of 30 interns in Florence in 2003. So much was new but all our participants shared a romance with what Italy represented, and sought out a chance to experience the design and style of the city with many placements in the field of Fashion that started our own obsession with fashion internships worldwide.

Since our first group in 2003, Florence has continued to be our flagship program and throughout the years it has launched the careers of hundreds of fashion designers, business people, singers, photographers, graphic designers and even lawyers. Our expertise in Florence has set the tone for all of our other locations both in terms of quality of our internship matching ability, but also through innovations in social programming and support on the ground.

In 2010 Florence also took the starring role in an innovative new program called Project Moda, a new concept that challenges interns to produce their own fashion line and show to a panel of judges over an intensive 4 day period. In 2012 we were honored to have Project Moda as a finalist at the international Goabroad.com innovation awards. Project Moda continued in Florence in 2012, bringing together interns from across Europe, and will again be on offer this July 2013 for all interns in Europe to gain fashion experience and network with industry professionals.

As I reflect on where we are in 2013 with hundreds of interns spread over 10 amazing cities, I cannot help but think of Florence and all that is represents. I am nostalgic for a time when I could have just one love. But it reminds me that you can follow what you love and make something really big happen. Although there are so many places that offer a Global Experiences program, Italy is the most magical place on earth and if I were a student looking to intern abroad there would still only be one choice!

Firenze!

The post 10 Years of Internships in Florence: A Love Story appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Things I Am Glad I Packed..

1. Leggings and Tights – Again, it is cold here. Sometimes I will wear two pairs of leggings or I will put a pair of tights on under my jeans. Works wonders. Plus, they don’t take up nearly as much room as jeans do.

2. Leg Warmers - This may sound silly, but they work very well and they allow me to wear dresses with tights for my internship without freezing.

3. Scarves – Not only are they warm, but they can really liven up an outfit and expand your wardrobe.

4. Extra Rechargeable Camera Batteries – My camera (Canon SX260) is amazing, but when I turn the GPS on it kills my battery. There is nothing worse than being on a day trip with a dead camera battery.

5. A Waterproof Coat – Big wool coats are great until it starts pouring down rain. Then you’re just wet, cold, and miserable. I brought a coat that has a liner you can take out and wear by itself. It has been great because it acts as a winter coat, a light raincoat, and a zip up fleece.

6. Copies of My Passport – They want a copy of your passport for everything here; I needed one for my landlord, my school, my internship, a company booking a flight for me, and to get a SIM card for my phone. Plus, it’s much safer to carry copies than the actual thing, because if it is stolen you will be in a very bad situation.

Some Things I Wish I Had Packed..

1. Coffee Thermos – Drinking a cup of coffee while you’re running to work is an American thing. The Italians prefer to stop and enjoy their caffè, which is great unless you’re not used to factoring that extra time into your morning and can’t for the life of you make it out the door 15 minutes early to do that. To go cups are very hard to find, and if you do find one, it would be considered a child’s serving in the US. If you enjoy sipping coffee on your way to work, bring a thermos. I haven’t even been able to find one here to buy.

2. Refillable Travel Sized Bottles - If you go on any flight within Europe where you won’t be checking a bag, you have to make sure the liquids you are taking comply with the flying regulations. It was very unnerving traveling to Paris with no way to pack shampoo, lotion, etc.

3. Tennis Shoes – I was so concerned with getting three pairs of boots and flats here that I forgot to pack a pair of tennis shoes. Although people don’t really wear them here, if you plan on working out or playing a game of soccer you’ll definitely need them.

4. Rain Boots – I’ve ruined two pairs of boots by wearing them in the rain here. Rain boots are a pain to pack, but they might be nice to have. If you don’t want to pack them, get a pair when you land.

The best advice I was given when I found out I was coming here: Don’t try to pack your life in a suitcase; but pack enough of you to start a new one. 

Did I miss anything? Leave us a comment and let me know!

For more information about the Global Experiences Internship Programs, check our www.globalexperiences.com. 

The post Packing For Study Abroad by Bobbie Watson: Part 2 appeared first on The Compass Blog.

Your best bet for packing your clothes: bring plain solid colors that can be worn in layers. Shirts with really cute patterns are great, but they are hard to match with bottoms and are too recognizable to be worn consistently. But, plain solid shirts can be disguised in many ways to create new looks, making your wardrobe feel much bigger. For example, a plain black fitted v-neck can be worn under a button up or with a long necklace or with a sweater. These types of shirts are easy to dress down for the day but with

some cute accessories you can wear them out at night. Also, if it is going to be cold, make sure to bring some plain long sleeve cover ups. You can change out tank tops under them or wear them over short sleeves or dresses. This gives you several warm outfits without having to pack a bunch of bulky sweaters. Same goes with plain long sleeve shirts – you can put them under just about anything. As far as bottoms go, really dark jeans and plain black leggings and pants go with everything. But, don’t be afraid to get creative! There are some really great ideas on Pinterest (see picture).

I Need MY Shampoo!!! 

I am a child born from American consumerism; I am used to having a choice between 37 different kinds of shampoo and toothpaste. But, I am very brand loyal; I will find one product that works and stick to it. My best advice: get over it. I tried to pack 3 months worth of every product I use, but I quickly realized a bitter truth: I could either pack those OR I could pack more clothes. Brands are global these days, so chances are you’ll be able to find something familiar to you. Here in Italy I’ve found Dove, Pantene, Garnier Fructis, Colgate, etc. I can’t believe I’m writing this, but shampoo is shampoo. If it cleans your hair, you can live with it for a couple of months.

Leave the Hair Dryer. Yes, Really. 

I know, I know. The thought of not having your hair dryer is unbearable. I was told to leave mine behind, but I simply couldn’t.  On my very first day I plugged my high wattage hair dryer into my converter and within two minutes I blew up my hair dryer, my converter, and I blew the breakers in my whole apartment. It was the dead of winter and everything shut off, heat included. Seriously, leave the hair dryer at home. The plugs in Europe are not meant to handle them. Buy a hair dryer when you get to your new home; they are not that expensive and it is worth it to save the space in your suitcase. The same goes with straighteners and curling irons. If the watts are not properly converted you can ruin your straightener or fry your hair.

Mind the Weather! 

Do your research before you pack! Are you going during the summer? The winter? I had heard the Europe has “wet winters,” but I never imagined that it would rain here in Florence as much as it does. I made the very big mistake of leaving my rain boots at home. Luckily I did pack a waterproof coat.

If You’re Going in the Winter, How’s the Heating??

Another surprise: Italy does not heat buildings the way America does. In America, I was fine with wearing short sleeves under a heavy coat because the buildings were so well heated. Here I sleep under 3 blankets with sweatpants and a fleece and I’m still cold. If you are coming to Europe in the winter, make sure you bring slippers or warm socks. It’s not as cold here as it is in my hometown, but I am cold all the time, which I am not used to. I’ve had to buy several sweaters here because if I don’t wear long sleeves everyday, I freeze.

Pack a Bag.

I know this sounds counter intuitive  but it’s important. If you plan to go on day trips or weekend trips, you need to have a bag big enough for you to get what you need in it, but smaller than your full-sized suitcase. I recommend a backpack or something with wheels. I went to Paris a couple of weekends ago with Ryan Air, which is a cheap airline here in Europe. They only allow you to have ONE free carry on bag. Your purse, camera bag, laptop bag, etc. must all fit in the same bag. And they are very strict about what size the suitcase can be. It is definitely something to consider before embarking!

Should I Bring My Heels???

I like wearing heels out as much as the next girl. But, Florence is mostly cobblestone. My program advisor told me not to bother bringing heels and that Florentine women don’t wear them. I thought, yeah right… they’ve all probably just learned to walk on cobblestone in heels. But she was right – the women here do not wear heels. And, if they do, people certainly do notice, but not in a good way; more in like a “I really think she just broke her ankle” kind of way. And, I kid you not, as I was thinking about writing this post last night on my walk home, I saw an American girl walking barefoot down the streets in the pouring rain carrying her 5 inch stiletto heels. Do some research to see what the streets are like!

The Money Situation.

I have found that the best way to exchange currency is by using an ATM. Take out the maximum amount they allow you to each time and then you just have one fee. It depends on your bank, of course, but you may get charged an international fee every time you use your card. But, don’t forget to tell your bank you are moving and will be using your card in different countries. Be careful with currency exchange places on the street and in the airport because they will rip you off (I learned that only after losing about $50). If you have cash, your best bet is to go to a legitimate bank to change out your money.

For more information about the Global Experiences Internship Programs, check our www.globalexperiences.com. 

The post Packing For Study Abroad by Bobbie Watson appeared first on The Compass Blog.