International internship
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International internship opens doors
Julie Bogle graduated from the University of Calgary in June 2009 with a BSc in kinesiology and a minor in management. She moved to Jordan in October with the AIESEC internship program to work as a customer advocacy officer for a telecommunications company. AIESEC Canada, now present in 28 Canadian universities including the U of C, provides university students and graduates with leadership experiences and the opportunity to participate in a global internship program. What were your first impressions of Jordan?Jordan is a wonderful land full of helpful, generous people who genuinely want you, as a foreigner, to have a great experience. There is so much to see here: Petra, the Dead Sea, the Wadi Rum desert, Aquaba and the Karak crusader castle. The land is rich with history. AIESEC members picked me up from the airport, found me an apartment, helped me extend my VISA and now are assisting me in my application for residency.
Julie Bogle in 2007 when she was president of the Students' Union.What was the most challenging experience so far?When I came to Jordan, I walked into an internship with a vague job description at a telecommunications company. My first few weeks were tough, as the company wanted me to create and teach an English language program, a task I didn't feel qualified to complete and a task I did not sign up for. I worked with HR and took the initiative to brainstorm other project ideas I had for the company, and now my job is improving each day. I'm implementing innovative ideas from Canada like a mentorship program, and fostering community development through volunteer programs.What has been your best experience of Jordan so far?When I sat and watched the sun set in the vast desert of Wadi Rum, a sense of perspective and peace came over me. It was so amazing being in an ancient land that has remained so untouched. That feeling, followed by an evening of Bedouin food, singing, dancing and camping, was topped by taking a camel ride the next morning! Incredible.What value do you see in an international internship?Being on an international internship is helping me grow personally and professionally so much. I'm working in a mid-range company with 500 employees that just started four years ago. I'm experiencing what business looks and feels like within a different culture. I'm appreciating skills we're brought up with like time management or “home-row” typing. I'm teaching e-mail etiquette and developing my training skills.I never knew that being a native English speaker could open so many doors, and people really respect what I have to say and the background I often take for granted. The conversations I've had about religion, politics, cultural norms and underlying expectations has shown me the underbelly of a society so very different from my own. I've been able to share my experiences and learn from others. Learn more about AIESEC Calgary: www.aiesec.ca/calgary.
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November 19, 2009
