As I mentioned in my introduction post, I am participating in an internship while I am in London. This opportunity allows me to grow academically, professionally, and personally. I hope that this internship will teach me how housing associations function and what information about how housing works in the United Kingdom and if there are any methods or ideas I can bring back to the United States from my experiences. Professionally, I am optimistic that this internship will give me connections in the housing industry and show me what it is like to work in a corporate office. I have worked in fast food, with families (walking dogs and babysitting), and through the university, but I have not experienced what it is like to work in a corporate office. I hope that this internship will allow me to forge connections with corporate employees and network through the housing associations. Personally, this internship will allow me to grow in confidence as an individual. I am the only person from my specific program that is working in this office, and there are many people that know what they are doing. This internship will allow me to advocate for myself and for my thoughts. Additionally, the learning environment for courses is completely different and has a different style of learning, and I am excited to immerse myself in it and learn what I am capable of. From the courses taught, I want to learn more about a different culture and history that I have not been previously exposed to. Within this program specifically, I think there is a lot I can learn simply from being in a new and different environment.

My overall goal for this program is growth and to become more confident in myself and my abilities, specifically my ability to be adaptive. The best way to accomplish this goal is to be willing to experience London to the fullest. London is an extremely large city and there are so many things to do and see, and I don’t want to miss out on different cultural experiences. While three months seems like a long time, it will fly by extremely quickly. I think specifically with the internship, there is a lot to learn and not a lot of time. I am open to new experiences, and I want to grow from this experience.