The Office of International Programs at the University of Tampa offer students a range of education abroad trips. Among the trips offered are internships abroad. According to the school’s website students can “gain valuable career experience and become culturally aware by completing an international internship.”
This past summer, Jenna Tinney, a sophomore at UT completed an internship through CAPA International Education and earned six UT credits. Her internship took place in London, England. Tinney said there were definite cultural differences.
“The funniest culture difference though was one day in the office,” she said. “Teach Me How to Dougie’ came on my iTunes and they had never heard it and all became obsessed and wanted to know what the Dougie was!”
Aside from cultural differences in pop culture and language, she said the office atmosphere was different too.
“I thought I’d be going in and the biggest responsibility would be making everyone’s afternoon tea and acting as the boss’s pet,” she said. “But I was treated as if I was their employee and not just an intern who did silly tasks.
Tinney’s internship lasted six weeks and she was enrolled in two classes: “Learning Through Internships” and “British Broadcasting.”
During the internship she spent three days a week working in an office for the company Captive Minds. She said she enjoyed the hands-on experience she gained there.
“In the office I did a lot of media coverage,” she said. “I also helped with writing press releases for events, updating our social media sites, contacting clients for updates, and putting together different promotional giveaways.”
Tinney is a communications major and advertising minor, and she said her internship with CAPA is helping her to propel forward with her career. At the end of her internship she was given a recommendation letter for future opportunities.
“My internship with Captive Minds has helped lead me into two more internships in Tampa, along with an internship in New York for next summer,” she said.
Kelly St. Onge can be reached at kst.onge@spartans.ut.edu.
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