On the last day of my internship, my parents arrived in Stockholm, and I spent the next three days showing them around the city. While I was making an itinerary of what I wanted to show them, I realized how much I had done during the program. This realization was comforting because in the final two weeks, I had begun to worry whether I had seen or done enough. I wanted to rest after the workday and get a head start on packing, but I kept worrying that there was something in Stockholm I was missing. A piece of advice I would give to any student going abroad is to take some time to rest and recharge, as it will make the last activities of the program much more enjoyable.
Showing my parents around Stockholm, navigating the bus with them, visiting the Vasa Museum, showing them where I interned, and more made for the perfect way to cap off my time in Sweden. Guiding them through the bus and train system reminded me of my first night, when a friend and I got on the wrong bus. During the program, it was hard to see how much I had grown. In retrospect, not only did I experience professional growth over the course of my internship, particularly in communication and problem-solving skills, but I also became a more confident and adventurous person than before.
As for adjustments, it was hard leaving somewhere I had grown so familiar with, and going back to traveling and seeing new places. It felt strange to start over, relearning transit and packing up suitcases once again. Leaving places after short periods felt strange as well; spending three days in one city felt like far too little time after spending two months immersed in a new city. Something that has helped me navigate this feeling of missing out or falling behind in travel is not to get too caught up in seeing everything or completing a checklist, but to focus on seeing things that appeal most to your own tastes. That being said, it was harder to arrive in my host country, jet-lagged and buzzing with a mix of excitement and anxiety, while completely exhausted, than to leave, reflecting on all the good memories. One piece of advice I would give students abroad is to revisit the places you first went to at the end of the program, as it helps you realize just how far you have come and what you have accomplished. I would also tell any student considering going abroad to go! And, in general, be spontaneous, unafraid to connect, and try new things.
Ava Georgious, Diverse Ducks Ambassador
GlobalWorks Internship In Stockholm, Sweden
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