I leave to intern abroad in less than one month. I pack my suitcases (yes, two) and kiss my parents and boyfriend good-bye until August. The reality didn’t set in until Saturday.
I drove to Oregon State University for a full-day prep of what I have gotten myself into. I don’t mean to sound bratty, but I chose to not really study abroad per se; I am interning… with Italians who know little English.
When I got to the orientation early Saturday morning, after rushing to the steamy coffee pot, I observed the situation, naturally.
Nearly 30 students mingled around me: business majors with dress shirts and slacks, females with companions and a handful of international studies majors and pre-med peers. As the clock approached 9:15 a.m., we introduced ourselves and our plans abroad. I sat with students going to Europe: a marketing major from Western Oregon University and an accounting major from Portland State. Both will move to major German cities and intern in corporate business. Sandwiched between them at the round dining table, I labeled us “the shallow table,” probably like everyone else did silently.
But why do I have to label myself shallow because I am trying to pursue my career path? Sure, when I contemplated study abroad programs, I considered working at a women’s center in a less-developed country, but my parents ruled out the idea without argument. Well, apparently no one else at the orientation received such criticism. As we went around the room, student upon student described their internships, including working at a small Caribbean island eco-lodge, living in Madagascar without electricity at an animal refuge and working with women and children in the outskirts of a Mexican town.
You can sense the guilt I felt when it came to my turn, and not only was I following the corporate-destined accountant, but he had just talked about how his prospective firm recently underwent a major corporate merger. You could practically see fellow students flinching in their seats as he elicited excitement.
It was no better when it came to me. “I’m working at a fashion… publication… in Florence… but it’s not…a big consumer magazine or anything.” Everyone quickly eyed my outfit, wondering if I was sincerely qualified or if fashion had been like, my dream, like my whole life. I hadn’t felt such strong stereotyping in months.
For the next 45 minutes, I regretted my internship decision. I cringed when other students talked about going to Africa and Mexico, wishing I had chosen a more noble activity. I was embarrassed.
After joking with my corporate buddies about how we created the table that “wanted to make money, not help the world,” I realized I am paying a hefty amount for this experience – to live without electricity? No, not me.
I am going abroad for an immeasurable opportunity, to experience Italian culture, to become more fluent in a foreign language, to savor my independence and to learn about myself and life. I am also paying for my résumé to set myself apart in a competitive industry. And I am fine with admitting that. It is an internship. I would hope it would help me with my career.
So, whatever abroad program you choose, choose for yourself. I could have argued with my parents and be packing my bag for Africa right now, but I didn’t. Travel to where you envision yourself and for whatever reason motivates you because when it comes down to your last 25 days in Oregon, you won’t care about being stereotyped.
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