LOGO-InternGroup-01-1
    • Our programs
      • In-person
      • Blended
      • Remote
      • Digital Nomad
      • How it works
      • What's included
      • Program fees & start dates
        • Compare program fees
        • Financing & financial aid
      • Academic credit
      • By season
        • Winter internships 2025
        • Spring internships 2026
        • Summer internships 2025
        • Fall internships 2025
      • Who you are
        • High school student
        • Gap year student
        • University/college student
        • Graduate
        • MBA/Masters student
        • Career changer
        • Looking for part time options
        • US citizen / international student in the US
    • Career fields
      • Architecture
      • Art, photography & graphic design
      • Business
      • Consulting
      • Engineering
      • Entrepreneurship
      • Environmental science & sustainability
      • Fashion
      • Finance & accounting
      • Government & politics
      • Hospitality, events & tourism
      • Human resources
      • IT & computer science
      • Journalism, publishing & media
      • Language & translation
      • Law
      • Music & performing arts
      • NGOs & non-profits
      • PR & marketing
      • Social work
      • Television & film
      • Example internship roles
      • Example host organizations
    • Destinations
      • Virtual/Remote
      • Europe
        • London
        • Dublin
        • Madrid
      • USA
        • New York
      • Asia
        • Bangkok
        • Tokyo
        • Hong Kong
      • Australia
        • Melbourne
      • Latin America
        • Medellin
    • Alumni stories
    • Learn More
      • About us
      • Why The Intern Group
      • Our awards
      • In the press
      • Our team
      • Join an info session
      • The Intern Group Learning Experience
        • Learning events
        • Learning platform
      • Resources
        • Blog
        • FAQ
        • Insurance
      • For parents
      • For educational institutions
      • For partner university students
      • For program alumni
      • For employers
      • Contact us
    • Apply now
       
      Login
    Living an internship abroad 1 min read

    Interning in Colombia: Reflections 2 Years Later

    Admin
    The suburbs of Medellin, Colombia, with view of lush green hills and mountains.
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Share
    • Email
    • Copy

    Star intern Kristine de Bever explains how interning in Colombia continues to impact life now that she’s back home in Australia.

     

    I first set foot in Medellín two years ago. All I could see on my ride into the city from the Rionegro airport was tall grass and luscious green trees, with banana trees here and there. That is until the winding road descended into the Aburrá valley, which cradles the city of Medellín.

    I tried to adjust to my new life as fast as possible. I observed the unique Paisa Spanish spoken by my colleagues and tried to adjust my European Spanish to be more like the local accent. I learned many of the uniquely Colombian expressions. Some, like ‘qué pena contigo’ I learned to use correctly, but will never quite be able to explain to other people. Arepas and Amazonian fruits quickly took up a recurring space in my fridge. I started drinking my coffee black. My idea of a weekend well spent became a visit to green areas, flower farms, and traditional Antioquian villages located in the mountains outside the city.

     

    My Internship Experience

    I spent four months interning in Colombia for the Under Secretary of Tourism at the City Hall of Medellín. The first few days of March I spent interning as a member of the delegation of Medellín and Antioquia at ANATO Vitrina Turística, the biggest annual tourism trade show in Colombia. After my internship, I spent five weeks exploring Colombia. Some of my favorite places include the Atlantic coast, the Guajira desert, the Coffee Triangle, the less-frequented city of Cali, and the chilly mountains of Nariño. After nearly six months, I left Colombia on a cool April day in Bogotá.

     The architecture of the mall in Medellin.

    The Things I Learned About Myself Abroad

    I returned home to Brisbane, Australia. Almost two years later, I still find myself reminiscing and missing Medellín. Along with the fond memories my internship left me, it also changed me.

    For one, I have returned with improved interpersonal skills. In my work and studies, I see positive changes in how I approach teamwork, work with people from other cultures, and talk with confidence at networking events. Moreover, I now easily connect with Latin Americans who call Brisbane home. The bonds you forge with Colombia and Latin culture persist well beyond your time as an intern because you will have a little something in common with Latin Americans when you meet them in your home country. An appreciation for the place they come from forms a solid foundation for friendships. I, for one, am now involved in organizing events for the Latin American Student Association of my university in Australia.

    I have also become more willing to take risks and work hard to make them pay off. Compared to the challenge of taking on a position in an office in a faraway place, where everyone speaks a foreign language, very few challenges are daunting in your home country. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is something that we all end up doing to further our careers. That is why it is important to adapt to new tasks and environments.

    Colombia, by taking me out of my comfort zone, has put me in a better position to persevere in challenging projects and dynamic work environments. At the end of my first semester as a postgraduate business student, I was chosen to be part of a four-person team representing my university, and Australia, at a business case competition in the United States. The case competition focused on international human resources management and my experience in multicultural workplaces helped me create insightful links between business strategy and managing diverse workforces.

    Interning abroad is a great character-building experience. It pushes you to be open-minded, and adaptable, connect with other cultures and grow professionally. In the end, I found a home-away-from-home in Medellín, made lifelong friends, learned to celebrate Christmas the Colombian way, was in a work environment that truly challenged me, and I have made many fond memories that I carry with me at all times.

     

    Now that you know about the impact interning in Colombia has had on Kristine’s life, apply now for your own internship abroad.

    Ready to realize your potential?

    Apply now

    Related Posts

    News 4 min read Ask the intern: What should my aims be for my international internship?
    Read More
    A view of Madrid's skyline
    News 2 min read Alumni tips: Internship in Madrid
    Read More

    Subscribe via email

    Subscribe to get insights sent directly to your inbox.

    LOGO-InternGroup-white-1
    • Candidates
      • Internship programs
      • How it works
      • Destinations
      • Career fields
      • Program fees
      • Apply
    • More
      • Companies
      • Universities
      • Academic credit
      • Learning Experience
      • About us
      • DE&I statement
      • Careers
    • Contact us
      • UK: +44 20 7193 4188
      • US: +1 (718) 878-6393
      • AUS: +61 2 8011 3305
      • email: info@theinterngroup.com
    Follow
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Youtube
    • TikTok
    ©2023 The Intern Group. All rights reserved.
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy