Candidate Exposé – Mandy Janssen

My name is Mandy Janssen and I am a 21 year old student from The Netherlands. Currently I’m studying International Event Management at NHTV Breda in The Netherlands.

I’ve always wanted to experience a new culture and Canada and the US have always interested me. For my study I got the chance to do a practicum at INTERNeX itself as a PR-Coordinator for 7 months, so I decided to just take the jump and do it. Our school has had a relationship with INTERNeX for a few years now, so I came into contact with INTERNeX via the database of NHTV. My practicum is part of my university program and what I have learned until now is certainly very helpful for my future career.

For this job you need to be very social and a fun and open person. You need to be understanding of people and situations, but you also need to have good communication skills. As part of the PR-Team I join almost every activity and I always like to hang out with the other candidates and to be surrounded by people who are in the same situation as I am. So far I went on the Rocky Mountains trip, went to Victoria, Whistler and soon also Seattle. We did an escape room, went to a game of the BC Lions and many more things. The Rocky Mountains trip is definitely the most memorable thing I did. The nature there is so beautiful and since it was 2 days after I arrived it was a great first impression.

I rent a room in a shared house. I found it with the help of INTERNeX. At the beginning I was a bit overwhelmed by the size and the amount of people in the city but after a while you get used to it and it starts to feel like your second home. The people are really nice here and the food is amazing. I had some personal challenges since it was the first time for me living on my own. So figuring out the financial part was bit of a challenge but it’s getting better.

The first thing I will do when I come home is hugging my friends and family, eat a lot of Dutch food that I have missed and go out to the club with my friends.

This trip definitely inspired me to travel more. In the beginning I was a bit scared to be by myself for so long but hopefully my next adventure will take me to Scotland or Ireland for my 4th year practicum.

I would recommend the services of INTERNeX to everybody. INTERNeX is not just a company, but it’s a family that looks out for each other and helps each other where necessary. INTERNeX helped me find new friends and feel at home here in Vancouver.

-Mandy

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

215 days of action

215 days. That sounds like a long time. But I can tell you – my past 215 days passed by incredibly fast! Now, it is time to say goodbye to INTERNeX, Vancouver and of course, to you!

“Welcome to INTERNeX Canada!” How often did I hear this voice of our lovely orientation video? Many, many times! When I got to see the video for the first time in January, I did not know what kind of adventure was awaiting me. Every time I have seen the video from then on, I have met new people from all over the world. Some, I only saw once, but with others, I have spent so much time together. I am happy that I can call a whole bunch of them my friends now.

215 days – and I spent not one of them entirely at home. There was always something going on. At least one INTERNeX event per weekend and a long bucket list kept me busy. Skiing in winter was an absolute highlight for me. It’s awesome to leave the house in the morning in skiing clothes and just take a bus to the local mountains! Kelowna, Mount Seymour, Cypress Mountain, Whistler – all beautiful destinations to hit the slope. I am glad that I always had a cool crew with me who made these days even more fun.

But also when the snow had already melted, I spent much time outside. Hiking, biking, kayaking, ziplining, surfing… BC offers many great opportunities to do so and I enjoyed exploring pretty parks, beaches and lakes. I also loved to spend time in the city and to scratch the typical tourist attractions from my bucket list. The weekly INTERNeX events were always a fun way to spend the weekend and discover Vancouver together.

However, Wednesday became my favourite day of the week. Chats, drinks, bingo and karaoke – I loved meeting the gang with old and new members every Wednesday night. Not only during the week, but also in the weekends there has always been a reason to go for ‘a pint’ and discover Vancouver by night.

As part of the PR-gang, I was also responsible for organizing a couple of weekend trips for you. “Back to nature” was the motto of both of my trips. The first one brought us to Salt Spring Island in March, where we spent the weekend in a huge house in the middle of nowhere. I will not forget all the laughs we had in the cozy outdoor hot tub where we squeezed in 14 people and our cider tasting in a beautiful scenery.

The other island trip just happened in July – our adventure on Vargas Island. What a journey! Struggling with lighting up the campfire, looking up into the beautiful sky full of stars, eating loads of schnäcks, cheering for everyone who was able to stand on the surfboard for a second – these are memories I will take home with me. I hope you guys are going to wear your Schnäckqueen/king shirts with pride. And don’t forget: no matter what, we will always have Vargas!

During the past 215 days, I have learned a lot: about the polite Canadians and how they say ‘thank you’ when leaving the bus; the rules of hockey and of many international card games; the three different words you can use to order a beer in Swedish; how to dance to country songs and so much more. And of course, I have learned the most important rule as a future leisure manager: Expect the unexpected!

In- and outside the office, I enjoyed the past months to the fullest. I am very glad that I had the chance to experience my Canadian adventure with the people I met here. It would not have been the same without YOU! A huge thanks also to the INTERNeX team who made me feel welcome from day one. That was easy!

The first reunions are already planned and I am excited to meet you again somewhere in the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Brazil or maybe even back in Vancouver. Until then, make the most out of your time in this beautiful country.

See you soon!

– Kerstin

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

 

Candidate Exposé – Bart van Leeuwen

That guy on the picture? That is me. When I was born 23 years ago my parents decided to call me Bart. I am studying International Leisure Management back in the Netherlands. For this study I had to do a practicum and what would be a better place than INTERNeX?

I do my practicum at INTERNeX as the PR-Coordinator till March. My school had a list with all the options where to do your practicum abroad, and I got excited when I saw INTERNeX in Canada.

INTERNeX is a lot of fun. I like working with people from my age, so you easily make new friends here. For this job you have to be good at communication. Not only through all the social media channels, but also face-to-face with the candidates.

I live in a shared apartment in downtown. I found this room when I was searching on Craigslist. When I first arrived I was surprised about the sky train, which drove with no people behind the wheel. Also the long streets confused me sometimes. Now I am getting used to it, and I think Vancouver is very beautiful. Every 30 minutes with a bus you can be at a different place. From the beach to the mountain. To find a room was really a challenge. There are many rooms, but they are also gone very quickly. So I had to keep looking every day and hoping somebody reacted.

I went to all the pub nights and events. I think they are AWESOME! And a really good way to get to know the people more. The most memorable things I did in Canada so far are bungee jumping in Whistler, visiting Victoria, Seattle and the Rocky Mountains. The Rocky Mountain trip was my favourite event so far. It was my first weekend in Canada and I was surprised how beautiful Canada can be.

The first thing I will do when I come home is doing fun things with my friends. When you are here, you miss many things they do together. I want to tell them everything about the great time I am having here.

This trip absolutely inspired me to travel more. I have to do another practicum, and I first decided to do that in the Netherlands. But now I definitely want to go abroad again. INTERNeX was very helpful, and I would definitely recommend INTERNeX to other people.

– Bart

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

A new addition to the PR-Team!

To those of you wondering who the new girl was on the Salt Spring Island trip, hi! It was me! Some of you already got to know me a little, however, I will introduce myself to those who did not and those who would like to get to know me a little better.

My name is Angy. I am 19 years old and from The Netherlands, yes, the flat country known for its tulips and windmills. I do not want to ruin your vision of the country, but I can confirm you do not see those everywhere you go. Truth is, when you visit the Netherlands, you will most likely see rain. And bikes. Lots of bikes (we need something to keep us in shape, right?!). Time to get back on topic.

I am a third-year International Leisure Management student at NHTV Breda. The first semester of this school year I went on an exchange to London, so I already experienced what it is like to live abroad. However, I had never been outside of Europe. Going to North America has been a dream of mine since I was little (yes, this tall Dutchie was short too, once upon a time) and when I heard I could do my 6-month practicum in Vancouver, I was more than happy. Living and working here will be a challenge, one that I am excited to take!

I cannot wait to discover all that INTERNeX and Vancouver itself have to offer and I hope you want to be part of my journey!

I am looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow at PuBNiGHT at the Lamplighter!

– Angy

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com

The PR-team welcomes a new family member!

Guess what people: there is a new face when you enter the INTERNeX office. It is mine and in case you did not had the luck of meeting me yet, then here is your chance of getting to know me a little.

I am a 24-year old girl that listens to the name Nadine. I was born in Basel, a wonderful city in Switzerland. And before you get your hopes up: no, I do not ski or snowboard. Shocking and disappointing, I know. But hey! I am a big chocolate lover, so that makes all good between us, right?

2.5 years ago, I made my first personal big step and moved to the Netherlands. So I was switching from Swiss to Dutch cheese and from breathtaking mountains to absolute flatness. But to be more exactly regarding the geographical content, I moved to the lovely city Breda, where I pursue a study called International Leisure Management. This study is also the reason why you can find me now here in Vancouver doing a practicum for the next 7 months.

It is not the first time I find myself in Canada; I have been here for holidays in 2009 already. Wow, that was a very long time ago (I gotta feeling was THE hit then, feeling old yet?)! Being back means I am ready for new adventures and to create tons of new memories. I really hope you will support me in doing so!

I am looking forward to see you all at our PuBNiGHT tomorrow at the Beaver!

– Nadine

INTERNeX International Exchange
International Village,
Suite 2077, 2079 – 88 West Pender Street
Vancouver, Canada -V6B 6N9-
Web: http://www.internexcanada.com
Email: pr@internexcanada.com