INTERNeX Through the Looking Glass -Destination New Zealand

What’s up? Amiel here and well, it’s Hump Day! Time for another of INTERNeX’ destination! Last week I already talked about Germany and the USA and now we’re going to check out New Zealand.
But first a little inspiration from JRR Tolkien:

“Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

The first time you leave home is a bit scary. The second time you’ll probably still be little nervous. And after that? It’ll be hard for you to stop trying to leave.

Sooo, New Zealand. Many call this place the most beautiful country on earth. No wonder the producers of The Lord of Rings movies decided to film here.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city is also where INTERNeX has its second headquarters aside from Vancouver and this is where they also offer all three programs: Practicum, Hospitality and Ranchstay.
Since I live in Germany, New Zealand has always been that country on the opposite side of the world. That’s why as a traveler it’s one of the places I yearn to go. This increased even more when the movies of The Lord of the Rings came out. Which LotR fan doesn’t want to visit The Shire or the Mountains of Mordor?
However, New Zealand has way more to offer than that. For example biodiversity! Did you know that only 4% of the island’s population is human?

It’s a paradise with much to see and do. Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance travel there yet. Nevertheless, it’s definitely a place to put on your bucket list! A short vacation is most likely not enough to see everything you want to see though which is why I think the best way is to combine it with a practicum that enables you to experience New Zealand for a longer period of time. I’m doing the same right now for my stay in Vancouver and the memories I’m making here with all the people I got and get to meet are unforgettable!

Once again we’re at the end for today. Our next destination? Australia!

Cheers!

 

INTERNeX International Exchange – PR Coordinator
work + live + learn

pr@internexcanada.com – Email
www.internexworld.com – Web
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INTERNeX Through the Looking Glass -Destination USA

It’s Amiel, your friendly neighborhood practicum student. Did you guys know that the German share in the culturally diverse ancestry of the USA is the highest at 16%? I was pretty amazed when I saw the numbers. By the way African is the runner-up at 13%. Also, have a look at our last post: Destination Germany

I know you’ve all been waiting for it. So, here’s my new quote of the day: “What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.” By William Least Heat-Moon.
Take travelling as a chance to reinvent yourself and in the end you’ll return home a more complete person.

Let’s have a chat about the USA today. The land of possibilities. From rags to riches – the American Dream. Is it still true? Well, first you have to get there to find out! For Canadian students INTERNeX is able to give you a chance through the J-1 Internship Program. Check out all the program information on our website at www.internexworld.com/usa

Now, what can I tell you about the U.S.? In truth, you probably know more than I do even though I’m half American. I spent all my life in Germany close to the military bases though which probably didn’t really represent the authentic American way of life. All I can say is that the United States has countless possibilities!
Give it a shot and discover for yourself what people say about USA really is true.

For our next country let’s fly over to the southern hemisphere and across the pacific. Can you guess where we’re going? Exactly! It’s New Zealand!

Cheers!

 

INTERNeX International Exchange – PR Coordinator

work + live + learn

pr@internexcanada.com – Email
www.internexworld.com – Web
www.internexcanada.com – Blog
www.facebook.com/INTERNeX – Facebook
www.youtube.com/user/internexcanada – YouTube
www.twitter.com/INTERNeX_Canada – Twitter
www.instagram.com/internex_canada – Instagram
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INTERNeX Through the Looking Glass -Destination Germany

Amiel here. Mark Twain once said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” So, have a taste of that “Ignorance”!
The last couple weeks you’ve been reading about the main programs INTERNeX has to offer, those being Practicum, Hospitality and Ranchstay. But that was only half the deal. What about location?!
That’s right! In the upcoming posts I will be showing you what great places you’ll be able to explore with the help of INTERNeX.

First up we’ll begin with my home country. Drumroll please….Goooo Germany!

Germany is a really great country to live in for a few weeks, months or maybe even longer? You’ll learn so much and there are many old cities and castles and villages everywhere. You only have to drive for a few minutes and you’ll encounter another village right away. Very different to the vast open spaces of Canada!
As Germans we pride ourselves on being at the top of many things. We build the best cars, brew the best beer, bake the best bread and the list keeps going on and on. But there’s also so much culture. Germany has brought forth many of the greatest artist and minds in history. Famous figures like Mozart, Beethoven and Handel in classical music or scientists and philosophers like Albert Einstein and Immanuel Kant. Still not convinced? How about this? Germany is located pretty much at the center of Europe. This means you’ll be able to travel anywhere easily in a matter of a few hours. Weekend trips to amazing cities like Paris, Prague, Rome and Barcelona are no problem at all!

So yeah, that’s all well and good, what about the people though? First of all there’s no need to learn the German language. Most people will know English, especially the younger generations since it is already taught in most primary schools. Also, I often hear of the German stereotype being kind of rude and unsocial. The thing is we really don’t like beating around the bush. We like something? We’ll tell you directly – We don’t like something? We’ll tell you as well. I won’t go as far as saying that it’s because of some principal of honesty. It just often makes dealing with people easier. German efficiency!
The unsocial part is a little more difficult to explain. In Germany there is usually a big fat lineseparating private life and work. Even if you meet someone in their off-time, it usually takes a while for most to open up and consider you a friend. But once you’re in their “circle” – let’s just say we know how to have fun. We have lots of experience in partying hard. After all, you only need to be 16 years old to legally drink beer and wine.

I could keep going on forever conveying Germany’s awesomeness, however let’s leave it at this. If you’re interested you should definitely check it out. Living in Germany for a bit will be an experience you’ll never forget. By the way, many of the INTERNeX foreign participants are actually German. Why not meet them at one of our PuB NiGHTs or other events. Check us out on www.facebook.com/INTERNeX

Stay tuned for the next destination, Canada’s loving neighbor, the USA!

Cheers!

 

INTERNeX International Exchange – PR Coordinator

work + live + learn

pr@internexcanada.com – Email
www.internexworld.com – Web
www.internexcanada.com – Blog
www.facebook.com/INTERNeX – Facebook
www.youtube.com/user/internexcanada – YouTube
www.twitter.com/INTERNeX_Canada – Twitter
www.instagram.com/internex_canada – Instagram
www.flickr.com/photos/internex – Flickr

INTERNeX Through the Looking Glass -Hospitality Program

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” is what an author named Neale Donald Walsch once said.
It’s Amiel and I’m back once again! The quote above describes one of the core reasons why I began my practicum at INTERNeX. Sticking with what you know is safe and comfortable just as the name suggests. But it also leaves you with an extremely narrow path to travel in the journey of life. Try out new things, go to a different country and live there for a few months! Who knows? You might find out something profound about yourself.

Today we’re continuing with INTERNeX’ programs and will take a look at the Hospitality Program.
The process of this package is bit different from the Practicum Program I wrote about last week.

Just like with a practicum, it all begins with a conversation about what your personal goals are. Do you want to know how it is to live and work in another country? Improve your language skills? Learn about the service industry in other parts of the world? Or just meet people from different nationalities? The Hospitality Program should then peak your interest!By the way, this time you actually do get paid. You could say it’s similar to doing work & travel, but not quite. And here’s why: INTERNeX takes care of everything for you! All you have to do is show up at your chosen destination and dazzle everyone at the job interview the staff helped prepare. This still sounds like a lot of pressure right? But you needn’t be so worried. INTERNeX supports you at every single step you take in order to make you fully prepared, like with giving advice on useful interview techniques for example. Even in the off-chance that you won’t be taken in by the company on your first try, there will be more opportunities lined up for you.

The biggest difference between common work & travel programs and the Hospitality Program is the safety INTERNeX provides. With them you will be able to completely focus on what you want to achieve and enjoy the life of a world traveler! Also, after you start working the staff will stay in contact with you to make sure that you’re satisfied with your experience.
Hospitality offers a great opportunity to travel and gain important life skills you won’t be able to learn so easily elsewhere.
If you want more detailed information on the INTERNeX Programs check out www.internexworld.com

For the upcoming week I’ll be writing about the 3rd main program: Ranch Stay.

Buenos noches!

 

INTERNeX International Exchange – PR Coordinator

work + live + learn

pr@internexcanada.com – Email
www.internexworld.com – Web
www.internexcanada.com – Blog
www.facebook.com/INTERNeX – Facebook
www.youtube.com/user/internexcanada – YouTube
www.twitter.com/INTERNeX_Canada – Twitter
www.instagram.com/internex_canada – Instagram
www.flickr.com/photos/internex – Flickr

INTERNeX Through the Looking Glass -Advantages of Unpaid Internships

This is Amiel, back again for more. I found another quote I quite like: “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us” – by Anonymous
I can say with confidence that you’ll definitely miss out if you never take a step out of the place you grew up in.
Did you miss my last post about the INTERNeX Practicum Program? No worries! Here’s the link:
INTERNeX Through the Looking Glass -Practicum Program

Today’s topic: Advantages of unpaid internships.

So, this is what usually happens when you do a paid internship. In the company’s that you’re placed in mind you are being paid by them to do some work. Obviously, it’s a standard give-and-take relationship with a focus on what you can do for them which shouldn’t be the purpose of your placement.
Let’s say you’re a university/college/polytechnic student or just fresh out of high school. You either have no job related skills or just began acquiring them. However, you signed up for the internship to actually gain practical experience and learn about the work environment you’re placed in. Now, what is the company to do? They’re already paying you but you have hardly anything to give in return. The solution? You get to make coffee, go out on errand runs or stand at the copy machine, just to keep you busy. The bad thing about it is that you also feel obligated and can’t really complain since you’re being paid after all.

Unpaid internships aka practicums are a little different. You’re still in a give-and-take relationship after the company accepts you. But this time the company will feel obligated to give you something else in return since they are not already paying you. Instead, they’ll actually let you learn how to do some real work and have you participate in activities that might even impact the company. One of the reasons for this, is that they just don’t want to look bad by making you do boring day to day tasks for free.

It’s a “win-win” situation! Additionally, you have more control over the content of your practicum and freedom to speak up if you don’t like how your placement is going, seeing that the company doesn’t have the leverage in form of a paycheck over you.

The top priority for INTERNeX is to give you the best possible placement opportunity that also conforms to your personal goals and university requirements.

In the end, you’ll be much happier with the experiences you gained through an unpaid placement and the over 10,000 students INTERNeX has assisted over the past 15 years can attest to that.
A little doubtful? Check out the “My INTERNeX Experience” category on our Blog and videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/internexcanada/videos

Next week will be a little information on INTERNeX’ Hospitality Program.
Cheers!

 

INTERNeX International Exchange – PR Coordinator
work + live + learn

pr@internexcanada.com – Email
www.internexworld.com – Web
www.internexcanada.com – Blog
www.facebook.com/INTERNeX – Facebook
www.youtube.com/user/internexcanada – YouTube
www.twitter.com/INTERNeX_Canada – Twitter
www.instagram.com/internex_canada – Instagram
www.flickr.com/photos/internex – Flickr