Student Stories: The Prague Visitor

Here’s a story from Helen Lee, a student who participated in a study abroad program in Prague where she interned for The Prague Visitor.

“Looking back on an entire semester abroad can be overwhelming. How could I possibly sum up everything I learned and experienced? With less than two weeks left in Prague, I feel anxious about leaving my life here behind and returning to the states.

In around four months, I’ve adjusted to a semi-Czech way of life. I am quiet on public transportation, I avoid eye contact, and I don’t feel the need to smile at every person I pass. I have my favorite coffee shops, my classic gelato scoops, and I have an established daily schedule. And as it becomes more and more alarmingly clear that I’m approaching a week of “lasts” – last day of class, last day at my internship, last weekend trip – I feel a looming dread.

I learned a lot about myself here. We all heard the clichés before we arrived in Prague: study abroad will change your life! You learn so much! You gain independence! And as much as I’d like to stray away from these clichés, they only proved to be true. I grew immensely as an intern for The Prague Visitor. I’ve learned how to manage myself in a professional environment. I have become more confident in my abilities and am more inclined to speak up with ideas I have. I’ve learned a great deal about the magazine industry and its place in the overall media spectrum. And after past internships at large companies, it was a nice change to work for a small office.

One of the most important lessons I learned is that it is possible to find work you are passionate about. Over the years, it’s been hard to be a journalism student and hear left and right about the decline of journalism. I’ve considered switching to public relations and communications more times than I can count. But after spending my semester doing work I love, I am re-committed to pursuing journalism work in the future.”

Listen to Helen’s podcast from The Prague Visitor where she further recounts her experience studying and working abroad.