Margot during her internship in Bristol

Hey! Who are you and where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?

My name is Margot, I am 21 years old and I’m from Ommen (the Netherlands)! Since 2014, I study Media, Information and Communication at Saxion in Enschede. This year, I did my six month internship in Bristol, the United Kingdom. My host company is specialised in creating online education methods, for example they create e-learnings for English universities.

What was the first thing you thought when you got off the plane? (bus/train/car)

When I got off the plane, I immediately looked where I had to go. At home I thought about taking a cab and luckily this was very well arranged at the airport. I didn’t realise yet that I would be spending my next six months here. That realisation came once I had decorated my room and had all my stuff. 

What was the most shocking difference between your home country and your new country?

Actually, there is not really something to name that was very different from England and the Netherlands. I didn’t experience a real cultural shock! The English are very polite and say ‘sorry’ for everything. And in some pubs and restaurants you have to order your food and drinks at the bar.

What does your usual working day look like?

During the week I always get up at 7am. I stayed in a student accommodation (that looked like a hotel), including breakfast, an own bathroom and kitchen, and a gym downstairs! Some mornings I did some exercise before I went to work. From 9am to 5pm I worked for my internship company, did some groceries shopping afterwards and went home. Sometimes I would see a movie during the evening or would hang out with friends.

What's the working-atmosphere at your internship-company like?

Very relaxed! Everything is discussable and nothing is too crazy, not that I know of anyway. Therefore I felt at home quite soon.

Did you ever feel homesick? How did you cope with this?

Actually, I’ve never really experienced homesickness. I did prefer to be at home in some occasions, but those moments were very rare. Doing nice things with friends helps!

Did you feel at home in your new country? Why (not)?

Bristol became my second home! The fact that I got to know many nice people and that I speak the language is great. You’ll feel like an English person in no time!

Please give us tips about who to befriend when living abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Chileans? (Honestly, we want to know some gossip about other internationals you’ve met.)

The English are very open and social, and that’s great. Especially in pubs they think it’s nice if you share a few words with them. It also helps that they love beers and that they’re at the pub around 8pm already. Around midnight you can carry them home…

Describe the inhabitants of the new country in three words.

Social, relaxed, open.

What did you learn from your experience abroad? Was it the loving community you liked? The cheap cocktails? The overwhelming nature? Or was the experience less helpful than expected? Details, we want details!

I wouldn’t want to miss my time in Bristol! I met friends I’m still in touch with and learned a lot. Although I do believe that people have a different image about going abroad for their internship. It’s not like a half year of studying where you can go out every night – that’s not doable when you work 40 hours a week. Working abroad half a year is super, but in a different way! And when you’re in Bristol, drink a cocktail in a pub. When in the Netherlands everyone drinks a glass of wine, they prefer cocktails here.