Thijs during his internship in Miami

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

My name is Thijs. I’m from Etten-Leur, the Netherlands, and an International Business and Management student at Avans Breda. At the moment I’m doing my internship in Miami, Florida, at an entertainment management group that provides entertainment services such as DJ's, lighting and performers for luxurious events. I’m working very close with the sales and operations department to improve efficiency and make sure the client’s event will be unforgettable. 

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

When I first got off the plane, it still hadn't really sunken in that I would be spending my next six months in Miami. But of course the first thing I noticed was the beautiful weather over here!

What was the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and the USA?

Since there aren't a lot of differences between the US and the Netherlands, there weren't any real “shocking” things. It’s mostly small things you have to get used to such as the dates (mm/dd/yyyy instead of dd/mm/yyyy), the time (AM and PM) and of course the imperial units instead of the metric units.

What does your usual working day look like?

My usual working day: I wake up at 7.30 AM to go to the gym where I do some cardio and then have breakfast afterwards. I arrive at the office at 10 AM. I always have my own list of tasks to work on which is different every day. Around 1 PM we go out to get some lunch, and the working day ends at 5 PM. After that I go to the gym again to do strength training. When I get home I either have some school assignment to work on or I relax at the pool.

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

The working atmosphere is very relaxed. We see each other more as family than actual colleagues. Everyone knows what is expected from them, and we try to help each other as much as possible, with work and personal things.

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

When I’m busy all day I don't really feel homesick. Most of the times it kicks in when I’m doing something fun and then you wish you could share that with your family/friends. Another example: my 15 year old sister was selected recently to play in the Dutch national softball team under 16, and she started her season in the highest division in the Netherlands as the youngest player in the league. I had to miss all that, and that can be hard sometimes. But luckily we have amazing technology which allows us to video chat on a regular base. So having regular contact with family and friends is what keeps me going.

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

Yes I do feel at home in the US. Mostly because of the awesome colleagues I have, and living on campus at the university makes socializing a lot easier. I also really like the way of living here in Miami. Everyone works hard, but are also very relaxed because they have the perfect balance between work and pleasure (at least the people I’ve met so far).

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.)

Most of the people living in Miami are from Latin America, and they are all great people. They’re very kind, take good care of you, but most importantly they are really fun to be around! They won’t hesitate to invite you for dinner, a BBQ or just for some drinks.

Describe the inhabitants of the new country in three words.

Positive, hospitable, relaxed.

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 have learned a couple of things so far. Firstly, I’ve become more independent and responsible by living on my own. Secondly, I’ve learned what kind of jobs I can fulfil after my graduation. And last but not least, I’ve learned a lot about being an entrepreneur from my boss. He really is a great mentor!