Chantal during her internship in London, UK

Type of Internship

Institute for Optimum Nutrition

What did you think of the city?

London is a true global city. There are many international students, and even at my internship placement, there were many international colleagues. It’s easy to make connections because you can travel through the city very quickly. Everything is clearly signposted—whether you’re walking, cycling, or using the bus or tube. No day in London is a “quiet” day; there is always something to do or experience. You can completely be yourself here, and no one will look at you strangely. The nightlife in London starts on Monday and doesn’t end until Sunday.

What did you think of the internship?

The internship was incredibly educational. The company gave me a lot of freedom to develop what I wanted. There were great projects I could participate in, and I was well guided throughout.

What was the most special experience you had?

In the first few weeks, I stayed in a residence run by nuns. This was a very special experience. There were fixed breakfast and dinner times, and during the week, you had to be back inside by 10:30 PM and by 11:00 PM on weekends. It really felt a bit outdated, but I did meet many other girls there.

Do you have any tips for students?

When you’re here for a while, open a bank account at HSBC or another bank. It’s wiser to transfer a large amount to your English account than to keep paying with your Dutch debit card. I also had issues with my Rabobank Maestro card, which wasn’t accepted everywhere, so in the beginning, I often had to pay with a credit card.

What rating would you give your experience?

8.5