Eline during her amazing PR internship in New York City!

1. Hey! Where are you from? Where do you study/live/work?
I’m originally from Friesland, and I moved to Doorn near Utrecht when I was 17! I studied at TMO Fashion Business School there for three years, and six weeks ago I moved to New York to do my graduation internship. I’m doing a sales internship at a high-end designer showroom.

2. What was the first thing you thought when you arrived in New York?
I was completely overwhelmed. I took the subway straight from the plane and only saw New York when I walked out of Penn Station. I saw all the lights, the Empire State Building, the New Yorker... That’s when I really thought: now it’s all about to begin!

3. What is the most shocking difference between the Netherlands and New York?
The most annoying difference is definitely the time difference. It really makes it hard to stay in touch with people back home. What also shocked me was the extreme heat that lasted for four weeks. I was actually happy when a hurricane was approaching — I didn’t have a drop of sweat left!

4. What does your day look like?
I have breakfast in the morning with all the Dutch girls at the Webster. I start work at 9, and no day is the same. Right now it’s Fashion Week, so buyers come in all day, I model jewelry, take down orders, and keep the showroom tidy. Normally I handle all the aftersales, and soon we’ll be visiting stores to review the collection and give sales training. At 5 p.m., I walk home and have dinner with my roommates. In the evenings and on weekends, we’re full-on tourists, working our way through a three-page bucket list!

5. Could you ever build a life in New York?
Absolutely. Every day here is so special and overwhelming — I don’t think I could ever get enough of it. I’ve also gotten used to the crowds and the noise, so there’s no reason I couldn’t build a life here.

6. Have you ever felt homesick? How did you deal with it?
I didn’t feel homesick at all the first few weeks, but last week it started to hit me a bit. The time difference makes it hard to stay in touch with home, and of course, not everything always goes smoothly. I talk about everything with the other girls I’ve met here — they totally understand and relate. We do a lot of fun things together, but we also help each other through the tough moments.

7. What’s a typical custom you wouldn’t easily find in the Netherlands?
Here, ‘shared dining’ is a big thing. When you go to a restaurant, you often get huge portions that you can share with two or three people. Honestly, the Netherlands should adopt this — you get to try way more dishes this way.

8. What’s the best thing you’ve experienced during your stay in New York?
As tough and busy as it was, Fashion Week was incredible! I got to attend press events, fashion shows, and parties. It’s a world that’s completely new to me, and it was so cool to experience it firsthand. Our trips to Coney Island and Washington definitely make the top three as well.

9. Give us tips on who to befriend abroad. The Russians? The Irish? The Americans themselves?
I said beforehand: I’m not going to befriend Dutch people! Might as well stay home, right? But I have to admit — it’s really nice to hang out with other Dutchies, to speak your native language now and then, and to feel that sense of familiarity. I’ve also met a lot of Americans, and that’s been great too! I think a mix of both is ideal.

10. Describe the people of New York in three words.
Social, helpful, but always in a hurry. During my first few days, I was lost so many times and had no idea how the subway worked, but I never even had to ask for help — people just offered. And I’ve lost count of how many compliments I’ve received on my outfit or my (blonde, Dutch) hair. Another very typical thing: I’ve never seen a New Yorker wait for a green light. Though I must admit… after six weeks, I don’t either!

11. What have you learned from your time abroad? What was the most valuable lesson? Details, we want details!
Not just from the experience itself, but also all the preparations beforehand — you become so independent! You have to arrange everything yourself, stay alert, and be assertive. I had a massive jetlag that first week, but I still had to go out and get my American phone number, open a bank account, apply for my Social Security number, etc. If something went wrong or I was upset, it was usually the middle of the night in the Netherlands — so I had to solve it on my own. It makes you independent and mature before you even realize it.

The most important thing I’ve learned during my internship is that networking is everything. You have to show your face, make friendly conversation, and leave a lasting impression. You can be amazing at what you do, but without the right connections — especially in the U.S. — it’s hard to grow or land a job. In the beginning, I was still feeling it out and sometimes didn’t even feel like speaking English anymore, but I quickly realized how many more doors open when you leave a good impression!