Melissa Pena
Journal Entries
Aug 03rd 2023
Diary from my last day
Jul 16th 2023
Getting out of comfort zone
Jun 19th 2023
First week in Florence, Italy
May 16th 2023
It Eventually Comes
More About This Scholar
Pronouns: She/her
Home Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio
Expected Graduation: 2025
Major / Minor: Business Marketing
Study Abroad Location: Florence, Italy
“Hello” in your host country’s language: Ciao
Program Provider: CEA Study Abroad
Identity: Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation American
Future Career Goals: As I envision my future after I graduate, I am filled with excitement about working for a successful globally-minded company. Letting my imagination run free, I picture myself in a workplace where every day is different, the working environment is warm, and individuals of all races and cultures collaborate seamlessly. In the future, I aspire to be known as the go-to professional for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. I hope to bring a fresh, culturally sensitive outlook and approach marketing with a global perspective. This intern abroad program is a vital stepping stone towards achieving my goals: gain insight into Italian business marketing culture and eventually working for a global American or Mexican company.
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad: One of my top goals for my marketing internship in Italy is to take on challenging projects that will push me outside of my comfort zone, especially in the area of social media marketing. As social media is constantly evolving and each country has its own trends and strategies, I want to gain practical experience in developing and executing social media campaigns that align with the Italian market. I believe that by taking on challenging social media marketing projects, I can not only develop new skills but also demonstrate my value to my employer by contributing to their digital marketing efforts.
Another goal I have set for myself is to immerse myself in Italian culture as much as possible. Italy is known for its art, food, and history, and I want to experience it all. Trying new foods, visiting museums, volunteering in an organization to clean the city, and attending local events are just a few of the ways I plan to do this. I believe that by immersing myself in the local culture, I can develop a new perspective that will help me better understand the Italian market. Moreover, it will make my internship experience more enriching and memorable.
Furthermore, I also aim to improve my communication skills during this internship. I plan to learn Italian as much of the language as possible. This will not only help me communicate better with colleagues and friends, but it will also demonstrate my commitment to the culture. Additionally, I plan to practice my English, which is my second language, to the maximum. By being an extrovert and communicating effectively, I believe I can make the most of my internship experience and build strong relationships with my colleagues and future friends.
Home Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio
Expected Graduation: 2025
Major / Minor: Business Marketing
Study Abroad Location: Florence, Italy
“Hello” in your host country’s language: Ciao
Program Provider: CEA Study Abroad
Identity: Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation American
Future Career Goals: As I envision my future after I graduate, I am filled with excitement about working for a successful globally-minded company. Letting my imagination run free, I picture myself in a workplace where every day is different, the working environment is warm, and individuals of all races and cultures collaborate seamlessly. In the future, I aspire to be known as the go-to professional for connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. I hope to bring a fresh, culturally sensitive outlook and approach marketing with a global perspective. This intern abroad program is a vital stepping stone towards achieving my goals: gain insight into Italian business marketing culture and eventually working for a global American or Mexican company.
Top 3 Goals for your time abroad: One of my top goals for my marketing internship in Italy is to take on challenging projects that will push me outside of my comfort zone, especially in the area of social media marketing. As social media is constantly evolving and each country has its own trends and strategies, I want to gain practical experience in developing and executing social media campaigns that align with the Italian market. I believe that by taking on challenging social media marketing projects, I can not only develop new skills but also demonstrate my value to my employer by contributing to their digital marketing efforts.
Another goal I have set for myself is to immerse myself in Italian culture as much as possible. Italy is known for its art, food, and history, and I want to experience it all. Trying new foods, visiting museums, volunteering in an organization to clean the city, and attending local events are just a few of the ways I plan to do this. I believe that by immersing myself in the local culture, I can develop a new perspective that will help me better understand the Italian market. Moreover, it will make my internship experience more enriching and memorable.
Furthermore, I also aim to improve my communication skills during this internship. I plan to learn Italian as much of the language as possible. This will not only help me communicate better with colleagues and friends, but it will also demonstrate my commitment to the culture. Additionally, I plan to practice my English, which is my second language, to the maximum. By being an extrovert and communicating effectively, I believe I can make the most of my internship experience and build strong relationships with my colleagues and future friends.