It Eventually Comes

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Melissa Pena

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Melissa Pena

<i>Pronouns:</i> She/her <i>Home Institution:</i> University of Texas at San Antonio <i>Expected Graduation:</i> 2025 <i>Major / Minor:</i> Business Marketing <i>Study Abroad Location:</i> Florence, Italy <i>"Hello" in your host country's language:</i> Ciao <i>Program Provider:</i> CEA Study Abroad <i>Identity:</i> Hispanic/Latinx, First-Generation American <i>Future Career Goals:</i> 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. <i>Top 3 Goals for your time abroad:</i> 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.

May 15, 2023

In just a week, I’ll be heading to Florence, Italy for my marketing internship. I can’t help but feel stressed about packing, money disbursing before the start date and buying everything I need before I leave. It’s tough trying to balance it all with spending quality time with my family and friends since I am staying a week in Mexico, my first home.

I have to admit, the whole process of applying to intern abroad has been overwhelming and caused me a lot of stress. Over the last months there were moments when I felt unmotivated and frustrated. Moments where I felt so close to my goal, but not quite there. Now, as I look back, I realize how far I have already come and how many steps I had to take to be where I am today.

Here I am, the present version of myself that does not know the future experiences, perspectives, and people that will shape my journey. Although I don’t know what is waiting for me, I want to give myself a tight hug and whisper, “I’m proud of you.” I value the effort and heart I’ve put into reaching this point, just a week away from what I have been working for months and months.

The feeling of being so close but not quite there, I can say with confidence, it eventually comes.

Melissa Pena