ATLANTA—The London Experience allows Georgia State Honors College students from all majors to intern in London and other parts of the United Kingdom. The program’s global approach helps interns acquire an international perspective and gain valuable career insight. Available internships span a wide range of industries, including public policy, fashion, the arts, media, sciences and more. This summer, six Honors students traveled to London to intern with major companies, firms, and think tanks in the city. Read more about the personal and professional growth students encountered abroad in the paragraphs below.
Shelby Bock
Shelby expanded her global experience as an EMEA marketing intern with IMAX where she assisted with brand and film campaigns and cinema openings in European, Middle Eastern and African markets. Her work with large and diverse markets allowed Shelby to study the operations of international corporations, as well as marketing and public relations campaigns. Her professional development, which remains a highlight of her resume, was matched by the opportunity to become a “well-rounded person.” “My favorite part would definitely have to be the chance to travel. I wanted to make the most of my time in Europe, so I visited five total countries during the summer—some of which I explored with my fellow London Experience interns,” Shelby said.
Carissa Lavin
A public policy major at Georgia State, Carissa interned with DTI Global in London. She worked with major departments in the company and aided in courtroom set-up and break-down, evidence recovery and handling, and client interactions. “My favorite part of the internship experience was that I was entrusted with legitimate projects and responsibilities. I worked with an amazing team that was eager to involve me in their work,” Carissa said. Through the London Experience, Carissa explored other cultures and traveled to several major European cities. “I would recommend the London Experience to other students who are anxious to be immersed in new and exciting cultural and professional experiences,” she said.
Jenna Medcalf
Jenna interned with Instinctif Partners, an international business communications consultancy, in their Public Policy division. An international studies major, her placement with Instinctif suited Jenna as it allowed her to incorporate her favorite aspects of her major into the internship. Some of Jenna’s routine roles included: sector-based media monitoring; researching and writing biographies of Members of Parliament for client use; compiling a weekly tracker detailing sector-based parliamentary updates for clients; maintaining a database of upcoming think tank events in London; and compiling weekly updates on American politics for her colleagues. “My favorite part of the experience was being able to live and work like a Londoner and having the opportunity to meet and develop friendships with an incredible group of people. I gained invaluable professional experience and learned life lessons along the way,” Jenna said.
Dalton Muzyka
Dalton interned at PwC’s Global Crisis Centre, where he worked for managing partner Melanie Butler. Dalton maintained a variety of roles helping government agencies, non-profit organizations, and enterprises prepare for, respond to, and recover from crisis events. Dalton networked with prominent officials in London and was even invited to the House of Lords on behalf of the Libyan British Business Council. “My favorite part of this experience was the opportunity to work for a PwC partner on high-profile projects,” Dalton said. “I would absolutely recommend the London experience to someone else. Not only was the work experience I gained extremely valuable and fun; I enjoyed the sense of independence I gained from figuring out how to make my way in a new country,” he said.
Luke Owens
An economics and finance double major, Luke completed a summer internship with Z/Yen Group, a think tank focused on blockchain technology. Luke worked alongside Dr. Michael Mainelli, who is credited with creating the first digital map of the world. Luke said "In the City of London, Michael knows everyone. He has served as an Alderman (basically a city councilman) for the City of London for a number of years and has met with royalty, billionaires, and celebrities from all over the world. He holds these accolades, yet has generously taken a Georgia State Honors student since the London program began.” Luke maintains that traveling and working in Europe are markedly different experiences: “It will push you. It’s not a study abroad. It’s a job… It will provide you with some of the most memorable experiences of your young life and help prepare you for what’s next – adulthood,” he said.
Leila Sadri
Leila served as a media intern for DigitasLBi, a marketing company where she worked on rebranding a high-class bank. Leila worked alongside creative, technical, and strategy teams to create content for their client. Her responsibilities within the company increased throughout the summer, and eventually, Leila shadowed project managers and led projects of her own. She acknowledges the independence and confidence that comes with experience in her field: “I didn’t know I could do something like that on my own, but after having done it I realize I’m more capable to do a lot in my life that I was timid about previously,” Leila said. “I know it’s really cheesy to say, but this experience really shaped me. I loved the opportunity to explore London on my own [and] to make new friends. I’m so thankful to the Honors College for this experience,” she said.